Wesley Chapel/New Tampa News

Pasco board honors Porter family’s approach to growth

October 25, 2022 By B.C. Manion

If you’ve ever made a purchase at The Shops at Wiregrass, taken a class at Pasco-Hernando State College’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch, or attended an event at the Wiregrass Sports Complex of Pasco County — you’ve benefited from the way the Porter family chose to manage the development of its land holdings.

Acreage once owned by the Porters is now occupied by a multitude of developments — which make up the building blocks of community life.

The family purchased the land in the 1940s, which would become Wiregrass Ranch — a cattle and citrus operation in Wesley Chapel.

Don Porter was known for his visionary and patient approach to growth. The Porter family has played a key role in laying the groundwork for the building blocks of a community that provides places to learn, to heal, to work and to play. (Courtesy of Porter family)

The family pursued and obtained permission for a Development of Regional Impact, and, over time, it sold portions of its land for projects such as Saddlebrook Resort, The Shops at Wiregrass, AdventHealth Wesley Chapel, medical offices, apartments, subdivisions and other developments.

It also donated land for Pasco-Hernando State College and the Wiregrass Sports Complex of Pasco County.

The family was honored by the Pasco County Commission on Sept. 20 for its contributions toward improving the quality of life in Pasco County.

In previous interviews with The Laker/Lutz News, J.D. Porter explained the family’s philosophy of growth.

He said the family has been selective about the types of projects it brings into Wiregrass Ranch — making sure the user is a good fit and using care to ensure the pace of development allows ongoing projects to become successful before introducing new ones.

The idea, he added, is to have a mix of large and small users, to avoid relying too much on large users, in case they go away.

The family also has cultivated a mix of uses, such as boutique restaurants, shops, and locally owned businesses — as well as the kind of development needed to address basic needs, such as health care and education.

“We could’ve easily sold out to a bunch of different developers, but none of them represented the legacy that my dad and my grandfather really embraced,” Porter previously told The Laker/Lutz News.

The family has shared a collective vision and a collective will for what has been done so far, and for the foundation that has been laid for the future, he added.

One of the family’s contributions to the community was the donation of 60-plus acres for Pasco-Hernando State College’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch.

When the Porter campus opened in January 2014, it represented the first opportunity for Wesley Chapel students to attend college in their own community.

In its resolution of appreciation, the Pasco county board recounted some of the family’s history in Wesley Chapel.

James H. and Martha M. Porter established Wiregrass Ranch in the 1940s, raising their sons, Don, Tom and Bill there, the resolution says.

The name Wiregrass Ranch stems from a postcard sent in 1950 by Ed Madill, one of James Porter’s friends. Madill addressed it to “Wiregrass Porter, Gatorville, Florida, USA” and it reached its intended recipient, the resolution adds.

The resolution also notes Bill Porter, the president of Wiregrass Ranch, and the next generation of Porters — including J.D, Quinn, Colby, Haley, Hatcher, Alexis, Rachel, Lynda and Debbie — is continuing the family’s tradition of commitment to the county.

Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore, who sponsored the resolution, said the board wanted to acknowledge the Porter’s contributions, not only to Pasco, but also to the region and state.

The Porter family has played a role in shaping the development of Wesley Chapel. They were honored with a resolution of appreciation by the Pasco County Commission on Sept. 20. (Courtesy of Pasco County/Andy Taylor)

Moore characterized the family as being philanthropists, innovators, community-minded and trailblazers.

Moore expressed gratitude for the Porters’ approach.

“They could have sold this land off years and years and years ago. They could have had more money than God, because of this.

“But they’ve been very methodical, in the way they’ve done things, because they wanted to do things right. They want to continue to do things right.”

“They really have this sense of community,” Moore said.

Commissioner Jack Mariano added: “Your family’s commitment from the get-go was always to do this first class. You took your time, you made sure you had it right, you waited for the right people to come in. And the way that you did it methodically, every step of the way, has been fantastic.

“Pasco is so much better off, because of the Porter family,” Mariano said.

J.D. Porter, who spoke on behalf of the family, told the board he appreciated the kind words.

