The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Local News

Be proactive to protect yourself from possible hurricane threats

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(File)

Perhaps no one knows better than Floridians how unpredictable the path of hurricanes can be.

First, it looks like there’s going to be a direct hit and then the hurricane veers off — catching another community off-guard causing devastating impacts from high winds and storm surge.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency suggests a number of actions  residents can take well before a hurricane threatens, to help keep themselves and their property safe:

  • Elevate or flood-proof heating, ventilation and air conditioning, and/or mechanical units, ductwork, electrical systems and other utilities. 
  • Install hurricane shutters to protect windows and glass doors.
  • Reinforce garage and double-entry doors to prevent failure under wind pressure.
  • Check with the local floodplain manager to see if your home needs to be elevated, and if so, by how much.
  • Install flood vents in foundation walls, garages and other enclosed areas.
  • Use flood-resistant materials in areas of your home below the Base Flood Elevation( BFE). For example, replace carpeting with tiles or use flood-resistant insulation and gypsum wallboard (Sheetrock).
  • Anchor any fuel tanks to the floor. Make sure the vents and fill line openings are above the BFE. (This may require approval from your fuel provider.) Fuel tanks can tip over or float, releasing fuels in liquid or gas form creating a fire or explosion hazard.
  • Install a backflow valve on your sewer system to prevent sewage backup in your home. 
  • Add a waterproof veneer to exterior walls to prevent damage from shallow flooding. Seal your basement walls with waterproofing compounds.
  • Prune oversized trees and shrubs.
  • Keep drains and gutters clear of debris.

Published February 21, 2024

Steps being taken to improve traffic safety on U.S. 301

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Pasco County Commission Chairman Ron Oakley informed his colleagues during a recent board meeting that the county and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) are responding to a traffic situation on U.S. 301 that has become dangerous.

During the county board’s Feb. 6 meeting, Oakley said he met with residents at Tropical Acres Estates, which is off U.S. 301, in Zephyrhills.

“There was a full room,” Oakley said. “They were very concerned about their exit and entrance onto (U.S.) 301, between (State Road) 39 and (State Road) 56.”

There has been a traffic fatality and have been other accidents, too, the county board chairman said.

“I originally thought that we had already started the construction of a four-lane, from (State Road) 39, back down to (State Road) 56, only to find out that hasn’t even started and all of these issues are created right here at this entrance to Tropical Acres Estates,” he said.

He reached out to FDOT officials to see if there might be a traffic light installed.

“I got information that it could be up to a year before a light comes, and it’s going to be right at their entrance. But in the meantime, they’ve got this issue going on. And, I’m sure the people across the way probably have a similar issue,” Oakley said.

But the issue is different across the way because people leaving there are turning right to head to Zephyrhills, he said.

So, until a more permanent solution is available, Oakley recommended a temporary fix.

“I suggested that possibly we can make a right-turn only out of Tropical Acres Estates and put some flashing (warning) lights up, first,” Oakley said.

The county board chairman expected those actions to be taken quickly.

“It’s all based on safety,” Oakley said.

Published February 14, 2024

LEO at Cypress Creek planned for San Antonio

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Miami-based developer Advenir Capital LLC has begun work on a new community that will be built on 40 acres, off State Road 52, just north of the Publix at Mirada.

The development, known as LEO at Cypress Creek, was designed by Nequette Architecture & Design of Birmingham, according to a news release. General contractor BBL Building Co., based in Dallas, will begin construction in June on the $93.5 million development.

This rendering depicts the future community of LEO at Cypress Creek. Site preparations have begun on the built-to-rent development that will feature 315 residences, with housing types including a mixture of standalone cottages, duplexes and townhomes. The first units are expected to be delivered by June 2025, with project completion expected in 2026. (Courtesy Advenir Capital)

LEO at Cypress Creek features 315 built-to-rent units, a clubhouse and a pool on 36 acres. The project also has 4 acres designated for commercial use.

The housing types are a mixture of traditional standalone cottages, duplexes and townhomes. They range in size from one-bedroom with 728 square feet to the three-bedrooms with 1,510 square feet, the release says.

Amenities include a resort-style swimming pool, a clubhouse with 24-hour fitness center, an E-lounge, free Wi-Fi throughout the community, pocket parks and a pet washing station, according to the release.

The first units at LEO at Cypress Creek are expected to be delivered by June 2025, according to Matt Vecchitto, principal of Advenir Capital LLC d/b/a LEO@Cypress Creek LLC. The community is expected to be completed by the spring of 2026.

The new San Antonio development is less than 2 miles east of Interstate 75.

