The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Local News

An underpass for U.S. 41/State Road 54?

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Talk of solving traffic jams at U.S. 41 and State Road 54 often centers on building elevated lanes to ease massive numbers of vehicles through the intersection.

But now, Pasco County’s Metro Planning Organization wants to toss in a new solution – an underpass that would tunnel under the intersection.

Pasco County will consider an underpass as a solution to traffic gridlock at U.S. 41 and State Road 54. (File)

Consultants with Tindale-Oliver will complete a $15,000 study to determine if the underpass would work, and what the potential costs would be. The study, which will also consider an underpass at Little Road and State Road 54, is expected to take 60 days to 90 days.

“We should be able to see every possible option that is available,” said Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore.

Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey agreed.

“I think we should see if it’s an option or not,” she said.

The study’s answers will determine whether to add the underpass to a list of recommendations already produced by a volunteer task force. The task force for “Vision 54/56” has spent about two years on the matter.

They whittled 18 recommendations to four recommendations. Their choices included a system of parallel frontage roads at-grade level and elevated express lanes at major intersections. No build also is an option, but underpasses weren’t in the mix.

Task force member Sandy Graves said digging underground raises concerns about sinkholes. “How would that work?” she asked.

The MPO board, which reviews transportation matters, is composed of Pasco County commissioners, and elected officials of the county’s cities. David Gwynn, secretary of District 7 for the Florida Department of Transportation, is a nonvoting advisor.

The board unanimously approved funds for the study at the Jan. 11 meeting in Dade City. Board members tabled a review and vote on the recommendations from the task force.

If the underpass is deemed feasible, the county could ask the task force to reconvene. The cost of the study initially was $35,000, which included the consultants facilitating a task force meeting with documentation and additional analysis.

MPO board members balked at the additional $20,000 of cost, choosing instead to explore holding a future task force meeting with county staff members.

Trinity resident and commercial real estate agent Charles Puccini spoke during public comment and urged the board to carefully consider their final recommendations. He said the roadwork on U.S. 19 has made area businesses less visible and accessible.

“Make sure the solutions do not effectively block and damage the economy of Pasco County,” he said.

Regarding the task force, Puccini said: “It’s a great idea what you’re doing here.”

Published January 24, 2018

County seeks business park for future development

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Pasco County wants to encourage more business parks and diversify the county’s job base.

The county’s Office of Economic Growth is spearheading that effort by scouting for vacant land that can be made site-ready to attract developers on speculation.

In keeping with that goal, county staff members introduced a proposal for the Vibrant Sun Business Park at a Jan. 11 meeting of the Development Review Committee.

The park, on a large triangular swath of county land, would be bordered on the east by Old Pasco Road and on the west by Interstate 75. It also is near State Road 54 and Overpass Road.

If approved, the site would be available for 2.2 million square feet of corporate offices, manufacturing and distribution, industrial, and mixed office uses.

The county especially wants to encourage corporate business parks with campuses of multiple buildings.

A site-ready property could clear the way for quicker development, county officials said.

Committee members voted to recommend approval of a comprehensive land use change, as well as a rezoning of the site.

The Pasco County Commission will make the final decision.

“We have enough residential approved in the county,” said Chris Williams, a committee member and director of planning for Pasco County Schools. “We need some business and light industrial that can attract companies and bring some jobs.”

It’s unknown what development offers might be made to the county, however.

“We’re looking to prepare the site as a ready site. We don’t have a plan in place for disposition of the parcel,” said Peter Lent, program administrator for the county’s Office of Economic Growth. “We don’t have a use in mind right now.”

That bothered some area residents, who live off Old Pasco Road. They said they worried about the lack of information on what businesses might operate on the site. They also had questions about traffic impacts, loss of property values and whether a business park fit well next to residential.

Dennis and Ethel Seaton live on Bay Pines Drive, across from the proposed park. They have a 14-year-old son who has cerebral palsy and is sensitive to “bright lights and sudden noises,” his father said.

