The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Wesley Chapel/New Tampa News

More actions needed for traffic safety, Watergrass residents say

By

Watergrass residents are continuing to push Pasco County to make more road improvements to reduce safety concerns in their area.

Some residents appeared before the Pasco County Commission, during the public comment section of the Sept. 5 board meeting, urging the board to take action.

The Watergrass area has been dealing with increased traffic since a new interchange opened at Overpass Road and Interstate 75.

Residents have called for road improvements to provide more options for motorists entering into their community.

Watergrass community residents in Wesley Chapel appeared before the Pasco County Commission on Sept. 5 to voice their concerns about road improvements and increased traffic in their area ever since a new interchange opened at Overpass Road and Interstate 75 earlier this year. (Mike Camunas)

One Watergrass resident, who lives on Summerglade Drive, told the county board she expects additional issues to result from the construction of a new development called Vida’s Way.

Pulte Homes has announced plans that it will be building a development on more than 332 acres of land in Wesley Chapel, which is less than five miles away from State Road 54 and State Road 56, and is close to Interstate 75.

It plans to build 700 homes in the first phase of its development, according to information previously provided to The Laker/Lutz News.

The Watergrass resident addressing the board said she’s concerned about impacts from construction trucks traveling into the area while the project is being built.

She said conditions already are hazardous.

“On a daily basis, it’s taking your life into your hands, coming out of this neighborhood,” she said.

“How do we slow down the traffic on Overpass (Road) so people start thinking about the people that live in this community?” she asked.

She added that accidents occur, as motorists try to get ahead of each other, and that fire trucks aren’t able to get through when traffic is backed up.

“There’s nowhere for people to pull off,” she said.

She said the county needs to do more to address infrastructure needs, as growth continues.

“We need to get serious at looking at all of this development.

“How can we do this so it’s thoughtful and it’s not just to generate new tax revenue from new houses being built?”

Another resident expressed similar concerns.

She predicted that thousands of construction trucks will be headed to Vida Way, as that project is being built.

“Right now, the only way in, is going down Overpass (Road) and down Watergrass Parkway,” she said.

The community is “begging and pleading” that the county fast-track projects that are already planned in the area.

Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley, whose district includes this area, asked county staff to bring back “some answers that are more concrete (regarding traffic problems in Watergrass) than have been given, so we all know how the traffic is going to flow.”

He added: “We need to do everything we can to get a resolution in there that will satisfy those citizens along that way.”

County Administrator Mike Carballa told the board: “We are probably looking for a developer-in-kind project going on out there. We’ll talk with the team, figure out what the challenges are and we’ll see how we tackle them.”

Commissioner Seth Weightman told Carballa: “Whatever relief we can get there would be fantastic.”

Published September 20, 2023

Pasco board approves $15.2 million for Wiregrass sports field project

By

Construction is expected to begin on additional fields at the Wiregrass Ranch Sports Camp as part of a $15.2 million project that is scheduled to be completed by fall 2024. (File)

The Pasco County Commission has approved a contract with Trias for slightly more than $15.2 million for phase two of the Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus, in Wesley Chapel.

The specific not-to-exceed amount of the contract is for $15,211,150.

The county board voted 4-0 to approve the contract.

During a previous commission meeting, the board approved pursuing a loan for $12 million to cover costs associated with the project. The loan is expected to be repaid with Tourist Development Tax revenues, since the sports complex plays a key role in the county’s tourism efforts. There is a possibility that the county will find another source of funding, but for now, the board is proceeding with the contract to allow it to proceed on a project that’s already about three years overdue, according to previous board discussions.

The planned improvements include:

  • Five multipurpose sports fields, with lighting (plus lighting at two existing fields)
  • Parking for the area
  • A concession stand with restrooms
  • Three pavilions
  • A multi-use trail
  • A parking area for the pavilions, concession stand and trail
  • A roadway loop to take teams to the multipurpose fields
  • Stormwater ponds
  • Additional landscaping

Here’s how those costs break down:

  • Exterior improvements, including fill, curbs, fencing, parking, roads: $6.6 million
  • Building (three pavilions, one multipurpose restroom/concession): $1.7 million
  • Fields (turf surface, under-draining, root zoning): $4.6 million
  • Electrical (lighting, street lighting): $1.3 million
  • Landscaping and irrigation: $450,000
  • Contingency: $250,000

Construction is expected to begin this fall with completion expected in fall 2024, according to documents in the county board’s Sept. 5 agenda packet.