Advenir selected the location for its proximity to the 965-acre Double Branch master-planned development, which broke ground in 2023, the release says. That project has been approved for 400,000 square feet of retail, 725,000 square feet of office and 4 million square feet of industrial. It is expected to employ 6,000 people.

LEO at Cypress Creek also will benefit from its proximity to the 1.4 million-square-foot Target fulfillment center that is expected to be completed in 2024 and is expected to employ 2,400. The development also is close to the recently announced 365,000-square-foot Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, the release notes.

For more information about LEO Cypress Creek, visit LeoLiving.com.

Published February 14, 2024

Ag shows, entertainment, fried foods and fun

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Even before the 77th annual Pasco County Fair gets rolling — there’s a championship rodeo at the Pasco County Fairgrounds on Feb. 16 and Feb. 17.

The first day of the fair kicks off with the fair parade — with the theme “Buckets of Fun for Everyone.”

Fair-goers looking to grab a bite at the 2024 Pasco County Fair will have ample choices, including corn dogs, pizza, grilled cheese, Italian sausage sandwiches, corn-on-the-cob, turkey legs, hamburgers, cotton candy, funnel cakes and more. This is a look at food offerings during a previous fair. (File)

That’s set to begin at 11:30 a.m., on Feb. 19, in downtown Dade City.

The fair, held at the fairgrounds, at 36722 County Road 52, will run Feb. 19 through Feb. 25.

There are so many choices at the fair, it’s a good idea to check out its website ahead of time, to give yourself the best chance to take advantage of what it has to offer.

Of course, there are the typical agricultural shows and competitions including beef, dairy, poultry, rabbit and swine.

There’s a plant contest, too, and competitions involving the FFA (Future Farmers of America) and 4H.

Other competitions include home arts, community exhibits, the Pasco Showcase of Talent and the karaoke contest.

Take a ride on a Ferris wheel to get an excellent vantage point of what’s happening on the ground at the Pasco County Fair.

If you want to grab a bite to eat, the fair will have plenty of options, including corn dogs, pizza, grilled cheese, turkey legs and Italian sausage sandwiches. There’s a wide range of sweets, too, including fried Oreos, cotton candy and funnel cakes, to name a few.

The fair also features dozens of rides, some with names like The Hurricane, The Beast and Cliff Hanger, which sound perfect for thrill seekers; and others, which are milder, and are geared toward tiny tots.

There’s a long list of entertainment options, including a Legends in Revue Night, on Feb. 20; a Bluegrass Night on Feb. 21; and a Gospel Night, on Feb. 22 — with performances beginning each evening at 6 p.m.

Plus, there are all sorts of other acts, including Mad Chad, the chainsaw juggler; the Strong & Amazing Ariel Stunt Show featuring Laura J.; magician and illusionist Jay Mattioli; Lew-E’s Comedy Circus, Robinson’s Racing Pigs; Hot Glass, a glass-blowing demonstration; Doc Magic Balloons; and Crazy Boy Coy, a comedic fire eater.

The Pasco County Fair got its start in 1947 when a group of businessmen decided to start a fair to showcase the county’s resources. San Antonio rancher D.E. Cannon along with agriculture agent Jimmy Higgins and businessmen George Nickolas, Bob Williams and Joe Collure worked together on the project, according to the fair website.

The men found a 40-acre site off County Road 52 (formerly State Road 52),  and raised $3,500 to purchase it.

The rest, as they say, is history.

Pasco County Fair
When: Feb. 19 through Feb. 25
Where: Pasco County Fairground, 36722 County Road 52, Dade City
Cost: $10 for adults; $5 for children ages 6 to 12; free for those age 5 and under (Feb. 20 is carload night. The charge is $70 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., for a carload of up to six belted passengers, which includes admission and a ride wristband.)
Details: The fair will feature rides, food, entertainment and all sorts of competitions.  Info: PascoCountyFair.com

Published February 14, 2024

Two Rivers emerging on Pasco and Hillsborough borders

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Two Rivers — a massive new development flanking the borders of Pasco and Hillsborough counties — will be breaking ground on a new health, wellness and dining club for its residents.

Two Rivers is a massive master-planned community that will feature housing ranging from the low $300,000s to $5 million, and is being built on land flanking the borders of Pasco and Hillsborough counties. (Courtesy of Eisenhower Property Group)

The new facility will feature tennis, pickleball, pools, playgrounds, gathering spaces, a bar and a restaurant, according to information provided to The Laker/Lutz News.

Two Rivers is a master-planned community situated on both sides of the county line, off State Road 56, between Morris Bridge Road and U.S. 301.