“We still have a long, long path to go,” he said. “We’ve got a long runway that we’re working with, but on behalf of my entire family, thank you guys for making it an environment that we can succeed in, and for continuing to grow.”

“Working with you all and working with staff has become a lot easier and we look forward to a lot more great years, and we’ve got plenty of good stuff to come.”

Published October 26, 2022

Pasco County approves apartment project in Seven Oaks

October 18, 2022 By B.C. Manion

The Pasco County Commission approved a modification to the master plan for the Seven Oaks community, allowing a project for 320 apartment units and 25,000 square feet of commercial space.

The project is planned for a 10.6-acre site, off Ancient Oaks Boulevard, about 225 feet north of State Road 56. The development site is across from Sam’s Club.

The board’s approval is a reversal of its 3-2 rejection of the request on Jan. 9.

Board members Mike Moore, Jack Mariano and Ron Oakley voted in January to deny the request, while Chairwoman Kathryn Starkey and Christina Fitzpatrick dissented.

Seven Oaks community in Wesley Chapel soon will be adding 320 apartment units and 25,000 square feet of commercial space after the Pasco County Commission approved the 10.6-acre project off Ancient Oaks Boulevard, about 225 feet north of State Road 56. (Mike Camunas)

That decision was challenged and went to mediation.

Through the mediation proceeding, the application was updated to increase the minimum retail/office commercial entitlement from 20,000 square feet to 25,000 square feet.

The revised application also includes a new site plan, building size and vertical parking.

Other changes include pedestrian safety and traffic-calming features.

The applicant also agreed to work in good faith with Sam’s Club to extend walkway safety improvements onto the retail store’s property, if Sam’s Club will allow that work to be done.

The county board’s approval of the revised master plan resolves the dispute between the county and the applicant over the board’s previous denial. The applicant also has agreed to defend and indemnify the county from any third-party claims arising from the board’s approval.

The board voted 3-2 on Oct. 11 to approve the request.

Oakley said he was satisfied that changes to the plan addressed his concerns, and joined Starkey and Fitzpatrick in supporting the request.

The vote came after extensive debate among board members and strenuous objections by Seven Oaks residents and the Seven Oaks Community Development District’s attorney.

Moore and Mariano said the county must preserve job-generating uses to provide jobs for Pasco residents so they don’t need to commute elsewhere for work.

But Starkey, Fitzpatrick and Oakley said additional housing is needed to meet the county’s increasing demands, particularly as it looks to the future and jobs that are on the way.

Applicant Keith Gelder, of Stock Luxury Apartment Living, wants Seven Oaks to be the location for his first Pasco project.

During testimony at a previous hearing, Gelder told the county board that his company does “high-quality, large amenity, lifestyle-driven projects.”

Plans for the Seven Oaks project include a resort-style pool, multi-story buildings with commercial uses on the first floor, a dog park and other amenities.

Several speakers testified against the request at the Oct. 11 meeting, offering a litany of reasons for why the proposed project is not a good fit at the planned location.

They said they don’t oppose apartments, just the proposed location of this project.

They noted plenty of land is available that’s already zoned for apartment development, even within the Seven Oaks community.

Instead of changing the commercial designation on this site, they said the board should encourage the development of professional buildings that could serve the area’s demand for office space needed by small businesses.

Critics also noted the area already is congested and the planned project will make that worse.

They predict the neighborhood will experience more cut-through traffic, which will reduce the community’s desirability and diminish property values.

Patrick Mullen, one of those opponents, listed a multitude of objections.

In addition to various legal and technical objections, Mullen offered some basic reasons for opposing the proposal.

“This project is still too big for this property,” Mullen said.

“Development is a privilege, not a right,” he added.

And, “Denial should remain undisturbed,” Mullen said.

Opponents also told the board the reasons they rejected the proposal in January remain valid.

Attorney Joel Tew said his client’s proposed project represents the “poster child” for the type of urban infill mixed-use development encouraged by county’s policies.

He reminded board members the request “is not a rezoning for new density or new entitlements.”

The Seven Oaks master plan already includes entitlements for 1,726 multifamily units, so the request doesn’t increase the overall density, Tew said. The approval of the Seven Oaks master plan also took those traffic impacts into account.