Published September 13, 2023

State Road 54 widening in Wesley Chapel now open

By

A long-in-the-making road project in Wesley Chapel is now partially open.

State Road 54 in Wesley Chapel, just east of Curly Road headed toward Zephyrhills, has now opened its new lanes following its widening project that began in November 2017.

State Road 54 in Wesley Chapel, just east of Curly Road headed toward Zephyrhills, has now opened its new lanes following its widening project that began in November 2017. (Mike Camunas)

Starting at Curly Road and ending at Morris Bridge Road and Eiland Boulevard, there are now four lanes on the road, and then there are six lanes once State Road 54 hits Meadow Pointe Boulevard.

State Road 54 reverts back to two lanes, heading east and west, as construction work continues to finish the lanes and intersection at Morris Bridge and Eiland.

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), in preparation for Hurricane Idalia impacts, removed barrels in the construction zone from east of Curley and to the east of Morris Bridge/Eiland to assist in hurricane evacuation and eliminate potential projectiles. 

According to FDOT’s projects website, all thru-lanes are open. Dual-turn lanes are still operating in a single-lane turn configuration. Drivers are urged to use caution driving this area as it remains a construction zone.

As construction resumed after the storm, some barrels will be replaced, but lanes are expected to be open except for temporary lane closures in work areas for paving, striping and various work items.

The progress of the road has been of interest to thousands of people who move through the area.

This section of State Road 54 passes by several schools, including Creative School World – Wesley Chapel, Pinecrest Academy and New River Elementary, as well as churches (Calvary Baptist and Trinity Church), the New River Library and communities such as Hamilton Park, Chapel Crossings and Avalon Park.

Published September 13, 2023

Devouring cannolis — an offer they couldn’t refuse

By

Contestants were shoving in sweets at Moschella’s Italian Eatery & Market’s first Cannoli Eating Contest on Aug. 27. They were vying for prizes such as Tampa Lightning Bay and Busch Gardens tickets, and gift cards to the family-owned Italian market in Wesley Chapel, as dozens of onlookers and friends and family watched. Dan DeMarco won after eating six cannolis in his round.

Land O’ Lakes resident Trinity Boyle tries to keep down a cannoli during Moschella’s Italian Eatery & Market first-ever Cannoli Eating Contest in Wesley Chapel on Aug. 27. (Mike Camunas)
Allen Sciloi, left, and Eric Shavez, both of Wesley Chapel, try to devour as many cannolis as they can at Moschella’s Italian Eatery & Market first-ever Cannoli Eating Contest in Wesley Chapel on Aug. 27.
Land O’ Lakes resident Christa Boyle eats a cannoli as fast as she can during Moschella’s Italian Eatery & Market first-ever Cannoli Eating Contest in Wesley Chapel on Aug. 27.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ken Boyle, of Land O’ Lakes, downs a cannoli at Moschella’s Italian Eatery & Market in Wesley Chapel during its inaugural cannoli eating contest on Aug. 27. Boyle would come in third and take home prizes like gift cards to the market and a spa.
Wesley Chapel resident Chris Baron scarfs down cannolis at Moschella’s Italian Eatery & Market first-ever Cannoli Eating Contest in Wesley Chapel on Aug. 27.
Andrea Coleman, of Wesley Chapel, can’t figure out how to eat more cannolis during an eating contest on Aug. 27.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wesley Chapel resident Richard Colhauer attacks a cannoli at Moschella’s Italian Eatery & Market.
New Tampa resident Alan Hadaway takes a big bite of a cannoli at Moschella’s Italian Eatery & Market in Wesley Chapel.
Wesley Chapel resident John Walsh tries to keep down a cannoli.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liam Tighe, of Lutz, bites into a cannoli on Aug. 27 at Moschella’s Italian Eatery & Market’s cannoli eating contest in Wesley Chapel.
Spring Hill resident Vinny Albanese, center, can’t keep in a laugh trying to eat a cannoli and neither can Daniela Matinez, of Wesley Chapel, left, during an eating contest at Moschella’s Italian Eatery & Market.
Up to 25 contestants tried to outdo one another eating the most cannolis on Aug. 27 at Moschella’s Italian Eatery & Market in Wesley Chapel.

