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Development is ramping up in Zephyrhills

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Except for some weeks throughout March and April, the COVID-19 hasn’t halted much new development within the City of Zephyrhills.

That’s the word from Zephyrhills Planning Director Todd Vande Berg, who outlined a number of citywide projects during an East Pasco Networking Group virtual meeting on June 23.

Perhaps the most notable setback, Vande Berg said, involved a slight delay in court installations at the forthcoming Sarah Vande Berg Tennis and Wellbeing Center, due to some extra safety and travel precautions taken from Miami-based construction crews.

However, the nearly $5 million project on Simons Road is proceeding well, with a grand opening scheduled for mid-to-late August.

Zephyrhills Planning Director Todd Vande Berg was the featured guest speaker at an East Pasco Networking Group virtual meeting on June 23. (File)

Aside from that, the planning director said, “I haven’t heard of a lot of slowdown, at least in our community.”

Underscoring the point is the myriad projects and initiatives Zephyrhills has in the pipeline — mainly in regards to new residential construction.

Larger single-family developments underway include The District at Abbott’s Square, Zephyr Lakes, Hidden River, Links at Calusa Springs, plus various expansions to the Silver Oaks and Silverado communities, respectively.

In other words, the city’s real estate market is “very hot right now,” Vande Berg said.

He explained, “I don’t know where all these people are coming from, but these housing subdivisions are selling homes for over $300,000 with HOAs and CDDs. I wasn’t sure how that’d work in Zephyrhills, but you drive up to Silverado and before the lot infrastructure is completed, you’re seeing a ‘Sold’ sign, so it is amazing.

“Even through this COVID-19 environment the residential housing…has really stayed very strong, which helps the city from a budget and revenue standpoint.”

Vande Berg added another 550-plus residential development is being planned around the new tennis center and should be underway a year or so from now.

The Lennar project will feature one-story villas, two-story townhomes and three different lot sizes. “It’s going to be a unique project,” Vande Berg said, adding, “we’re just beginning the due process on that.”

The planning director touched on a number of commercial developments, too.

Much is contingent on the addition of two signalized intersections on U.S. 301, Pretty Pond Road and Medical Arts Courts.

Funding for the $2.3 million project is in the state budget for this fiscal year. The aim of the traffic signal project — already out to bid — is to speed up potential commercial development in the northeast and northwest corners of U.S. 301 and Pretty Pond, and to improve access to the Merchants Square and Townview Square shopping centers.

The project will “spur a lot of development” along the intersection, Vande Berg said.

Additionally, a slew of light industrial businesses have recently set up shop at Park Place Center — an industrial park situated on Chancey Road south of Skydive City. That development is funded by a group of local investors.

“There’s a lot of activity going on in there,” Vande Berg said. “If you get a chance, go back there and drive around in that industrial park and you’ll see everything that’s going on in there.

Zephyrhills will join more than 100 other cities and water treatment facilities across the country in a federal lawsuit that is going after various companies that manufactured firefighting foam containing chemicals found to contaminate water wells. (File)

“We’re always excited when we have new, quality industrial manufacturing coming in, that creates jobs, they don’t require a lot of city services, and they generate a lot of ad valorem revenue for the city, so it’s always very positive, and you see that happening, to help diversify our community economy, and just good business overall,” Vande Berg said.

Another visible construction project underway is the rebuild of Jerry’s Crystal Bar on Gall Boulevard. The bar had been a community landmark downtown for over 60 years, until a fire destroyed the building last May.

The project will fall under the requirements of the city’s form-based code for the U.S. 301/Gall Boulevard corridor area, whereby the facade is aligned right up to the street with a wide sidewalk and all parking is situated behind the bar.

The planning director described the new building as “a big improvement” from beforehand, adding future projects within the corridor will be required to meet form-based code — a tool used to regulate new development in a manner compatible with the community’s vision.

For example, Vande Berg noted a builder is looking to erect townhomes on Seventh Street, so those structures likewise would be situated right up to the street with backlot parking.

Vande Berg observed of the zoning regulations: “You’ve probably seen that in other communities where it’s been pretty successful, so we’re doing the same thing here.”

Another anticipated project moving along is a new 14,000-square-foot Veterans Affairs clinic, at 378727 Eiland Blvd. Construction broke ground last June, but work halted after last-minute changes to modify the facility’s design and layout.

Those site plan changes were recently approved by the city’s review committee, Vande Berg said, “so they should be getting along with that pretty soon, we anticipate.”

In the arena of new eateries, Zephyrhills is set to land Chipotle and Chick-fil-A franchises in the near future.

Chipotle has been approved by the city for a small commercial outparcel in the Zephyr Commons Shopping Center and construction should begin soon, Vande Berg said.

Chick-fil-A, meanwhile, will be located at the northeast corner of U.S. 301 and Pretty Pond Road. The franchise is likely waiting until the new traffic light project is a go before construction gets underway, Vande Berg said.