Tew characterized the proposed modification as essentially being a map change, within an approved master plan. He also said the requested change is being made under the approved land use equivalency matrix, which requires the impacts to be on a 1:1 basis.

Despite the board’s approval, the issue might be far from over.

After the vote was taken, Moore asked David Goldstein, the chief assistant county attorney, whether the decision could be appealed.

Goldstein said it could be appealed by a third party, and typically an appeal must be filed within 30 days.

The chance of an appeal being resolved in less than a year is slim, the attorney said.

Published October 19, 2022

Big changes are being proposed in Saddlebrook, in Wesley Chapel

October 11, 2022 By B.C. Manion

A proposed large-scale comprehensive plan amendment has been requested for Saddlebrook Resort, a place that helped put Wesley Chapel on the map.

The request calls for amending the county’s future land-use map on about 420.5 acres of land, south of State Road 54 and east of Service Road.

The property has an existing master-planned unit development (MPUD) — Saddlebrook Resort — which has existing entitlements, development and infrastructure.

But a substantial modification has been requested to add acreage to the existing MPUD and to convert one existing golf course and the driving range into commercial/retail, multifamily, single family, dorm rooms, clubhouse and restaurant uses, according to information contained in the Pasco County Planning Commission’s Sept. 22 agenda packet.

Saddlebrook Resort, located in Wesley Chapel, is a hotel, spa, tennis and golf complex that opened in 1981 and is home to Saddlebrook Tennis Academy, Saddlebrook Golf Academy, Saddlebrook Preparatory School and two 18-hole, Arnold-Palmer designed golf courses. (Mike Camunas)

The Saddlebrook Resort currently contains a number of different uses including commercial/office, multi-family, single-family, recreational and hotel/convention center uses. The proposed use calls for converting the area which is the golf driving range into the town center for Saddlebrook, the background materials say.

But at the planning board’s Sept. 22 meeting, the request being considered was whether the proposed change to the land-use should be recommended for approval.

The request still must go through public hearings before the Pasco County Commission to change the long-range plan and to change the zoning to clear the way for the proposed plans.

The request had been on the planning board’s consent agenda — meaning it would be approved in a single action with other items, unless it was pulled.

Planning board member Jon Moody pulled the item for discussion.

He said he did that a matter of principal, reminding board members that he had previously expressed a concern about too many items being placed on the consent agenda, and noting it is not the role of the planning board to rubberstamp requests.

“The consent agenda is for the duplexes, Mrs. Jones’ variance for her shed, but not a large-scale comprehensive plan amendment,” Moody said.

“The second reason that I pulled this and want to discuss this has to do with public notice.

“Saddlebrook Golf Course — the proposal here is that we’re going to change the golf course to single-family homes, townhouses, multifamily dorms for a golf academy — and all of these things may be good things, and I’m not necessarily opposed to them.

“But I know this, if I bought a house in Saddlebrook on a golf course and paid $750,000 or a million dollars for that, my expectation is that’s a golf course.

“And, maybe I don’t have the right to have that expectation, but at least if someone is going to change it, they need to let me know what’s going on, so I can come out and exercise my right as a citizen, to speak for or against the proposal.

“So, that’s the issue and the reason that I brought it up,” Moody said.

Attorney Barbara Wilhite, representing the applicant, told the planning board: “Although the code only requires an ad, we did post three signs.”

She also noted: “My client has had communications with all five homeowner associations within Saddlebrook and made presentations to them.

Saddlebrook Golf Club, in Wesley Chapel (File)

“This is a pre-transmittal hearing. This is the only time that you’ll hear the comp plan amendment, but what you do is you recommend to the board.

“Then the board will have a transmittal hearing, where they send it to the state. We have an MPUD (master-planned unit development zoning request) pending, so it will be coming,” she said.

Under the MPUD requirement, letters must be sent to everyone.

Wilhite told the planning board that its vote on the request before it would merely get the process started.

The MPUD request will spell out the specifics, and when it comes back to the planning board it will be fully noticed, she said.

Moody reiterated the need to discuss projects, such as the Saddlebrook request.