 

 

 

 

 

Pasco seeks $12 million loan for Wiregrass campus sports fields

By

The Pasco County Commission voted 4-1 to seek a $12 million loan to help cover the costs for sports fields and other improvements at the Wiregrass Sports Campus, in Wesley Chapel.

Pasco Commission Chairman Jack Mariano voted against the loan — after unsuccessfully seeking to persuade his colleagues to delay the issue while exploring other ways to repay the loan.

Under the proposal brought to the board, the loan will be repaid with Tourist Development Tax dollars.

A look from a lofty angle at the Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus, in Wesley Chapel. It plays a key role in Pasco County’s sports tourism marketing efforts. The Pasco County Commission has approved seeking a $12 million loan to add sports fields to the campus, something that’s long overdue according to the county’s contract with the Porters, who donated the land for the sports campus. (File)

Mariano advocated taking a closer look at potential sources of money to repay the loan.

“I think we can do this better. I think we have other sources. We’ve got Penny for Pasco money.

“The road infrastructure, we can look at transportation impact fees,” Mariano said.

The county might also be able to use park impact fee money, he said.

He said he didn’t think the board had the detail it needed and sought to delay the vote until more information was obtained.

His words did not sway his colleagues.

Adam Thomas, director of tourism for Florida’s Sports Coast, told the county board: “We do have a contractual obligation to the family that donated the land.”

He also noted that the sports campus, which is in Wiregrass Ranch, is the centerpiece of the county’s sports tourism efforts.

Commissioners Seth Weightman, Kathryn Starkey and Ron Oakley spoke against Mariano’s request for a delay.

“We’re, what, three years behind schedule on this,” Weightman said. “I want to become compliant in the contract.”

Starkey added: “I am in full support of this project. I think we have an obligation to finish it. It pains me that it’s such a big hit on our tourism folks, but I think we need to finish our obligation.”

County Administrator Mike Carballa told the county board, “Like any loan, there’s nothing that would preclude us from early payment, repayment. We need the authorization to go get the money, so we can actually start the project.”

Commissioner Ron Oakley expressed his support.

“I’m for moving forward with this project. We’ve been waiting too long, 2 ½ years past due of having these fields built. We need to go forward and make sure we do the right thing.”

The planned improvements include:

  • Five multipurpose sports fields, with lighting (plus lighting at two existing fields)
  • Parking for the area
  • A concession stand with restrooms
  • Three pavilions
  • A multi-use trail
  • A parking area for the pavilions, concession stand and trail
  • A roadway loop to take teams to the multipurpose fields
  • Stormwater ponds
  • Additional landscaping
The field house attracts a wide array of events; it also is used by area youth and adults when it’s not scheduled for tourism-related activities. Pasco County has approved a loan to help cover costs for adding multipurpose sports fields, a multi-use trail, parking, restrooms and a concession building and other improvements.

Thomas, who leads Pasco’s tourism efforts, cautioned against using funds from various sources because that could reduce the availability of the multi-purpose fields at the sports campus for tourism-related events.

Thomas also broke down the costs for the expansion, which total approximately $14.9 million and will be covered by the $12 million loan and other county funding sources, according to Carballa.

Here’s how those costs break down:

  • Exterior improvements, including fill, curbs, fencing, parking, roads: $6.6 million
  • Building (three pavilions, one multipurpose restroom/concession): $1.7 million
  • Fields (turf surface, under-draining, root zoning): $4.6 million
  • Electrical (lighting, street lighting): $1.3 million
  • Landscaping and irrigation: $450,000
  • Contingency: $250,000

Published August 30, 2023

Motorists have a new way to get around in Wesley Chapel

By

There’s a new way to get from State Road 56 to State Road 54, in Wesley Chapel.

The extension of Wiregrass Ranch Boulevard, between the two state highways, opened on Aug. 12.

The completed project is expected to improve traffic heading north and south through Wesley Chapel, and to provide an alternative to Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, another route for north and south travel.