“There would be big lights up there,” he said. “This would cause major concern for us. It’s going to cause overwhelming congestion and my son to go into seizures.”

Residents also asked if the county had a plan to deal with the increasing traffic congestion in the area.

The speed limit on Old Pasco Road is 35 mph, but resident Jean Jakes said, “No one, including school buses, obeys it. You’re going to have to put a (traffic) light every three steps.”

Jakes didn’t see how industrial next to residential could be a good fit.

“There is no compatibility,” she said. “It doesn’t match the neighborhood. It doesn’t match the area. It doesn’t match the use of the land.”

County officials said differently zoned areas often sit next to each other, but that buffering requirements would provide separation between the business park and nearby homes.

The 91-acre site is close by an area in northeastern Pasco already targeted for new residential and commercial development.

The Connected City corridor encompasses about 7,800 acres of property designated as a state-approved development district. It is bordered by Interstate 75, State Road 52, and Curley and Overpass roads.

The initiative is focused on creating communities that are the wave of the future, with new jobs based on cutting edge technology. The first master-planned community under construction is Epperson, at Overpass and Curley.

Major road projects are underway to widen State Road 52 and build a new interchange at Overpass and I-75.

Old Pasco Road intersects State Road 52, which is being widened from two lanes to six lanes, from west of Old Pasco to east of Corporate Boulevard.

But, in response to residents’ queries, county officials said there are no plans or funds for widening Old Pasco. Any project likely would be in the long-range plan stretching to 2040.

Right of way is being obtained for the Overpass interchange, but construction isn’t scheduled until 2022.

Published January 24, 2018

Pasco could ease ban on digital signs for tourist venues

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Pasco County is getting ready to ease a ban on digital signs, but will retain strict limits.

The Pasco County Commission reviewed a proposal on Jan. 9 that would allow digital signs for “regional attractors” that hold a minimum of 50 tourist-related events a year.

The venues must be located on at least 200 acres or have buildings totaling a minimum of 35,000 square feet to qualify.

This digital sign at Pasco-Hernando State College is one of the few permitted digital signs in Pasco County. An amended ordinance could soon permit regional tourist venues the same privilege. (File)

The venues also must have 450 parking spaces or a minimum seating capacity for 2,000 people, and must have frontage on an arterial road or Interstate 75.

No digital signs would be permitted within Pasco’s designated northeast rural district. Currently, some area schools are permitted for digital signs, including Pasco-Hernando State College.

According to the proposed ordinance, the signs for regional tourist attractions could display “multiple differing messages in a short amount of time to the traveling public without creating the clutter of temporary signage and advertising devices.”

The two immediate beneficiaries of the new sign rules could be Pasco County Fairgrounds and Florida Hospital Center Ice.

Pasco County commissioners are scheduled to vote on the matter at two public hearings. The first was on Jan. 23 in New Port Richey; the second on Feb. 6 in Dade City.

“We’ve been trying to do this for quite some time,” said Dicky Brown, president of the Pasco County Fair Association.

The Pasco County Fair is held there annually but, Brown said, the venue hosts many more events throughout the year.

Some of those events include mud runs, gun shows and circuses.

“The digital sign would definitely give us some more attention,” Brown said.

Brown also noted that the county also could use the sign to get messages to residents during emergencies.

In recent months, the county has been addressing the matter of digital advertising in the age of LED lights, and rotating displays.

In February, commissioners agreed to lift a 17-year ban on digital billboards in a deal with outdoor advertising companies to eliminate older, static billboards.

The goal is to end clutter and blight on county roads.

Digital signs generally would remain banned.

The new rules under consideration would be the exception.