Some other updates and happenings for Zephyrhills the planning director shared:

  • An extension of Kossik Road is complete, to service the Abbott Park residential development.
  • The city is working with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) on continuing State Road 56 east of U.S. 301 with four-lane alignment alternatives, as well as one-way pairs on Gall Boulevard.
  • The city received a $15,000 grant from Duke Energy toward the long-range Zephyrhills Industrial Corridor master plan.
  • The city has applied for a $15,000 grant from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) to revamp the housing element of its comprehensive plan.

Published July 08, 2020

Commissioners elected in Dade City, San Antonio

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It came more than two months later than expected, but voters in Dade City and San Antonio finally had the chance to head to the polls to elect a new group of city leaders.

The Pasco County municipal elections took place on June 30, rescheduled from the original April 14 date because of COVID-19.

A total of six people were newly elected or re-elected to serve the respective municipalities.

In Dade City, the Dade City Commission will see one familiar face and two new fresh ones on its five-member legislative body.

Incumbent Jim Shive retained his Group 3 seat for a third term, receiving 58.14% of votes to defeat challenger Matthew Shane Wilson.

Shive, a retired government employee, has served on the Dade City Commission since first being elected in 2012.

Knute Nathe garnered 56.72% of votes, defeating Ann Cosentino for the Group 4 seat.

Nathe is an attorney with McClain Alfonso P.A., who also serves on the city’s planning board. He will take over for Nicole Deese Newlon, who did not seek re-election after serving a single four-year term.

The closest race came in Group 5, where Normita Woodard received 52.46% of votes, edging out Christopher King.

Woodard is a secretary at Lacoochee Elementary School. She will assume a seat held by Eunice Penix since 1993. Penix opted not to seek re-election.

In San Antonio, five candidates vied for three open seats on the San Antonio City Commission.

Unlike the head-to-head matchups of other municipalities, the top three overall vote-getters earn commission seats and serve two-year terms.

Incumbents Elayne Bassinger and Sarah Schrader won re-election, while the third open seat went to John Vogel II. Vogel II earned the highest percentage of votes (27.62%) to beat out challengers Joseph Couture and Dacia Wadsworth Mitchell.

Voter turnout was a combined 20.26% for the municipalities — 1,036 ballots cast among 5,114 registered voters. All municipal races are nonpartisan.

For more information, visit PascoVotes.com.

Pasco County municipal election results

City of Dade City
Group 3 Commissioner

  • Jim Shive — 58.14% (475 votes)
  • Matthew Shane Wilson — 41.86% (342 votes)

Group 4 Commissioner

  • Knute Nathe — 56.72% (439 votes)
  • Ann Cosentino — 43.28% (335 votes)

Group 5 Commissioner

  • Normita Woodard — 52.46% (405 votes)
  • Christopher King — 47.54% (367 votes)

City of San Antonio
San Antonio City Commissioner

  • John Vogel II — 27.62% (132 votes)
  • Elayne Bassinger — 24.69% (118 votes)
  • Sarah Schrader — 21.34% (102 votes)
  • Joseph Couture — 13.18% (63 votes)
  • Dacia Wadsworth Mitchell — 13.18% (63 votes)

Published July 08, 2020

Pandemic cancels Rattlesnake Fest

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Organizers of the 54th annual Rattlesnake Festival and the 42nd annual Rattlesnake Run have called the festivities off this year because of concerns about COVID-19.

The Thomas Promise Foundation Board of Directors, which assumed ownership of the festival four years ago, recently announced its decision to cancel this year’s event.

“We felt it was better to act with caution due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Joe Simmons, executive director of The Thomas Promise Foundation, said in a news release. “Cases of coronavirus are on the upswing in Florida and who knows where we will be in October? Therefore, with the safety of our vendors and community paramount, we will cancel this year’s festival and plan for an exceptional Rattlesnake Festival in 2021.”

David and Howard Bellamy performed for a sold-out crowd on Oct. 18, 2019, at the Rattlesnake Festival. It was their first performance at the event since 1968. (File)

The board is committed to resuming the venerable festival and the popular Rattlesnake Run in 2021, Thomas said, in the release.

This is the first time the festival will not be held since its inception in 1967.

The Thomas Promise Foundation provides six weekend meals to food-insecure children. It has continued its mission during the COVID-19 crisis, feeding nearly 2,000 children each week.

Net proceeds from the festival are used to support the Thomas Promise Foundation’s food program.

“While COVID-19 has created significant uncertainty for all of us, the continued generosity of individuals and local businesses has enabled us to maintain our summer feeding program,” Simmons said. “This is a critical time for many families, unlike anything they have ever faced. We have a lot on our plate making sure kids have something on their plate.”

The Rattlesnake Festival and Rattlesnake Run are long-held traditions, first held at San Antonio City Park before moving in recent years to the Pasco County Fairgrounds.