(Mike Camunas)

Prior to the extension, Wiregrass Ranch Boulevard was only partially open, ending at Chancey Road that came off Bruce. B Downs, and ended near the gated communities of Estancia and Esplanade.

Work is underway to extend Chancey Road to the east, where it ultimately will create a new intersection at Meadow Pointe Boulevard, just north of State Road 56 headed east.

The new Wiregrass Extension, heading south, eventually turns into Mansfield Boulevard at State Road 56, with Mansfield passing by the Pasco-Hernando State College Porter Campus, Wiregrass Ranch High School and Dr. John Long Middle School.

The road, heading north, ends at State Road 54, bringing drivers to the Wesley Chapel Super Walmart, as well as the several car dealerships by the nearby Saddlebrook Resort. 

The extension between State Road 56 and State Road 54, with its 45 mph speed limit, has been landscaped with greenery. It also has streetlights to enhance safety at night, sidewalks for pedestrians and dedicated bicycle lanes.

Additionally, starting Aug. 20, Mansfield Boulevard began its pavement rehabilitation project, with crews resurfacing the roadway and adding new markers from Oakwood Preserve Drive to just south of Ganga Way.

The project is expected to take a few weeks to complete, while work hours will be Sunday through Thursday from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Published August 23, 2023

Pinecrest Academy Wesley Chapel High charter approved

By

The Pasco County School Board has approved a charter application for Pinecrest Academy Wesley Chapel High School, at 33347 State Road 54, in Wesley Chapel.

The approval is for a five-year period, which began July 1 and runs through June 30, 2028.

The approval includes a provision that the term shall be automatically extended on a month-to-month basis until the charter has been renewed, non-renewed, or terminated by the sponsor, according to background materials in the Pasco County School Board’s July 25 agenda packet.

The school is authorized to serve students in grades nine through 12. 

The following is the student enrollment capacity by year: 

  1. Year 1 (2023-2024): Grade nine up to a maximum of 200 students 
  2. Year 2 (2024-2025): Grades nine to 10 up to a maximum of 550 students 
  3. Year 3 (2025-2026): Grades nine to 11 up to a maximum of 900 students 
  4. Year 4 (2026-2027): Grades nine to 12 up to a maximum of 1,250 students 
  5. Year 5 (2027-2028): Grades nine to 12 up to a maximum of 1,400 students

The charter approval allows the school to recruit throughout all segments of the community, using direct mailings, public advertisement, information in the local and community press, and informational meetings at various locations and in English or other languages, as appropriate.

If the number of applications exceeds the capacity of the program, class, grade level, or building, all applicants shall have an equal chance of being admitted through a random selection process. 

Students at the school also are eligible to participate in an interscholastic extracurricular activity at the public school to which the student would be otherwise assigned, the background materials say.

Published August 16, 2023

Pasco board signals approval for Seven Oaks zoning change

By

The Pasco County Commission has indicated that it will approve a zoning change that will allow professional business offices on a site within the Seven Oaks community, as part of a mediated settlement agreement between Pasco County and SB Associates Limited Partnership.

The site is in the Seven Oaks community, on the north side of State Road 56, west of Bruce B. Downs Boulevard.

The Pasco County Commission has indicated it will OK a mediated settlement between the county and SB Associates Limited Partnership, involving a rezoning dispute. The site is expected to be used for business and professional offices. (File)

After the mediated settlement, Seven Oaks residents asked if SB Associates Limited Partnership would agree to limit the uses to those allowed in a Business Professional Office 1 (BPO 1) category, rather than the proposed BPO 2 category.

Jon Tomsu, a resident of Seven Oaks who sits on the community’s CDD board, also asked the applicant to abide by the BPO 1 lot coverage standards, which allows a maximum of 35% lot coverage.

Barbara Wilhite, an attorney representing the applicant, told the Pasco County Commission during its July 11 public hearing on the issue that her client is willing to accept BPO 1 uses, but wants to preserve the BPO 2 lot coverage allowance of up to 50%.

David Goldstein, chief assistant county attorney, told county board members that he read the emails that came in on the issue and did not recall any raising an issue about lot coverage.

He said the emails focused on types of uses allowed.