A regional district park is planned in the community, as well as shopping, dining and office spaces, according to a news release.

A luxury community known as Flatwoods is located on the Hillsborough County side of the development. It will be home to Flatwoods Golf and Country Club, which will feature a private country club with a spa, an 18-hole golf course and other recreational amenities.

This map depicts a portion of a new master-planned community that will include a regional district park, shopping, dining, office spaces and an array of amenities.

The golf course, designed by David McLay Kidd at DMK Golf Design, has an estimated completion date of 2025.

Home options in Two Rivers will range from the low $300,000s to more than $5 million.

Newly announced builders in Two Rivers include Casa Fresca, Homes by WestBay, MI Homes, Meritage Homes, Park Square Homes, Pulte Homes, William Ryan Homes, and Taylor Morrison.

The first villages, Northwater with homes by D.R. Horton and Childers with homes by Lennar, have sold hundreds of homes and already have residents enjoying their new lives at Two Rivers, the news release says.

The first two amenity centers in Northwater and Childers are underway, featuring two clubhouses with pools, playgrounds and gathering spaces and are expected to be open this summer.

At completion, Two Rivers will include more than 7,500 homes, townhomes, apartments and villas featuring a variety of builders and commercial partners.

Models in the first phase already are open, with the next phase of models slated for late summer 2024. To learn more about the community, sign up for updates and view the latest new home details, visit TwoRiversFL.com.

Published February 14, 2024

New projects proposed for Land O’ Lakes, Wesley Chapel

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The Pasco County Planning Commission has recommended approval of rezoning and land use changes proposed for potential projects in Land O’ Lakes and Wesley Chapel.

The planning board’s action was part of its consent agenda, meaning there was no board discussion and no public comment. Items on this agenda are approved in a single motion, unless someone on the board or at the meeting asked for an item to have a presentation.

On Jan. 18, the planning board recommended approval of:

  • A request by Tibbetts Land at Gowers Corner to change a currently zoned master-planned unit development (MPUD) to an MPUD to allow for 300,000 square feet of retail and office, and up to 400 multifamily apartments on approximately 49 acres at the southwest corner of the intersection of State Road 52 and U.S. 41. The applicant has agreed to dedicate 10 units for affordable housing.
  • A request by EFH Holdings LLC/Elite Pavers to change zoning from agricultural and general commercial to general commercial, on the west side of Land O’ Lakes Boulevard, approximately 1,500 feet north of Gator Lane on approximately 3.8 acres. The site consists of Elite Pavers of Tampa Bay. The applicant proposes to develop the property in conformance with general commercial uses, and the applicant has agreed to a deed restriction to limit the uses to commercial uses.
  • A request by The Corwyn at Wesley Hills MPUD to rezone agricultural land to an MPUD zoning district to allow a maximum of 350 multifamily units, 7,500 square feet of office and 7,500 square feet of commercial on approximately 24.4 acres. The project is located north of State Road 54 and west of Eiland Boulevard, in Wesley Chapel. The rezoning is a companion of a comprehensive plan amendment request to change the future land use designation on the property from six residential units per acre to MPUD.

Published February 14, 2024

Disney Springs: It is much more than just shopping and dining

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Disney Springs is a shopping, dining and entertainment mecca in the shadows of Walt Disney World’s theme parks.

But it is not just that.

For a great view of Lake Buena Vista, hop on the Aerophile balloon ride. It gives passengers a vantage point from an elevation of 400 feet. (Karen Haymon Long)

It’s a melting pot of, not just America, but of the world.

Stroll along the wide boulevards of the outdoor-indoor complex and you’ll hear Spanish and French, Chinese and Portuguese, and accents from all over the United States.

You can read the complex’s website in English, Spanish, French and Portuguese, too.

Visitors come from everywhere.

You’ll see little girls in shiny princess dresses, boys wearing Pluto ears, and adults in T-shirts and sweatshirts from Key West to Alaska.

Restaurants at Disney Springs span the globe, too.

Gideon’s Bakehouse, which specializes in gourmet cookies, is a very popular place at Disney Springs. A line of about 200 people were patiently waiting to get in, on a recent Saturday.

An Asian restaurant serves dim sum and egg rolls, while a Mexican one offers carne asada. A large Brazilian restaurant serves skewered meat, while a French bakery specializes in fancy cakes, and an Italian trattoria in paninis and handmade pastas.

The Polite Pig offers Southern barbecue pork and chicken, The House of Blues combines beer, blues and BBQ.

