Local News

DADE CITY – The Pasco County Planning Commission considered a text amendment to the county’s comprehensive plan Dec. 12 that would offer a new way for affordable housing to be available.

If adopted by county commissioners on Feb. 25, the text amendment would specifically cover accessory dwelling units. These are defined as “independent units contained within, attached to, or detached from a single-family dwelling on the same zoning lot.”

After a lengthy discussion, members of the planning commission agreed that they thought the text amendment was consistent with the county’s comprehensive plan.

This decision came after a single word towards the end of the proposal about ADUs was changed.

It had originally said “In order to create additional and affordable rental living opportunities and to provide greater flexibility for homeowners, accessory dwelling units shall be permitted in Future Land Use categories that allow single-family residential development, subject to regulations designed to limit impacts and protect neighborhood character. “

The word “shall” was changed to “may” in that sentence.

This was done to provide greater flexibility in the way in which accessory dwelling units could be permitted if the proposed ordinance is adopted. 

The county is also considering amending its land development code through a subsequent ordinance to allow for accessory dwelling units as an alternative housing option to increase housing opportunities, promote mixed-income neighborhoods, encourage infill development, address the “missing middle” housing types, address affordable housing needs, and provide housing opportunities for extended families. 

Prior to the vote, some concerns were expressed about whether increased density could be created in a way where it wouldn’t be appropriate.

Member Jon Moody said it appeared that property zoned RES-6 – which is six dwelling units per gross acre – could possibly contain 12 dwelling units under the proposed text amendment. 

Moody went on to say it could also mean that property zoned RES-9 could possibly contain 18 dwelling units and property zoned RES-12 could possibly contain 24 dwelling units.

Chief Assistant County Attorney David Goldstein said developers don’t always use the full capacity of properties that are zoned in that way.

In other business on Dec. 12, the planning commission:

• Recommended commissioners approve a change in zoning from an A-C Agricultural District to an A-R Agricultural-Residential District for 6.08 acres on the east side of Powerline Road, one-quarter mile north of Frazee Hill Road, in rural Dade City. The application, made in the name of Sarah Jones/Barnyard Rezoning, is intends to carve out the area from a 20-acre parcel to develop a single-family home.
• Found a proposed amendment, State Road 54 Office, to be consistent with the county’s comprehensive plan. The applicant has requested for the future land use to be amended from RES-12 to OF-Office to allow for the development of a 6,000-square-foot office use along State Road 54, which is a county arterial roadway. 

NEW PORT RICHEY – A suspect shot by Pasco County officers on Dec. 13 told them “thank you” as they were handcuffing him and treating his injuries, according to Sheriff Chris Nocco.

Deputies were responding to an attempted break-in at a gun store on Little Road at 8:14 a.m. Dec. 13. The suspect wasn’t able to get into the store. The Pasco Sheriff’s Office found him 200 yards north on Little Road. 

Nocco said the suspect pulled out a knife when a detective approached him. The detective told colleagues on his radio that the suspect had a knife. Other deputies arrived. 

“I want to give our deputies a lot of credit,” Nocco said. “They were doing everything in their power to deescalate the situation. They kept pleading with the individual, ‘we will get you help.’”

Nocco said the suspect charged at officers. Three officers shot at the suspect. They have been placed on administrative leave as part of protocol. 

“The subject, after he was struck with tasers and gunfire, he hit the ground,” Nocco said. “He hit the ground with his head. As the deputies were putting handcuffs on him and rendering aid, the subject looked at the deputies and said ‘thank you.’ Clearly this person had a motive today that was going to harm someone else or God forbid he got into that store.”

The suspect was identified as 38-year-old Scott Youmans. Nocco said Youmans has an “extensive mental health history to harm himself and he’s made statements to harm others.”

Youmans faces charges of attempted burglary and aggravated assault on law enforcement. 

Mark Brunell, special agent in charge of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, is overseeing the investigation into the officer-involved shooting. He encouraged witnesses to call 1-800-226-1140.

Sheriff’s office needs help with homicide case

The Pasco Sheriff’s Office is asking the public for help in its investigation into the homicide of Jennifer Suojanen. She was found deceased in her home on Dec. 20, 2023. Her 53-year-old husband, Sean Suojanen, has not been seen or heard from since that time. He was last seen near the Margaret Drive area of Port Richey. Report tips at 1-800-706-2488.

​​Pasco County commissioners appoints leaders

NEW PORT RICHEY – The Pasco Board of County Commissioners reorganized at its Dec. 10 meeting. 

The board elected Kathryn Starkey as chair, Jack Mariano as vice chair and Seth Weightman as second vice chair.

“It’s a privilege to serve as the chair of this commission,” Starkey said. “Pasco County has made remarkable strides in becoming a great place to live, work and play, and I’m proud of the progress we’ve achieved.  I look forward to building on that success to continue making Pasco County an even better place for all.”

The board consists of the following members: Ron Oakley (District 1), Seth Weightman (District 2), Kathryn Starkey (District 3), Lisa Yeager (District 4) and Jack Mariano (District 5).

Pasco County Commission meetings are usually held every other Tuesday, alternating between the West Pasco Government Center in New Port Richey and the Historic Pasco County Courthouse in Dade City.

SVB Tennis Foundation thanks Zephyrhills

ZEPHYRHILLS – Nick Walton, executive director for the Sarah Vande Berg Tennis Foundation, thanked the City of Zephyrhills for its year-round support. 

Walton spoke Dec. 9 during the Zephyrhills City Council meeting. He presented the city with a plaque with photos of the program, which promotes character-building, mentoring and physical activity through tennis.

“We’re finishing up now our second program at Woodland Elementary,” he said. “That’s first and second-graders, which is a new initiative for us.”