Chelsea Waller, an attorney representing the Seven Oaks CDD, asked the county board to delay the request to give her an opportunity to confer with her clients.

But Wilhite objected to a delay and commissioners did not grant Waller’s request.

Wilhite also asked the board to close the public comment portion of the hearing and to continue the issue, so she and the county’s legal staff can amend the paperwork to bring back a request for BPO 1 uses, instead of BPO 2.

Commissioners agreed to delay the issue to allow time to change the paperwork before a final vote occurs.

Published August 02, 2023

Pasco school board approves Pepin’s charter school application

By

The Pasco County School Board has approved the charter school application for Pepin Academies Wesley Chapel, to be located at the campus of Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation.

The charter school, which will serve third- through 12th-graders, is scheduled to open in the 2024-2025 school year.

The application clearly states that the school will enroll students with learning or learning-related disabilities and a current Individual Education Plan. The school is focusing on students with learning disabilities in Wesley Chapel, St. Leo, San Antonio, Dade City and Zephyrhills.

The application for the school was submitted by Jeffrey Skowronek on March 10, 2023. The school board approved the application at its July 18 meeting.

The campus will be on land that was acquired for the school through a partnership and memorandum of understanding between Pepin and Pasco County Schools, according to materials in the school board’s agenda packet.

The school will be opened in phases, with maximum enrollments increasing over a period of five years, as follows:

  • Year 1 (2024-2025): 85 students in grades three through six
  • Year 2 (2025-2026): 155 students in grades three through eight
  • Year 3 (2026-2027): 225 students in grades three through 10
  • Year 4 (2027-2028): 255 students in grades three through 11
  • Year 5 (2028-2029): 285 students in grades three through 12

The mission of Pepin Academies Wesley Chapel at Kirkland Ranch is to “empower students with learning disabilities to maximize their potential in a positive therapeutic educational  environment,” the board’s agenda packet said.

In Pepin’s charter application, an evaluation determined that 16 of 22 sections of the application “meet the standard,” and six of the sections “partially meet the standard.” None of the sections were rated as “did not meet the standard,” the budget materials reported.

The application review noted, in part, that Pepin “clearly explains a therapeutic model and classroom environments that cater to the specific needs of their unique student population.”

Also, the “applicant has a clear understanding of the value of making data-driven decisions when setting educational goals,” the evaluation said.

Although a contingent of Pepin representatives attended the board meeting, none of them spoke.

Ray Gadd, deputy superintendent of Pasco County Schools, remarked that the partnership is a unique arrangement among public schools in Florida.

Published July 26, 2023

Wesley Chapel’s ‘crown jewel’ to get major overhaul

By

Miami-based Mast Capital, the owner of Saddlebrook Resort, has received a stamp of approval from the Pasco County Commission to pursue an ambitious redevelopment plan of the property, off State Road 54, slightly over a mile east of Interstate 75.

During its glory days, Saddlebrook — often referred to as Wesley Chapel’s crown jewel — enjoyed an international reputation for excellence, and attracted luminaries from the worlds of professional golf and tennis to compete and train there.

Mast purchased the resort from its original owner Tom Dempsey, and after months of negotiations and compromises, received permission to pursue its plans to revitalize the resort.

In broad strokes, the redevelopment plan is divided into four areas.

Area 1 and Area 2 are outside of the original gated community.

  • Area 1 includes 75,000 square feet of commercial retail/office, 465 multifamily units and 25 townhomes.
  • Area 2 includes 25,000 square feet of commercial retail/office and 120 townhomes.

 Area 3 and Area 4 are within the existing resort community.

  • Area 3 includes tennis courts, parking, the renovation of the clubhouse and resort area.
  • Area 4 calls for replacing two 18-hole Arnold Palmer courses with three nine-hole courses; and, the relocation of the driving range, which currently fronts State Road 54.

The developer also has committed to improvements aimed at handling the project’s traffic. It has agreed to build a road across a portion of its property that will link into Wiregrass Ranch Boulevard.

Saddlebrook Resort, credited with putting Wesley Chapel on the map, is gearing up for a massive makeover. (File)

It also will add turn lanes at Saddlebrook’s main entrance and make a connection to Vandine Road.

A new gated access point for Saddlebrook residents and a multi-use path to provide Saddlebrook residents access to areas beyond the community’s gate also will be added.