The 69 restaurants and cafes in the complex sell pizza, fried chicken, churros, poutine, burgers, donuts and everything else imaginable. 

By far, the most popular eatery when we were there was Gideon’s Bakehouse. At least 200 people stood patiently in line to wait for one person to come out so one more could go in. 

The place specializes in small-batch “from scratch” cookies, weighing what they claim are almost a half- pound. The cost is $6 to $6.50 per cookie.

Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse ears are in plentiful supply at the many candy shops in Disney Springs. These treats are chocolate-covered apples.

Most people probably flock to Disney Springs for the food, or to the movies at a dine-in AMC theater, or to see a spectacular show at Cirque du Soleil, which has its own soaring building there.

But it’s just as much fun to watch the people enjoying themselves in a pleasant environment.

On a recent Saturday, thousands of people of all ages mingled together along the boulevards, in the restaurants and shops. Despite the numbers, it all seemed very orderly. Very civil.

It was crowded, yes, but the crowds flowed, escalators took throngs to and from giant parking lots that are color-coded so visitors could remember where they parked.

Children will likely get a big kick when they see this dragon jutting out of a lagoon that meanders through Disney Springs.

“No one organizes better than Disney,” one man said, watching the processions. “That’s Disney’s specialty.”

The area Disney Springs now covers along Lake Buena Vista has evolved over the years. It started out as an area of nightlife, with bars and restaurants attracting mostly adults.

Then it expanded to a place for families, too, with the movie theater, restaurants, boat rides and even a giant record store. The record store is gone now, but the area has Splitsville Luxury Lanes for upscale bowling, a giant balloon ride and little colorful vintage sports cars that float along the lake.

A newer area has been added over the years to include all sorts of stores. Coach, Columbia Sportswear, Under Armour, Lacoste, The Lego Store, Star Wars Trading Post, Anthropologie, Tommy Bahama, Kate Spade New York, and even a Ron Jon Surf Shop are among the 97 places to shop.

For kids, there’s a giant Disney store, candy and ice cream shops, an M&M store, a soccer store, a Super Hero Headquarters and the Dino-Store at T-Rex, featuring a 15-foot T-Rex and discovery zones for dino enthusiasts. 

Vintage sports cars can drive on land and float on water at Disney Springs. They offer 20-minute guided tours of Lake Buena Vista.

One shop sells chocolate-covered apples sporting Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse ears.

Many buildings are Mediterranean, with red tiled roofs. One along the lake looks like a rustic boathouse on a working wharf. Old-fashioned street lamps light up at night. Musicians entertain on a stage looking out over the lake. 

The boulevards get more crowded as the day progresses, as babies nap in strollers and tired shoppers rest on park benches. 

On the day we visited, bubbles mysteriously started floating over kids in Mickey Mouse ears, around teens snapping selfies and adults clutching shopping bags. Bubbles breezed across shop windows, spun overhead. 

No one seemed to know where they were coming from, but everyone watched as they sailed lazily toward the sky. They made me think of a sign I had seen that day in a shop window: Be as happy everywhere else as you were here today.

Where: Disney Springs, 1486 Buena Vista Drive, Lake Buena Vista
When: Hours vary, but most days are 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Info: DisneySprings.com offers an interactive map, visitor and parking information and entertainment details.

Published February 14, 2024

Protect yourself from online rental scams

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The Pasco Sheriff’s Office has issued some pointers to help people avoid rental scams.

(Stock photo)

Here are some precautions to take to help keep yourself safe:

Meet with the property owner or property manager in person before disclosing any financial information.

Use reputable sites to locate properties.

Research online listings and real estate company reviews.

Be cautious regarding properties that have multiple listings

Do not complete real estate transactions without seeing the property.

Do not pay for rental properties using mobile payment apps, gift cards or virtual currency.

Published February 14, 2024

Pasco County fires warning shots in battle over ‘Live Local’ exemptions

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Pasco County’s legal team has sent letters to representatives of two apartment developments that the county intends to sue them, if the apartment complexes seek to invoke tax exemptions authorized through the state’s Live Local Act.

David Goldstein, chief assistant county attorney, sent letters dated Feb. 7 to representatives of Passco Cypress Creek DST and to Trinity Odessa Apartments LLC.

In the letter, Goldstein advises the representatives that the county is aware that each entity has filed an application with the Florida Housing Finance Corporation for a certification notice, which is a preliminary step in applying for a property tax exemption under the Live Local Act.

Goldstein also tells the representatives that Pasco County views the Live Local Act as being unconstitutional. He warns the apartment representatives that if they seek to invoke the exemption permitted under Live Local, the county will take them to court.