“My concern is, when we put comprehensive plan amendments on the consent agenda, or we don’t hear the accompanying MPUD consecutively, we’re laying the groundwork for a legal argument in the future, if we want to deny the zoning, if they argue ‘Well, wait a minute, my MPUD is consistent with the comp plan amendment that you passed a month ago or two months ago.

“My particular concern in Saddlebrook is that a great number of the property owners, adjacent to the golf course, to which this comp plan amendment applies, live out of state, many of them live out of country, so they didn’t see the sign posted,” Moody added.

Moody said the county should require that written notices be sent to property owners whose rights could be affected by proposed land-use and zoning changes.

Denise Hernandez, the county’s zoning administrator, told Moody a proposed change to the county’s land development code will require that notices of proposed changes be mailed, posted and published.

She expects that proposal to be back before the planning board in coming months.

No one from the public spoke for or against the proposed Saddlebrook changes.

Published October 12, 2022

School board members share joy over Kirkland opening

October 11, 2022 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

During board member comments at the Oct. 4 Pasco County School Board meeting, Allen Altman expressed his appreciation for the dedication ceremony held last month at Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation.

School board member Allen Altman said this photo of Kirkland Academy of Innovation, at 9100 Curley Road, in Wesley Chapel, perfectly captures the nature of the special celebration to dedicate the new high school. The school is designed to prepare students in an array of current and emerging technical and career fields. (Courtesy of Pasco County Schools)

The new high school, at 9100 Curley Road, in Wesley Chapel, has an emphasis on preparing students for a wide range of technical careers, in both current and emerging fields.

Altman, who is retiring from the board, has persistently pushed to increase opportunities for students living on the east side of Pasco County, which for years lagged in programming options behind other parts of the county.

Altman asked that a photo taken during the evening be shared with those attending or viewing the board’s meeting.

He praised Andy Dunn, a multimedia specialist for the district, for the excellent quality of the photograph.

“I thought this was an artist’s rendering when I first saw it, but it is an actual photograph,” said Altman, referring to a photo showing the school set against a stunning sky.

The school board member said the photo aptly recorded the special nature of the celebration.

“It was a tremendous night. The weather could not have been any more spectacular. Great turnout. Room was full.

“Everything was wonderful.

“We had some business partners that were there, that were in the tours, that have already reached out to us about participating and partnering in some other programs.

“So, it was well-received and very well done.

“So many students that were there that we heard just tremendous stories from, and what their intentions are and how motivated they are,” Altman said. “I’m really, really, really excited about this.”

School board member Allison Crumbley, who attended the dedication ceremony as well, said that Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation “is such a beacon for the future for so many students.

“The school is beautiful.

“It’s truly a gem in our school district,” said Crumbley, adding that like Altman, she’s excited about what this school will do to support students’ futures.

Published October 12, 2022

Here’s a new way to (re)cycle

October 4, 2022 By Mike Camunas

Ananth Kutuva is a tinkerer.

He also is a collector.

But the 16-year-old student in the International Baccalaureate program at Land O’ Lakes High School never thought he’d collect so many bikes, so fast.

“I just wanted to get 100 (donated) bikes,” Kutuva said. “All I did was post it on Facebook and NextDoor, and a lot of people contacted us with bikes. So, yeah, it was just crazy how many were ready to donate their bikes.

“Like I said, I just wanted to get to 100 (bikes), but now, I think maybe 250 because at the pace we’re going, I think that’s easily reachable (laughs).”

Teenager Ananth Kutuva works on a bike at WellBuilt Bikes in Tampa, volunteering his time because he genuinely just likes tinkering with bikes. Not only has he helped rebuild bikes, but Kutuva has reached out to the local communities to collect used and unwanted bikes to donate for refurbishment and parts. (Mike Camunas)

Kutuva began collecting used and unwanted bikes from neighbors and others in his surrounding communities, starting in his neighborhood, Seven Oaks in Wesley Chapel.

But then, people from near and far got in touch with him.

Soon, the lanai patio at his house was full of bikes — 60 to be exact on Aug. 20, not even a full month into his bike drive.

As Kutuva collects bikes — he is approaching 100 — he gives them to WellBuilt Bikes, a Tampa nonprofit bike shop that sells refurbished bikes at affordable prices and invests the sales revenue into its Earn-A-Bike program, which allows people with little to no money to access or own a bike.