Organizers for the Rattlesnake Festival have changed through the years, but the goals of providing a place where the community can gather and have fun, while raising money to support a good cause — have remained constant through the years.

Those who would like to contribute to help feed children can reach Simmons at (813) 780-0000, or send a message through The Thomas Promise Foundation Facebook Page or Twitter account. Simmons can also be reached by email at .

Published July 08, 2020

Planning for the vulnerable during crises

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People with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia especially can be vulnerable during disasters, such as severe weather, fires, floods, hurricanes and other emergency situations.

It is important for the caregivers of those afflicted to have a plan that includes the special needs of people with impairments in memory and reasoning that could severely limit their ability to act appropriately in a crisis.

In general, caregivers should be prepared to meet the needs of the family for three days to seven days, including having supplies and backup options when basic services like water or electricity, are lost, according to the National Institute on Aging (NIA).

Organizations such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the American Red Cross can provide information on how to make a general disaster preparedness plan.

And, the Administration for Community Living (ACL.gov) has a disaster planning toolkit for people with dementia.

Here are some tips from the NIA on how to plan ahead:

  • Caregivers should consider the needs of the person with Alzheimer’s while assembling supplies for the disaster kit. All supplies should be stored in a watertight container. A kit could include: incontinence undergarments, wipes and lotions; a pillow, toy or something the person can hold onto; favorite snacks and high-nutrient drinks; recent photos of the person; and, medical documents and medications.
  • If a move to a safer place is required, such as to a community shelter or someone’s home, caregivers should be sensitive to the Alzheimer’s patient’s emotions, by staying close, offering their hand, or giving reassuring hugs.
  • While planning an evacuation, know how to get to the nearest emergency shelters; arrange with someone else for transport; make sure the person with Alzheimer’s wears an ID bracelet; take general supplies and disaster kit; keep neighbors, friends and family informed about your location; keep comforting items on hand; and keep your cellphone charged.

For more information, including what to do in the case of caregiver/patient separation, and how to prepare for disaster situations, consider contacting these organizations:

• Eldercare Locator: Call (800) 677-1116, visit Eldercare.acl.gov, or email .

Published July 08, 2020

Pasco commissioners receive honors

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Pasco County Commissioners Kathryn Starkey and Jack Mariano each have a Presidential Advocate award from the Florida Association of Counties (FAC) for their work during the 2020 legislative session.

The commissioners were recognized during the association of counties’ annual business meeting, which was conducted virtually, according to a news release.

“As a local government official, I believe the effectiveness of FAC cannot be overstated,” Starkey said, in the release. “The organization does a great job at uniting local voices from across the state in Tallahassee, and I am honored to have contributed to this advocacy.”

“It’s an honor to be recognized as a leader amongst my peers,” Commissioner Jack Mariano, said in a release.

The award the elected Pasco officials received is bestowed to county commissioners who have shown exceptional leadership in advocating with FAC during the 2020 session to advance the counties’ legislative agenda.

“It’s our duty as commissioners to stand up for our community, to fight to preserve the unique aspects of where we live, work, and play,” said FAC Immediate Past President and Leon County Commissioner Nick Maddox. “This responsibility is only heightened during the Legislative Session where hundreds of bills are heard that directly impact that quality of life.”

Mariano has been designated as an Advanced Certified County Commissioner by the Florida Association of Counties and a Certified County Commissioner by the same group.

He will serve as a policy leader on the Florida Association of Counties Water & Environmental Sustainability Policy Committee for the upcoming 2020-2021 Fiscal Year, the release says.

Starkey has been active in FAC since being elected to District 3 of the Pasco County Commission in 2012. She chairs the FAC Federal Policy Committee and is the District 20 Representative to the FAC Board of Directors.

She also helped lead FAC’s fall 2019 “Federal Fly-in,” which created channels of communication between local officials and federal policymakers in Washington D.C., to discuss national issues, such as flood insurance.

Published July 08, 2020

Busy hurricane season expected

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As if COVID-19, an economic meltdown and soaring unemployment aren’t enough — Floridians need to brace for an above-normal hurricane season, according to forecasters with NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center.

Hurricane Irma gave Floridians a taste of Mother Nature’s fury. This year, weather experts are predicting higher-than-normal activity. (Courtesy of NOAA)

Just days into the season, which runs from June 1 through Nov. 30, Tropical Storm Cristobal swept into the Gulf Coast, triggering a storm surge of almost 6 feet along parts of the northern Gulf Coast, according to national weather reports. Heavy rain triggered flash flooding as far east as Florida, and as far north as Wisconsin and Minnesota. The storm also spawned tornadoes in Florida and as far north as Illinois.

That was the beginning of an Atlantic hurricane season that experts predict will have above-normal activity. Information released by NOAA says there’s a 60% chance of an above-normal season, a 30% chance of a near-normal season and a 10% chance of a below-normal season.

NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center is forecasting a range of 13 to 19 named storms, with winds of 39 mph or higher. Of those, six to 10 could become hurricanes, with winds of 74 mph or higher, including three to six hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5), with winds of 111 mph or more.

An average hurricane season produces 12 named storms, of which six become hurricanes, including three major hurricanes, according to NOAA, a division of the National Weather Service.

Concerns about the potential spread of COVID-19 — the deadly virus that has already claimed more than 3,400 lives across Florida — is causing emergency officials to plan differently this year.

Pasco County Emergency Management Director Andrew Fossa said the county will be working with the Department of Health that is maintaining a current list of COVID-positive patients, as well as people of interest.

Part of the county’s plan calls for using the center at Heritage Park, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes, to shelter positive COVID-19 patients, or people who have been exposed to the virus.

The county also will use schools as shelters, and will open them as they are needed.

Hurricane Irma blew down lots of trees around Pasco County, including this one, across an East Pasco road. (File)

This year, because of the pandemic, the county also has lined up some hotels and a resort, to use, if necessary, Fossa said. Some empty big box stores also might serve as shelters, he added.

“You’ve got to get creative in this kind of work,” he said.

The county needs to add more potential shelters this year because, in response to COVID-19, the American Red Cross and FEMA have changed the footprint required for sheltering.

“It used to be at general population, you were allocated 20 square feet, inside this big open area. That was your little slice of life. Now, with COVID, they made that 60 square feet,” Fossa said.

Shelter routines will be different
While waiting to register, those arriving will have to stay apart from each other, to maintain a safe social distance. Before entering the shelter, they will have their temperature taken, will be asked the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guideline questions and will be given a mask to wear in the shelter, Fossa said.

Anyone whose temperature exceeds 100.4 degrees F., will be sent to a different shelter, if time permits, or will remain at the shelter but will be housed in a separate part of the shelter.

Fossa said the county has secured enough personal protective equipment for county staff, nurses and firefighters that will be working at the shelters.

Many injuries occur after natural disasters because inexperienced people try to handle tasks they don’t know how to do. Enlist the help of professionals, if possible, and make sure they are properly licensed and insured. (File)

The county is uncertain how comfortable people will feel about staying at a shelter because of concerns about COVID-19. It has released a survey to try to get a better idea of where Pasco residents stand on that issue.

Fossa noted that AAA has done a survey in Florida and the results showed that 42% would not go to a shelter because of COVID-19.

The emergency management director also noted that the state has issued some guidance on whether people should evacuate.

“If you have a  home that was built post-1996 and you’re not on the water, you’re not in an evacuation zone, the coastline or anything like that, they’re (state officials) actually encouraging residents to stay in their houses for a Category 1, maybe Category 2 (storm).”

Fossa urged residents who have not already prepared for a potential threat, to do so now.

“Be ready,” he said. “If you don’t have a go-kit yet, you’re behind the curve.

“If we need to evacuate you, I am not going to sit at your house for 45 minutes while you say, ‘I’m going to grab this, I’m going to grab that. I’m going to grab that.’ Have it ready to go,” Fossa said.

Those evacuating should “go 10s of miles, not 100s of miles,” Fossa added. “You can go 10s of miles to stay with family and friends.”

By staying close to home, residents can avoid getting stuck in miles of traffic jams and keep hotel rooms free for people who are evacuating from more vulnerable areas.

If you are ordered to evacuate, wait for emergency officials to let you know that it’s safe to return.

The county has a fleet of drones it can use to assess damage, Fossa said.

He also noted that the county has 28 generators, which it can use to temporarily restore power to traffic lights that have been knocked out by severe weather.

And, it is getting another generator that is large enough to power a small building, he said. The primary use for that generator would be to restore power to a nursing home — to avoid a tragic outcome like the one that occurred at a Hollywood, Florida, nursing home a few years back.

Pasco County also has had to plan differently for managing its Emergency Operations Center.

“We’re not going to be like Irma. I’m not going to have 120 bodies in my EOC,” Fossa said. Instead, there will be about 17 key personnel there.

“Everybody else will work virtually. That’s the safest way to do it,” Fossa said.

The county has a wealth of information available for residents who want to find out if they’re in an evacuation zone, how to prepare for a hurricane and what to do in the aftermath.

You can find that information at PascoEmergencyManagement.com.

THINGS TO DO NOW
Before a hurricane threatens
Protect your property:

  • Be sure your trees and shrubs are trimmed.
  • Clear out clogged rain gutters and downspouts.
  • Document your valuables by making a list of the items, and taking photos of them and your property.

If a hurricane threatens

  • Cover windows with pre-cut plywood or hurricane shutters.
  • Store outdoor furniture, windchimes, garbage cans, decorations, potted plants and other items that could become projectiles in high winds.
  • If you have a boat, determine how and where to secure it.

Protect yourself:

  • Know your evacuation zone and be prepared to leave, if authorities tell you do so.