Mast also has signed a deed restriction that guarantees that the golf course land will never be used for commercial or residential development.

A big part of the plan involves the overhaul of the resort itself. 

Mast Capital will renovate the resort facilities, while both Mast and third-party condo hotel owners will upgrade the individual hotel rooms.

Mast will manage the hotel room renovations and third-party investors will have an opportunity to opt in. Mast and third-party investors will pay the same renovation cost per unit.

Initially, Mast’s plans faced a wall of resistance from Saddlebrook owners and residents.

But over time — after dozens of meetings — that opposition decreased.

Still, areas of disagreement did not entirely go away.

Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley said it’s in the best interest of both Mast Capital and the owners of property within Saddlebrook Resort that the redevelopment effort is a success.

During the county board’s July 10 public hearings, Jane Graham, an attorney representing the Save Saddlebrook Coalition, cited continuing concerns about the conversion of 36 holes of golf to 27 holes.

She expressed appreciation for Mast’s decision to convert some of its planned townhomes into green space, but said concerns continue regarding the amount of pavement required for apartment parking.

Larry Barbetta, a founder of the Save Saddlebrook Coalition, called for greater sensitivity to the existing community to ensure compatibility and he again asked for a reduction, or shift, in density to help achieve that.

He also expressed appreciation for the quest to revitalize Saddlebrook.

“We’re all saddened by its current state. We all support Mast’s efforts to bring that back to what it should be. We want to help accelerate that,” Barbetta said.

Patrick Hogan, an advocate for retaining the two 18-hole Arnold Palmer golf courses, presented a plan that could keep those golf courses, while maintaining the driving range’s current location and making room for other improvements.

His idea, however, gained no traction.

Keith Swope, a resident of Saddlebrook since the 1980s, lamented the inevitable change he believes the redevelopment will bring to his daily life.

 “It is a peaceful, quiet, lifestyle,” Swope said. “It looks like that’s going to be changed. It’s not going to be for the better.”

Hope Kennedy, president and CEO of the North Tampa Bay Chamber, however, advocated on behalf of Mast’s redevelopment plans.

“This is the type of project that communities around this country are dying for. They would be thrilled to have this kind of investment coming into their community,” Kennedy said, noting she represented the chamber board and the business organization’s 610 members.

“Saddlebrook literally put Wesley Chapel on the national and international map, and they have been a contributing force in tourism and commerce.

Pasco County Commissioner Seth Weightman said the county board has made it ‘loud and clear’ that it has high expectations of Mast Capital, the company that will be redeveloping the Saddlebrook Resort. (Courtesy of Andy Taylor/Pasco County)

“As with any asset, it must be nurtured and constantly improved upon.

“For us to continue to prosper as a region, we must evolve. We, the chamber, applaud Mast Capital for their vision to improve the crown jewel of Wesley Chapel.

“They have gone above and beyond to ensure the legacy of Saddlebrook continues. We thank them for investing in our community,” Kennedy said.

County Commissioner Ron Oakley said it’s in the best interest of both Mast and Saddlebrook property owners for the redevelopment to succeed.

“You’re going to find a very well-built Saddlebrook, that’s a modern age Saddlebrook — that’s different from the one that was in the ‘80s, and you’re going to see that thrive, in this new economy that we have now,” Oakley predicted.

He expects Mast to address traffic issues and to be expeditious in its redevelopment efforts.

“If they don’t take care of traffic and they can’t get people in and out of there, guess what, they’re not going to rent anything in there. It’s not going to happen,” he said.

Oakley added: “They can’t just lollygag around. They’ve got to go forward and get this thing done. If those units aren’t starting to be renovated in the hotel area, they’re not going to rent them because nobody is going to stay in there because they’re outdated.”

Commissioner Kathryn Starkey said she agrees with the sentiments expressed by chamber executive Kennedy. Like the chamber leader, Starkey said she appreciates Mast’s willingness to invest in Saddlebrook.

Commissioner Seth Weightman told Mast: “We’re putting our name behind you, right?”

“We all have high expectations. You’ve heard us loud and clear.

“Don’t let us down.

“Don’t let the folks that live there down,” Weightman said.

Published July 19, 2023