The program works like this: Put in the volunteer hours at the shop, either helping out or fixing up bikes, and it goes to getting a fully refurbished bike.

This is how Kutuva became familiar with the shop and its program — he wanted a place to work on bikes. He has been volunteering at WellBuilt since he was a freshman, but has never taken a bike.

He just wanted to fix them up.

His interest in bicycles dates back to seventh grade.

“I got him a mountain bike,” his father, Ramesh Vasudevan, said. “He assembled it himself.

“But he said he needed to do more than just biking,” the boy’s father said. “He wanted to take it to the next level and thought how could he use his bike repair skills.”

His dad explains that when Kutuva made repairs at WellBuilt, he noticed how happy the people were who were getting bikes.

“He was just like, ‘Wow, there are so many bikes around us and in the area. Why can’t I get those for other people? How do I get those to (WellBuilt) so people who want, or need, can have them?’” his dad added.

“That kind of ambition, I encouraged it immediately.”

Through volunteering at WellBuilt, Kutuva wanted to learn more about bikes in general. Everything else he had already learned came from YouTube videos, and trial and error.

Ananth Kutuva is a 16-year-old student in the International Baccalaureate Program at Land O’ Lakes High. He has volunteered his time and efforts to collect used and unwanted bikes to donate to WellBuilt Bikes. He then repairs them so they can be purchased or earned at the nonprofit bike shop in Tampa.

Now, Kutuva has restored and fixed up about 10 bikes, which have been sold or earned at WellBuilt, and the whole process takes a few visits to finish.

“The hardest part is just getting the tools because it can take a lot of specialized tools made specially for that bike,” Kutuva said. “I am logging volunteer hours, but I really just wanted to learn more about bikes when I first came to WellBuilt.”

Once the bikes were stockpiled on the lanai, WellBuilt Bikes CEO Jon Dengler would bring over a trailer to load them up and then take them to storage. The initial collection of 60 took two trips for Dengler.

He was blown away by the teenager’s efforts.

“If someone takes the time and initiative to look, especially in the suburbs, there are probably two bikes laying around that just need a little work or are perfect for donating,” Dengler said. “Ananth just put in the work and went out and gathered them by tapping these different networks.

“No matter what, when someone puts that many bikes together, we’re on our way, but when it’s just a teenager in high school, that’s amazing.”

For now, Kutuva will continue his bike drive.

There’s also the matter of getting to WellBuilt to tinker around.

“Well,” the teenager said with a smile, “I’m pretty busy at school, so I’m always looking to find time.

“But I will try hard to find the time. Because I really want to fix up more bikes,” he said.

Bicycle Drive
Ananth Kutuva collects bikes in any condition and then donates them to Wellbuilt Bikes, a nonprofit bike shop that sells refurbished bikes at affordable prices. Wellbuilt is in the University Mall, 12256 University Mall Court, in Tampa. If you would like to donate a bike, but are unable to transport it to the shop directly or need more information about the drive, contact Ananth Kutuva at or 813-701-7870.

For information or to volunteer at WellBuilt Bikes, visit BikeShopTampa.com.

Published October 05, 2022

Rezoning request prompts concerns about flooding

September 27, 2022 By B.C. Manion

A request for a new master-planned development in Wesley Chapel has prompted questions about drainage issues in the general area.

Applicant Sandhill Flats LLC is seeking approval for Remington, a master-planned unit development on the south side of Tyndall Road, about 3,950 feet west of Curley Road. The request is seeking a maximum of 127 single-family detached units on approximately 44.2 acres.

County planners recommended approval of the request, which also received a recommendation of approval from the Pasco County Planning Commission.

The request now goes to the Pasco County Commission for a final decision.

Only one person spoke during the public comment portion of the public hearing on Sept. 22.

Michael Pultorak, who lives on Kenton Road, said he doesn’t oppose growth, in general.

“I don’t have an issue with houses; I don’t have issue with development; putting houses on lakes is a little bit of an issue, but I’m not going to go there,” Pultorak said.

The request is in the area of King Lake.

“It’s a beautiful lake. Pasco has two King Lakes. This is the one in Wesley Chapel, out toward Dade City,” Pultorak said.