During the first quarter, the foundation worked with third, fourth and fifth-graders at Woodland Elementary as well as students at R.B. Stewart Middle. They’ll also be in West Zephyrhills Elementary during the third and fourth quarters. 

Pasco Animal Services waives fees for Christmas

LAND O’ LAKES – Pasco County Animal Services is waiving adoption fees for all available dogs and cats from December 14 to 21.

The agency invites the community to take a photo with Santa and their newly adopted pets at the “Home for the Pawlidays” kick off Dec. 14.

The Home for the Pawlidays campaign spans from noon to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday to Thursday and noon to 6:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 14 to 21 at Building A (Adoption Center), 19640 Dogpatch Lane.

“We’re celebrating the holidays with a visit from Santa and an entire week of free adoptions to our community,” PCAS Director Mike Shumate said.  “We’re most excited about pets getting loving homes for the holidays.”

NEW PORT RICHEY – The Social has caught the attention of America’s Best Restaurants, a national media and marketing company that showcases local, independently owned restaurants. 

The company will bring its “ABR Roadshow” to the restaurant on Dec. 20. The episode will be aired extensively on ABR’s social media channels at a later date.
Popular dishes will be highlighted, along with an extensive on-camera interview with owners Jeff and Jennifer Roberts about the restaurant’s place in the community. 

The Social opened in 2019 as a venue for food and entertainment for the downtown area. It is known for its unique New American menu with a diverse cocktail selection, live music, events and an outdoor rooftop bar. 

“We would spend many nights eating at some of the area’s best restaurants and would always be left not knowing what to do next,” Jeff explained.

This led to the concept of The Social, a multi-level restaurant with entertainment on each floor. 

The modern yet casual environment sports several bars and a menu of starters, salads and sandwiches, tacos, flatbreads and entrees. An extensive drink menu features several varieties of martinis, hurricanes from categories one through five, and signature cocktails such as the Social Mule or Smoked Pecan Old Fashioned. 

Popular menu items include the Short Rib Melt, a half-pound burger topped with three cheeses, short ribs and fried onions; Downtown Pasta, a Cajun-style dish with blackened chicken; and the homemade meatloaf, wrapped with bacon and topped with homemade bacon jam, red sauce and fried onions and served as an entree or sliders.

The Roberts say customers love the food, ambience and entertainment value of The Social. They are excited to showcase what they have to offer to a larger audience.
“We are most proud to be thriving in the area we grew up in and love being a part of the amazing changes and growth of downtown New Port Richey,” Jeff said. 

Restaurants featured on the “ABR Roadshow” are selected based on their customer reviews, menu items, social media presence and level of involvement with their community. 

Ready to eat?

The Social operates Tuesday through Sunday at 5650 Main St., New Port Richey. Call 727-834-8137 or visit thesocialnpr.com for details. 

NEW PORT RICHEY – Pasco County commissioners agreed at their Nov. 10 meeting to spend up to $1,070,111.36 to have construction completed on what will be the East Pasco Senior Center. 

Ryman Construction of Florida Inc.began constructing the 7,334-square-foot building located at 13906 Fourth St. in Dade City while Community Aging & Retirement Services Inc. (CARES) owned it.

Pasco County obtained the 1.734-acre property free of charge from CARES, on Nov. 4.

The transfer of the partially constructed building and property from the nonprofit to the county was made because CARES had been experiencing financial difficulties for the past several months and lacked funds to complete construction of the building.

The agreement with Ryman’s allows them to resume construction of the building as soon as possible so the work could be completed in approximately 210 days.

This means the East Pasco Senior Center could possibly open in July 2025.

Pasco County received a $1.3 million grant from the Florida Department of Elder Affairs to cover the cost of completing construction of the building.

The county’s current senior center is located at 13853 15th St., in Dade City. It is 10 blocks from the new location. The services at the current senior center will be relocated to 13906 Fourth St. once that building is ready for occupancy, according to Brian Hoben, the county’s community services director.

In other business on Dec. 10, commissioners:

• Appointed board leadership for the upcoming year: Kathryn Starkey (chair), Jack Mariano (vice chair) and Seth Weightman (second vice chair).
• Approved the term sheet of an economic development agreement between Pasco County and a proposed project known as Legacy Wiregrass Ranch. Commissioners directed staff to draft a formal agreement. The proposed project will consist of apartments and townhomes, retail, hotel/conference and office uses supported by structured parking. Wiregrass is seeking public funding assistance for public infrastructure in the first phase of the project.  When completed, it will serve as a downtown for Wesley Chapel and provide amenities and services to area residents and businesses while serving as an economic growth driver for that area of the county.The developer is investing $84.5 million in public infrastructure. Wiregrass Ranch is requesting funding support via $50 million in property tax rebates paid over a maximum term of 30 years as a partial cost reimbursement for permitting, designing and constructing the public infrastructure. Wiregrass Ranch has agreed to reserve 1,225,000 square feet of office and 230,000 square feet of light industrial within the existing DRI in return for the property tax rebates.

• Approved the establishment of The Preserve at Legends Pointe Community Development District in an unincorporated area of Pasco County. The district, which consists of 107.4 acres, is generally located north of State Road 52, south of Hudson Avenue, east of Hicks Road and due west of Hays Road. It encompasses a portion of the Legends Pointe Phase 3 Master Planned Unit Development.
• Approved a substantial modification of the conditions of approval for part of the Wiregrass Master Planned Unit Development known as the Promenade Business Center. The Promenade Business Center covers roughly 77.08 acres of the entire 1,036.01-acre development area. The business center is located adjacent to Curley Road and bisected by Overpass Road. One of the adjustments includes the donation of a 2.142-acre site to Pasco County for the future construction of a library.