Restrictions on permitted digital signs would include:

  • A height limit of 11 feet, as part of a monument sign
  • A maximum of 60 seconds each for rotating messages
  • No special effects, such as flashes, scrolls or animation

Published January 24, 2018

Crystal Lagoon toasted with champagne at ribbon cutting

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The ribbon cutting for the Crystal Lagoon at Epperson — the first waterbody of its type in the United States — received warm applause from the crowd on an untypically chilly Florida morning.

The weather is expected to be warmer on April 28, when Olympic swimmer and gold medalist Michael Phelps is scheduled to kick off festivities at the lagoon and the master-planned community of Epperson.

Representatives from Crystal Lagoon, Metro Development Group and members of the Pasco County Commission cut the ribbon to celebrate a ‘topping off’ of water flowing into the Crystal Lagoon at Epperson. (Kathy Steele)

About 75 people gathered on Jan. 18 at the beachfront at the lagoon to toast champagne to celebrate the final drops of 16 million gallons of water topping off the lagoon.

With temperatures dipping into the 30s, people bundled up and sipped coffee or hot chocolate to stay warm.

The frigid air, however, did not chill the guests’ enthusiasm.

“This is just a great day,” said Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley. “It’s just amazing what you’ve done here. The only word that describes it is ‘awesome’.”

Other dignitaries at the event included Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Wells Jr.; Pasco County commissioners Mike Moore and Kathryn Starkey; Greg Singleton, president of Metro Development Group; and Christopher Souza, regional manager for Crystal Lagoon.

“The blues and the different hues of the water really pop out here,” Singleton said, during his opening remarks.

The ceremony was held on a small sandy beach that will be known as “Gasparilla Island,” built around a “tidal basin.”

“We envision it as a family area,” Singleton said.

The lagoon also will have Caribbean-style beaches and cabanas, a waterslide, entertainment plaza and water activities, including swimming, kayaking and paddleboarding.

Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore said the lagoon will put a national spotlight on Pasco.

“Anytime we get national attention, it’s a good thing,” Moore said.

Metro Development is building Epperson, which is expected to have 2,000 homes. There also will be commercial development, and a town center.

“It’s going to bring jobs to the area,” said Singleton. “This is the gateway to Connected City in the area. It’s going to bring positive things to the county.”

Next to Epperson, the master-planned community of Mirada also will be built. It will have its own, larger Crystal Lagoon.

Mirada and Epperson are within, what is designated as, the Connected City corridor. About 7,800 acres is set aside as a state-approved development district meant to foster residential communities and employment centers that are the wave of the future. The borders are Interstate 75, State Road 52, and Curley and Overpass roads.

Cutting-edge technology, including gigabit Internet speeds and self-driving vehicles, will be featured throughout Connected City.

Pasco County is a partner in the development of Connected City.

The project seemed almost too ambitious when Metro Development initially brought the project to Wells, prior to his election to the county commission about four years ago.

“I said, ‘You’re nuts. There’s no way,’” Wells said. But, he added, “This is a perfect example of a public-private partnership.”

Other developers are expected to offer their own projects for Connected City, which has an estimated build-out of 50 years. Metro Development is the beginning phase.

“They were pioneers in bringing it (Crystal Lagoon) to the United States,” said Souza, who described Crystal Lagoon as a water technology company. “It was a good starting point for us.”

The company now has an American headquarters in Miami.

Metro Development is building another Crystal Lagoon in south Hillsborough County for the Southshore Bay community. A lagoon also is planned in Fort Myers.

Published January 24, 2018

Mystic Pointe to open luxury apartments soon

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Residential construction is rapidly changing the landscape along State Road 54, west of its intersection with U.S. 41. Much of the construction is for single-family homes.

But, a new project on State Road 54, at Meadowbrook Drive, is adding 252 apartments to the mix.

Mystic Pointe will begin preleasing soon on 252 upscale apartments within a gated community that will offer amenities such as a heated saltwater swimming pool, dog park and children’s playground. (Courtesy of Mystic Pointe)

Mystic Pointe is under construction at 2770 Mystic Pointe Parkway. The upscale, gated community will sit between Bexley by Newland Communities to the west and Ballantrae to the east.