Particularly vulnerable areas include mobile homes, high-rise buildings, coastal areas, near rivers or inland waterways, and land below sea level.

  • If you live in a mandatory evacuation zone, prepare an evacuation plan that includes transportation routes and destinations, and considers all family members and pets.
  • If evacuating, reach out to family or friends, now, to see if you can stay with them. Whether you are sheltering in place, or evacuating, be sure to share your plans with someone outside of the danger zone.
  • When making evacuation plans, think in terms of 10s of miles away, instead of 100s of miles. People have been known to leave their homes only to go where the hurricane landed.

Have a go bag ready
Your go bag should include:

  • Medications
  • Clothing
  • Important documents, in a waterproof container, which includes bank account records, marriage certificates or divorce decrees, driver’s license, Social Security card, passport, titles, deeds, income tax information, trusts, wills, insurance papers and birth certificates.

Some practical pointers

  • Avoid gas lines: During hurricane season keep your tank full, or at least 3/4 full
  • Have cash on hand, in case banks are closed and ATMs lose power
  • Have a phone charger that doesn’t require electricity
  • Have a printed list of important telephone numbers, including county emergency management office, evacuation sites, doctors, bank, area schools, veterinarian, etc.
  • Have books and games available, to help pass the time

Stock up on emergency supplies

  • Water — one gallon for each person for three to seven days
  • Food — enough food for at least three to seven days. Nonperishable packaged or canned food and beverages, snack foods, juices. Supplies should include nonperishable foods that are easy to store and prepare, including protein bars, dried fruit, canned pastas, soups, canned tuna, peanut butter and jelly, crackers, raisins, beef jerky. Don’t forget the baby formula and baby food.

Tools/supplies

  • Non-electric can opener, paper plates, plastic utensils, plastic cups
  • Grill, cooking tools, fuel, charcoal
  • Hand tools, automotive repair tools
  • Duct tape and heavyweight garbage bags or plastic sheeting (for shelter-in-place)
  • A wrench or pliers (to turn off utilities)

Personal comfort/hygiene/sanitation

  • Blankets, pillows, sleeping bags
  • Sunscreen, aloe, bug spray
  • Special items for babies, elders, persons with disabilities
  • Toiletries, hygiene items and sanitary wipes
  • Moist towelettes for sanitation
  • Garbage bags and plastic ties (for personal sanitation)

Safety

  • Radio — battery-operated or hand-cranked radio, NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) Weather radio
  • Flashlight and batteries
  • Medications, a first-aid kit
  • Filter masks to protect your mouth and nose
  • A whistle to signal for help
  • Seasonal rain gear, sturdy shoes or boots

Plan for your pets

  • Your pet emergency kit should include: Sturdy leashes, harnesses and/or a carrier; pet food, drinking water, bowls, cat litter, a litter pan; pet health records, current photos of your pets, in case they get lost; pet beds and toys.

DURING THE STORM
When sheltering in place

  • Close all interior doors. Secure and brace exterior doors. Take refuge in a small interior closet, or hallway on the lowest level. Lie on the floor under a table or another sturdy object.
  • Fill bathtubs or buckets with water to use for cleaning and toilet flushing.
  • Stay away from windows and glass doors.
  • Don’t be fooled by a lull in the storm. It could be the eye of the storm and the winds could resume.

AFTER THE STORM

  • Do not drive into water when you can’t see the bottom of the road; you could drown.
  • Do not walk through flooded areas, fast-moving water could carry you away. Also, the water could be contaminated with oil, gasoline, raw sewage and other contaminants. It also may be electrically charged from a downed wire.
  • Be careful about the foods you eat. If the power is out for a prolonged period, your food may have spoiled.
  • Do not burn charcoal in your house or garage, the fumes can be deadly.
  • Do not use gas-powered generators indoors or in a garage, the exhaust can be lethal.
  • If you’re using a generator, do not plug it into a building’s wiring. This can cause generator back feed, which is extremely dangerous for utility workers and for anyone in the public who comes into contact with a downed electrical wire.
  • If you have been evacuated, do not return to your home until authorities tell you that it is safe to do so.

If you have damage

  • Call your insurance agent.
  • Take photos of the damage.
  • Make emergency repairs to avoid more damage and keep receipts for tarps, lumber, etc.
  • Use licensed contractors to make repairs. Be wary of potential scams.

Published July 1, 2020

Ridge Road construction moves forward

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By summer, motorists could take their first spins along the initial segment of the Ridge Road extension from Moon Lake Road/DeCubellis Road to Town Center Boulevard.

“We’re hoping we open that leg by the start of August, for the start of the school year,” said Sam Beneck, Pasco County’s property manager. “They are pulling out all the stops to get it done. It’s going to be a real challenge.”

The roadwork is expected to ease traffic for River Ridge high school and middle school along Town Center.