Goldstein’s letter contends the Live Local Act is unconstitutional because it grants a tax exemption to entities “that are not charitable organizations” and “that are not engaging in any act of charity.”

The county also argues that the Live Local Act “effectively authorizes the expenditure of public ad valorem revenues for a private purpose.”

Plus, the letter argues the exemption “unconstitutionally impairs Pasco County’s contractual obligations to repay its general obligation bonds.”

In addition to the constitutional issues, the letter points out that the exemption will jeopardize the county’s ability to provide essential public services.

Each letter essentially says the same thing, but in the case of Passco Cypress Creek, it notes that the rent of $2,047.50 for a two-bedroom apartment is not affordable for a sheriff’s deputy, firefighter or school teacher. 

Goldstein makes the same argument relating to Trinity Odessa Apartments LLC, but in that instance, the attorney says the rent for a two-bedroom apartment of $2,025 is not affordable for a sheriff’s deputy, firefighter or school teacher.

In each letter, Goldstein advises the representatives that the Pasco County Commission has authorized its legal team “to file a declaratory judgment against any entity seeking to invoke the Live Local Property Tax Exemption.”

In each letter, Goldstein adds: “To avoid the time and expense of litigating the Live Local Property Tax Exemption with Pasco County, and to avoid the negative impact on essential public services, we strongly urge you to withdraw (or not file) an application for the Live Local Property Tax Exemption.”

Goldstein also attached a complaint for declaratory judgment and supplemental injunctive relief to each letter.

He told the representatives that if they pursue tax exemption, the county will immediately file the attached documents for legal action.

Goldstein’s letters are just the latest effort in the county’s battle to fight potential impacts from the Live Local Act.

Elected leaders have been ringing alarm bells about the potentially dire consequences the tax exemptions could have on county revenues.

The Live Local Act, adopted by the Legislature last year, aims to increase workforce housing across the state by allowing the conversion of land zoned for commercial, industrial or mixed uses into multifamily developments — provided the project serves people who meet income criteria.

The law also preempts local government from blocking the developments and it allows a tax exemption for newly constructed or substantially rehabilitated developments that meet criteria for setting aside units for households earning 120% of Area Median Income (AMI).

The law’s intent was to make housing affordable to enable workers to live and work in the same community.

In Pasco’s case, 120% AMI means apartment developments charging market rate, or above market rate, could qualify for the exemption, elected leaders have said, during previous discussions of the issue.

They also have argued that the law undermines the county’s persistent attempts to bring more jobs to a county that has long played a bedroom community role for nearby jobs-rich counties.

Seven out of 10 members of Pasco’s workforce commute elsewhere for their jobs.

The Pasco County Commission has been focused on efforts to bring jobs closer to home for its residents through its policy decisions that protect industrial and commercial lands from being converted to residential uses.

Based on a calculation for the two apartment complexes that have applied to convert to Live Local, the county would lose about $38 million in lost tax revenues, Goldstein reported at a recent county board meeting. Plus, the attorney said, that could just be the tip of the iceberg, if other apartment complexes seek the exemption.

Other taxing bodies, such as the school board, would also feel the impacts.

The issue came up at the Pasco County School Board’s Feb. 6 meeting, when board member Alison Crumbley briefed her colleagues on the issue.

She likened the potential negative financial impacts to a “tsunami.”

Betsy Kuhn, assistant superintendent for school support services, said the school district is pursuing possible changes to lessen potential effects on district revenues.

Published February 14, 2024

Clothing swap aims to help those less fortunate

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The GFWC Pasco Junior Woman’s Club will host a free clothing swap on Feb. 20 at 6:30 p.m., at the Land O’ Lakes Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, in the front activity room.

(Courtesy of GFWC Pasco Junior Woman’s Club)

The event began in 2018 and has become a standing activity in the community.

The swap gives individuals an opportunity to go through their closets and purge items that are still in great shape, but no longer wanted. Participants bring their clothes to the event and can look through the donations brought in by others to take something ‘new to you’ home. No money is exchanged.

Clothes and shoes of all shapes and sizes can be donated. Used socks and underwear will not be accepted.

All items left behind will be distributed to local charities such as Sunrise of Pasco, the Cinderella Project, local homeless support charities, and Title 1 schools.

Most needed items are formal wear for high school proms, winter wear of all sizes, and throw blankets.

In 2023, the Pasco Juniors hosted three swaps and collected more than 2,000 pieces of clothing, as well as shoes and other household items.

For information, visit Facebook.com/GFWCPascoJuniors.

Published February 14, 2024