Preleasing on one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments could begin within the next month or so.

“Pasco County is booming all along State Road 54 corridor, by leaps and bounds,” said Jeneece Chaplin, property manager at Mystic Pointe for Rane Property Management LLC. “We’re lucky to be part of that. It’s a great spot, a great location.”

The design theme for the complex is tropical.

“It will have that Key West style,” said Chaplin.

Residents will be able to choose from a variety of floor plans. Features include wood flooring throughout (with the exception of carpeted bedrooms), granite countertops and stainless steel appliances.

Each of the complex’s apartment buildings will have elevators.

Residents also will have access to a clubhouse, heated saltwater swimming pool, a dog park, a bocce court, bicycle storage, a state-of-the-art fitness center, business center, and an outdoor kitchen area with a fire pit and barbecue.

The pet-friendly apartment complex will consider larger dogs, which Chaplin said many complexes don’t allow.

Rents will start at about $1,180 for a one-bedroom/one-bathroom apartment, but Chaplin said the fee will include valet trash, Internet connection, a cable package from Direct TV and pest control.

Mystic Pointe touts its proximity to many area destinations. It has easy access to the Suncoast Parkway and Interstate 275 for trips to downtown Tampa, Brooksville, New Port Richey, area shopping malls, such as The Shops at Wiregrass and Tampa Premium Outlets, and west coast beaches.

For information, call Mystic Pointe at (813) 702-2876.

Published January 24, 2018

Event raises awareness about human trafficking

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The third annual Light Up the Night Awareness event was more than just the glimmer of candles.

It radiated hope, for many.

The beautiful, clear cool weather attracted a large gathering to help support victims of human trafficking, domestic violence, and drug abuse.

The event began at 4:30 p.m. with the 5K run and 1-mile walk/run at the Porter Campus of Pasco-Hernando State College, with 314 participants.

Ceremonies then moved to the upper deck of the parking garage at The Shops at Wiregrass, where inspirational speakers, musicians, vendors, activities and entertainment for all ages.

Awards were presented to a number of organizations, including Bridging Freedom, Healing Root Ministry, Justice Restoration Center, Loving You Where You Are At, and Redefining Refuge.

Ceremonies concluded with a candlelight vigil.

By Randy Underhill

Published January 24, 2018

Three-year-old Olivia Luna, of New Port Richey, is held by her mother Veronica, as the little girl pets a therapy horse owned by Julie Shematz, from Beauty from Ashes Ministries. Olivia’s dad, Alan, watches as his daughter pets the horse. (Randy Underhill)
Jennifer McGill, a Nashville recording artist, performs ‘Unbreakable’ for the large crowd on a cool pleasant evening for the Light Up the Night awareness event on Jan. 20.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edie Rhea, a survivor of abuse, addresses a crowd at Pasco-Hernando State College before the 5K and 1-mile walk/run. She was abused for a number of years, but survived and now heads Healing Root Ministry at First Baptist of Lutz.
Overflow performs as the opening act of Light Up the Night on Jan. 20.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Both artists and visitors flock to Wesley Chapel for arts fest

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At the Kid’s Art Garden section, Kaitlyn Pratt of Tampa, watches her 1 ½-year-old son, Reid, as he paints a picture using watercolor paints. (Christine Holtzman)

Sunshine and mild temperatures combined to offer perfect weather for the 13th annual Suncoast Arts Fest, at The Shops at Wiregrass on Jan. 20 and Jan. 21.

Paseo Drive was closed to vehicle traffic, so approximately 125 vendors could line the street, showcasing their wares — including photographic prints, paintings, ceramics, jewelry, garden decorations, clothing and more.

The free Kid’s Art Garden area allowed children of all ages to express their creativity through face painting, watercolors, sidewalk chalk and other interactive activities.