This aerial view shows the area where Ridge Road construction will begin at Moon Lake in west Pasco County. (Courtesy of Pasco County)

This short jog forward is the beginning of a two-phased road project, with a final completion date in 2025. By then, the approximately 8.6-mile extension of Ridge Road, from west to east, is expected to cross over Suncoast Parkway and come out at U.S. 41, opposite an entrance into the master-planned community of Connerton in Land O’ Lakes.

Pasco County officials celebrated the kick-off to Ridge Road’s extension in January. It was the culmination of more than two decades of pushing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to issue a permit that would allow the new road to cut through sensitive environmental land in the Serenova Tract of the Starkey Wilderness Preserve.

For years, county officials identified the east/west route as an essential evacuation route during hurricanes and other emergencies. They expect it to take pressure off existing east/west routes of State Road 52 and State Road 54, and cut evacuation times down by hours. In addition, traffic capacity is expected to increase by 10%.

“It’s really to improve traffic capacity and east/west access to improve hurricane evacuations,” said Beneck. “We really, really see it as a significant evacuation improvement with multi-hour benefits in reaching our evacuation goal and traffic capacity. There was never another alternative that provided these benefits.”

Environmentalists suggest that the north/south route of U.S. 19 makes more sense for evacuations, and would avoid harm to the Serenova.

“We need to maintain our natural systems and forests to mitigate against climate change,” said Tim Martin, conversation chairman for the Sierra Club Florida. “We just need to leave our natural systems and keep our preserves preserved.”

Sierra Club Florida Conservation filed a lawsuit against the Army Corps in February in the U.S. Middle District of Florida. However, a judge denied an emergency injunction to stop the roadway. Pasco County, which is not a defendant in the lawsuit, was granted permission to intervene in the case.

The Sierra Club alleges that the Army Corps violated the National Environmental Policy Act and failed to adequately evaluate the harm to threatened and endangered species within the Serenova, and to their habitats and wetlands.

Martin said county taxpayers need to understand they could be the losers if the lawsuit is successful and Pasco is ordered to restore wetlands that the roadway is destroying.

Beneck said the county is sensitive to the impacts to the Serenova. County staff and the Fish and Wildlife Commission have provided guidance on mitigation efforts, including relocating gopher tortoises found on site.

The court date is pending.

When completed, the roadway through the Serenova will have 16 bridges that cross over wetlands, and wildlife crossings at 15 of those bridges.

Landscaping and multi-use paths will be installed with nature overlooks that allow for relaxation and observation.

The total estimated cost of the project is more than $149 million, with the largest share – about $93.2 million – paying for phase one from Moon Lake to the Suncoast. Suncoast to Sunlake is estimated to cost about $12.7 million. Funding sources for the $44 million final segment from Sunlake to U.S. 41 are identified and will be budgeted in the fiscal year 2023, based on revenue estimates and projections, according to county officials.

The Florida Turnpike Authority will fund the new interchange at Ridge Road and the parkway.

The interchange and surrounding land are attracting new development.

Lee Moffitt Cancer and Research Institute recently purchased about 775 acres for a future research hub near the interchange.

Lennar, which sold land to Moffitt, is proposing a master-planned community of Angeline, formerly Project Arthur, that would transform a former cattle ranch and pine plantation into a residential and commercial community. The property is located south of State Road 52 and east of Suncoast. Both Ridge Road and Sunlake Boulevard cut through the property.

Environmentalists say these types of projects are the true reason for extending Ridge Road.

“Now, it’s pretty obvious all along they had bigger plans for opening central Pasco,” said Martin. “A lot of this is bad growth and sprawl.”

One design change in Ridge Road could add as many as seven signalized intersections to the phase two, at-grade construction of roadway from Suncoast to Land O’ Lakes boulevard.

While this segment initially had limited access, county officials later designated it an arterial roadway in acknowledgement that private property owners might develop land adjacent to Ridge Road.

However, Beneck said Pasco planned for Ridge Road based on the county’s long-range comprehensive plan, not any specific development projects. “We really hadn’t heard of any development plans.”

It would be up to private developers to seek any necessary permits, he said.

“Private developers would be responsible for doing all of their own mitigation,” Beneck said.

Published July 1, 2020

Parents asked to help on school reopening plan

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As Hillsborough County Schools gears up for a new school year, district officials need guidance from parents to help them plan.

Hillsborough Schools Superintendent Addison Davis has laid out three potential models the school district could follow in the fall, depending on what’s happening with COVID-19.

Here is a synopsis:

Model A:
Model A has three options:

  • Students can return to school for traditional, face-to-face instruction.
  • Students can learn from home, using eLearning, an improved version of the online instruction they received last school year.
  • Students can enroll in Hillsborough Virtual School. These courses are designed to require students to meet certain requirements, but they have flexibility in scheduling their learning.

Model B:

  • Students can spend 40% of their time in face-to-face instruction, and 60% of their time in eLearning.
  • Students can do eLearning only.
  • Students can do Hillsborough Virtual School.

Model C:

  • Students can do eLearning or Hillsborough Virtual School. Campuses are closed.

At a June 23 workshop with the Hillsborough County School Board, Davis emphasized, “the plan has to be, and should be, very fluid along the way.”

The Model A version envisions the state operating at Phase III of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ reopening plan, which allows buildings to operate at up to 100% of capacity.

The district understands that some parents and some staff may decide to not return to school, so the eLearning and Hillsborough Virtual School allow other options, Davis said.

If parents pursue one of the online options, fewer students would be on campus, making it easier for the district to achieve social distancing, the superintendent explained.

The district’s hybrid model provides a way to reduce the number of students who are on a campus at the same time. That means fewer students simultaneously riding buses, eating in the lunchroom, heading to the library or using other heavily trafficked areas on campus.

Another advantage of the hybrid model is that it gives students a chance to have face-to-face instruction for four out of 10 days of learning.

“There’s no substitute for a high-quality teacher in front of students,” Davis said.

The district is now reaching out to parents through an online survey, asking parents to identify what option they prefer for their students.

The district needs information about specific students, so it can plan properly, Davis said.

He hopes to have that information by July 10.

Regardless of the district’s final plans, the district intends to provide masks for its employees and to provide three, and possibly as many as eight, reusable masks per student, to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Regardless of the approach the district uses, it will greatly limit assemblies, pep rallies and field trips and will have stringent restrictions involving visitors on campuses.

It also will have protocols involving sanitation, personal hygiene and its response when a staff member or student is suspected of being positive for COVID-19.

School board member Steve Cona III said he’s a fan of Model A.

“I appreciate the creativity of Model B,” he said, but he added, “from a parent’s standpoint, I think it’s a logistical nightmare.”

He also thinks the district needs a defined criteria for what eLearning looks like. “We need to ensure that we have proper procedures and standards across the district.”

Davis assured board members that in the coming year, “eLearning will be significantly improved” compared to the online instruction students received at the end of last school year.

Cona also noted that the district needs to ensure that its standards for cleanliness are uniform across the district, which, he said, was not the case even before COVID-19.

School board member Karen Perez noted there are students who reside in multi-generational households, and she voiced concerns that asymptomatic students could infect their grandparents.

School board member Stacy Hahn said she’s happy there are options for parents. But, she voiced concerns about a digital divide. She called for learning opportunities to help families that are struggling with the use of technology.

Published July 1, 2020

New retail coming soon to Cypress Creek Town Center

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Cypress Creek Town Center is adding new retail to its commercial roster.

Several new tenants, including Crumbl Cookies and Zukku Sushi, will soon occupy storefronts along Sierra Center Boulevard at Cypress Creek Town Center. (Kathy Steele)

Though COVID-19 hit a pause button for the Pasco County community, construction workers are still building out new space for shops, restaurants and offices at the town center. Located across from Tampa Premium Outlets on State Road 56, the outdoor mall is at the epicenter of new development in the Wesley Chapel and Lutz areas of the county.

Anticipated tenants in a new strip center along Sierra Center Boulevard include Crumbl Cookies, Zukku Sushi, Charles Schwab, and IVX Health, according to county records.

Construction is underway on a stand-a-lone La-Z-Boy.

European Wax Center, and Woof Gang Bakery and Grooming already are open.

European Wax Center provides a range of waxing services for the entire body.

Two previously announced restaurants, Bonefish Grill and Carrabba’s Italian Grill, will have delayed openings, due to “construction timelines,” according to an email from Bloomin’ Brands, which owns the restaurants.

One other Bloomin’ Brand restaurant, Aussie Grill, opened in May, but is following guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Outback Steakhouse-inspired eatery accommodates some seating with social distancing, drive-thru, and Uber Eats and DoorDash delivery services.

Aussie Grill, near the town center entrance at Grand Cypress Drive, is the first stand-alone restaurant for the brand in Lutz.

The three Bloomin’ Brands’ restaurants eventually will be clustered together with a shared parking lot along Sierra Center.

Aussie Grill, a Bloomin’ Brand restaurant, opened in May with limited dine-in and drive-thru service.

Tenant details:

Crumbl Cookies is a dessert shop for specialty cookies and Crumbl Cream, a concoction of cookies and ice cream flavors. Menus rotate weekly to give customers four specialty choices. However, warm milk chocolate chip and chilled sugar cookies are always available, according to the company’s website.

Crumbl Cream flavors include Churro, Buckeye Brownie and Muddy Buddy.

Zukku Sushi offers a menu of sushi burritos, curated pig bowls and curated sushi bowls, sashimi and nigiri. Currently the restaurant dishes its bowls at the Heights Public Market, at Armature Works in Tampa.

Charles Schwab provides a range of brokerage, banking and financial advisory services.

La-Z-Boy is a home and office furniture store that includes accessories and home decor.