The bluegrass folk band Gypsy Wind plays a jazzy number during its set on the afternoon of Jan. 20.

The Emerging Artist exhibit displayed some of the best work created by Pasco County students.   The event included free entertainment throughout the weekend, making this a fun, family friendly gathering.

Proceeds from the annual arts festival benefit arts education in Pasco County public, private and charter schools.

By Christine Holtzman

Published January 24, 2018

 

 

Shane Maiden, left, and his 10-year-old son Shane Jr., of Wesley Chapel, use 3D glasses to admire the various lowbrow pop art works of Vodka Bacon Studios. Artist Nelson Perez, who grew up in Tampa but now lives in St. Louis, states that his art is 2D, but has a 3D effect when viewed with 3D glasses.
At the Land O’ Lakes High School Honor Society booth, Arty Contreras, left, a 2016 graduate of Land O’ Lakes High School, holds a mirror so Penelope Pratt, age 5, of Tampa, can admire herself painted as a blue tiger.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Melrose Hinton, age 4, of Clearwater, left, gets her face painted as her favorite animal, a butterfly, by Ariana Quiles, age 16, a sophomore at Land O’ Lakes High School.
Bryan Hoag, of Tampa, a cast member with the Bay Area Renaissance Festival, plays the role of ‘Simon Lattaire,’ the village tin smith.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brandon Wilde, of Tampa, a cast member with the Bay Area Renaissance Festival, dances in the street as he portrays the character of ‘Mathis Henshawe,’ a master mummer of monologues.
Six-year-old Katie Cullison, left, and her 4-year-old sister Olivia, of Wesley Chapel, use chalk to draw a flower and a heart at the Kid’s Art Garden area of the Suncoast Arts Fest.

Raising Cane fest offers sweet and savory flavors

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The annual Raising Cane event held Jan. 13 at the Pioneer Florida Museum & Village, 15602 Pioneer Museum Road in Dade City, gave visitors a chance to purchase homemade cane syrup, taste some chili, see cane grinding and enjoy live entertainment. Musicians who enjoy jamming had a chance to do that, too, and there was even a miniature donkey at the event.

Published January 24, 2018

Six-year-old Sofia Quintero, of Clearwater, samples some chili on tostados prepared by Deana Mazurkiewicz, of Zephyrhills. (Richard K. Riley)
Six-year-old Sofia Quintero, of Clearwater, samples some chili on tostados prepared by Deana Mazurkiewicz, of Zephyrhills.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This miniature donkey was part of the Raising Cane festival.
Dade City Manager Billy Poe won first place with his chicken chili in the People’s Choice competition.

 

 

 

Festival-goers enjoy heaping helpings of barbecue and blues

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Ed Wright, left, and Chuck Riley, of the Ed Wright Duo, were the opening act at the eighth annual Pigz in Z’Hills BBQ & Blues Festival. (B.C. Manion)

Visitors to the eighth annual Pigz in Z’Hills BBQ & Blues Festival had plenty of tasty temptations awaiting them.

The scent of barbecue smoke flavored the air, as guests made their way up and down aisles of booths offering slabs of ribs, pork sandwiches, pulled pork, coleslaw, baked beans, and all sorts of sides. There was plenty of beer to wash down those meals, and there were treats — such as funnel cakes and fried Oreo cookies, to top them off.

Chris and Missy Moon, of Dade City

Chris and Missy Moon, of Dade City, said they came with a strategy. They planned to try a variety of foods, sharing their purchases as they went along.

“We’re going to make our rounds,” Missy Moon said.

“We skipped breakfast, so we’d have plenty of room,” Chris Moon said, noting the couple came to the event to support the community.

Published January 24, 2018

Suncoast Arts Fest getting ready for really, really big show

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Fine Arts of the Suncoast Inc., is getting ready for this 13th annual Suncoast Arts Fest — featuring 110 artists from across the country and Canada.