IVX Health offers biologic injections and infusions for patients with health care issues, including Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, lupus and multiple sclerosis. The clinic provides private suites with leather recliners, flexible scheduling and personal service from its clinical staff, according to its website.

European Wax Center provides a range of waxing services for the entire body.

Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming is a specialty shop for pet food and supplies and pet grooming.

La-Z-Boy is a home and office furniture store that includes accessories and home decor.

Published July 1, 2020

Mickens Field improvements underway in Dade City

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Construction on a new concession/public restroom building at Mickens Field soon will be underway, with completion targeted for the end of October.

The Dade City Commission awarded the bid and approved contract to Borregard Construction Inc., for the project, at 14318 Canal St., in Dade City.

Completion of a new concession building at Mickens Field in Dade is expected by Oct. 31. (File)

The action came during a June 23 virtual meeting by a 4-1 vote, with Commissioner Nicole Deese Newlon casting a dissenting vote.

The city has $150,000 budgeted for the project, funded through the local government infrastructure surtax, also known as Penny for Pasco.

Borregard posted the lowest bid among six proposals received, in the amount of $89,750.

The company’s bid is all-inclusive and in compliance with specifications included in the city’s request for proposal, per a memo from Dade City Manager Leslie Porter.

That was a point of contention at a previous commission meeting on June 9.

City staff initially recommended entering contract negotiations with Ryman Construction of Florida Inc., who generated the highest evaluation score among six proposals and a bid of $113,727.

While the lowest bidder, Borregard’s evaluation score ranked fifth of sixth proposals, as city staff explained the company did not submit all requested information.

But, Commissioner Jim Shive disagreed with staff’s recommendation earlier this month, suggesting the city simply proceed with the lowest bidder, Borregard, a Dade City-based company with a 20-year running relationship with the city.

He reasoned the city should be more conservative with construction projects near-term, citing possible budgetary impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic and cost overruns on previous projects.

He also argued the project — a 672-square-foot concrete block structure and roof — shouldn’t be a complicated undertaking for any construction company.

The decision was tabled until the June 23 meeting, so the city manager could review the matter and make another recommendation.

The Mickens Field building has a target completion date of Oct. 31. The old concession/restroom structure was demolished in late May by the city’s public works department.

In other action, commissioners unanimously approved preliminary construction plans for Hilltop Estates, a 250 single-family lot subdivision on 61 acres of land, situated off of U.S. 301 and Clinton Avenue.

Some other citywide updates shared during the meeting:

  • Downtown sidewalk pressure washing is scheduled for July 5.
  • The City Hall lobby will be open to customers beginning on July 6. Masks will be required and visitors will not be allowed in staff areas.
  • Utility billing turnoffs and late fees will resume in August.
  • The city has applied for a grant through the Florida Redevelopment Association, for transportation enhancements to the Roy Hardy Trail.
  • City staff is gathering information on wayfinding signage, and will schedule a presentation at an upcoming commission meeting for further input and direction.
  • Dade City Manager Leslie Porter is seeking to temporarily outsource the city finance director functions to a freelance accountant who has worked with other local governments, until a permanent replacement can be found.
  • Sarah Rader was sworn in as deputy city clerk, taking over for Erika Cordoba, who is now working in the city’s planning and zoning department.

Commissioners farewell

Dade City Commissioner Nicole Deese Newlon (Courtesy of City of Dade City)

The June 23 virtual meeting marked a farewell for Mayor Pro Tem Eunice Penix and Commissioner Nicole Deese Newlon. Neither commissioner sought re-election.

Penix, a retired schoolteacher, served as a commissioner for nearly 27 years, dating back to August 1993.

Newlon, a commercial law attorney, served one four-year term after being elected in a three-way race in April 2016.

Penix took time to deliver some parting words to thank the Dade City community: “I’m grateful for the citizens of Dade City for allowing me to serve them for 27 years. I am so honored. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I love all of you.”

Newlon did not offer any comments.

Dade City Mayor Pro-Tem Eunice Penix

Fellow commissioners, meanwhile, shared positive words to Penix and Newlon for their dedication and service to the municipality.

They lauded Penix for her smile, wisdom and powerful invocations, while Newlon was regarded for her tenacity and overall sense of humor.

Some Dade City residents also weighed in, to recognize the outgoing commissioners for their contributions over the years.

Dade City resident Clyde Carter, a minister at St. John Missionary Baptist Church, said: “We do appreciate everything that they’ve done during their tenures, and continue to do things even past their tenures in the community. I do want to give a shout out this evening and we thank them very much from a community standpoint.”

Dade City resident Christopher King, who operates a youth mentorship charity and is running for Penix’s vacated commission seat, echoed similar sentiments: “I wanted to just say thank you to Commissioner Penix and Commissioner Newlon for their time and service on the commission, and their commitment to the community. All the things they have done is a tribute to their work ethic, loyalty and patronage to Dade City….and we will miss you dearly.”

Published July 1, 2020