Photographer Thomas Styczynski is from Santa Barbara, California. (Courtesy of Jennifer Douglas, Suncoast Arts Fest festival manager)

The event, held at The Shops at Wiregrass in Wesley Chapel, is scheduled for Jan. 20 and Jan. 21.

When the weather is good, the two-day event has drawn up to 80,000 visitors, said Jennifer Douglas, the festival manager.

She noted that “the quality of the art continues to grow, along with the reputation of the festival.”

The festival manager added that she’s “particularly proud of the live entertainment we’ve lined up for the Mainstage.

“I think our visitors will be blown away by the talent and diversity featured this year,” Douglas said.

Beyond a wide array of art to see and purchase, the free public event also offers live entertainment, chalk art murals, kids’ art projects and other highlights.

Mr. Harley will be providing an interactive show for children during the Suncoast Arts Fest, being held this weekend at The Shops at Wiregrass. He is slated to perform on Jan. 21.

Artists must compete for a place in the show, and this year there were 166 applicants vying for a spot. Categories at the show include ceramics/clay, digital, drawing, fiber, glass, jewelry, leather, metal, mixed media, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture and wood.

The juried arts competition will award $14,000 in cash prizes.

Live entertainment will be featured on the Mainstage at Center Court, located at the festival midpoint across from Macy’s.

The festival will kick off on Jan. 20 with performances by The Richey Suncoast Kid’s Theatre and The Wesley Chapel Wind Ensemble.

At noon, Gypsy Wind, will share its unique blend of bluegrass, folk and old jazz favorites. Other performers in the afternoon will include The Frankie Raye Trio, and at 3:40 p.m., headliners Violectric, with its passionate fusion of classical string instruments and cutting-edge technology and effects.

Glass artist Rollin Karg is from Kechi, Kansas.

As the current Artists-in-Residence at Orlando’s Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Violectric has opened for Sting, Adam Levine, Ne-Yo, David Foster, Kristen Chenoweth, Katherine McPhee, Sia, Twenty-One Pilots, Rascal Flatts, and Huey Lewis and the News.

On Jan. 21, Suncoast Arts Fest radio sponsor, WGHR Hits 106, will be broadcasting live with performances on the Mainstage by children’s musician, Mr. Harley; followed by classical world guitarist Nikola Baltic, and Pasco favorites Barefoot Bob and the Hope. Tampa blues legend Sarasota Slim will close out the festival.

The event also has plenty of activities for kids.

The Kids’ Art Garden, presented by Suncoast Credit Union, has free Picasso-themed art projects, face painting and a scavenger hunt.

The Art Makerspace, sponsored by Chasco Middle School, will demonstrate its mobile 3D printer, and the festival’s Emerging Artist Exhibit will be back, featuring the talent of Pasco County elementary, middle and high school students.

This drawing is by artist Marie Rust, of Bitely, Michigan.

Other highlights will include chalk artists and strolling entertainment by the Bay Area Renaissance Festival.

Suncoast Arts Fest is produced by Fine Arts of the Suncoast Inc., a charitable organization dedicated to developing a community culture that embraces the arts.

All proceeds from the Suncoast Arts Fest benefit “Arts for Education,” a grant fund created by the festival’s parent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Fine Arts of the Suncoast Inc. This mini-grant program provides project support to supplement arts education funding in public, private and charter schools in Pasco County.

In 2017, more than $6,000 in mini-grants was awarded, bringing the grand total distributed to nearly $100,000 since the organization’s inception.

Suncoast Arts Fest
Where: The Shops at Wiregrass
When: Jan. 20, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Jan. 21, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Cost: Free admission and parking
Details: A juried show featuring works by 110 fine arts and crafts artists from across the nation and Canada. The event also features live entertainment and children’s activities.
Info: SuncoastArtsFest.com

Published January 17, 2018