He raised issues about potential flooding in the area, which he said could be triggered by new development, unless steps are taken to address drainage issues.

He raised the same issue during a previous appearance at a planning board meeting, involving another rezoning request in the general area.

Regarding that project, Pultorak said, “I tried to shed light that 106,000 square feet of commercial and 527 homes was going to shed about 1.7 million square feet of water during the storm season.

“We got with SWFMD (the Southwest Florida Water Management District). The north outflow and the south outflow apparently is just fine. They have no issues with it.

“That leaves us one outflow for the entire lake.

He showed the planning board photographs of flooded roads and flooded fields to illustrate his concerns.

“This is right on Kenton Road. This is one of four places where we had water over the roads and washing out the road from this single lake because the stormwater issue hasn’t been resolved,” he said, referring to a photo.

“There’s no place for the water to go.

“This was a river. It took four-wheel drive vehicles to get through here. Every place I’m showing you brought in truckloads of limestone because the water has to go somewhere.

“This is Kenton Road, right in front of the prior project we spoke about.

“This was a river for about 10 days straight.

“This water could be redirected and reused. It could be sent right back. We could use it for irrigation. The problem is, right now there is no stormwater management plan and that water is not being diverted anywhere.

“I have 8 acres behind my home and the actual Kenton Road, proper. Two-thirds of that has been holding water underwater for the past three weeks.

“That’s not fair. I have cows out there. I have a herd of black Angus out there. The water level is 6 ½ feet too high.

“It sounds like in most of the county the development is causing stormwater issues. Let’s not become like South Tampa here.”

Planning board member Jon Moody asked Pultorak if he objected to the Remington rezoning.

Pultorak responded: “I object to this project only because it’s going to add to the stormwater issue. If we could create a solution for the stormwater, put houses all of the way around it. I’m not opposed to the houses, but you can’t flood out the existing residents because we’re going to continue all the way around this lake.”

Attorney Clarke Hobby told the planning board “the subject site that we have is on the north side of King Lake. He’s talking about the west side of King Lake and he’s probably focusing on an area that’s between .75 and a mile and a half away from our site.

“We actually discharge to the west.

“This is 120 units on 40 acres. We do not even abut the lake,” Hobby said.

Ultimately, the planning board recommended approval of the request, but also called for there to be communication between the applicant and Pultorak during the stage when drainage plans are drawn up at the development stage.

Published September 28, 2022

A cause that is good for the ‘sole’

September 12, 2022 By Mary Rathman

Scores of shoes were collected during the 2021 Two Good Soles campaign, a collaborative effort between Pasco County government and the school district, now in its seventh year. (FILE)

The Pasco County Tax Collector’s Office once again is participating in the new shoes and socks collection drive, Two Good Soles, to assist local students and families in need.

The campaign, now in its seventh year, is a collaborative effort between the Pasco County government and the school district.

The goal of the drive is to collect as many new pairs of shoes and socks as possible.

“It is heartbreaking to know that children come to school without socks or shoes in good repair,” said Pasco Tax Collector Mike Fasano in a news release.

“I am pleased that our office is once again part of this county-wide effort to collect as many pairs of footwear as possible. …Every item will go to a Pasco student in need,” said Fasano.

The need for shoes is primarily at the middle school and high school level, although shoes for elementary students also will be accepted.

The sizes most in need are children’s shoes size 9 and bigger, adult shoes of all sizes, and socks of any size. It is recommended that sneakers, shoes and socks be of a neutral color. However, no flip-flops or open-toed shoes, please.

Donations will be accepted through Oct. 21, the final day of the drive, at the labeled collection box near the door, at these sites:

New Port Richey, 8731 Citizens Drive, Room 120
Gulf Harbors, 4720 U.S. 19, New Port Richey
Land O’ Lakes, 4111 Land O’ Lakes Blvd. (U.S. 41)
Wesley Chapel, 4614 Pet Lane, Suite 109 (Lutz)
Dade City, 14236 Sixth St., Room 100

For information about the Two Good Soles drive, call Greg Giordano, assistant tax collector for communications and special projects, at 727-847-8179.

Published September 14, 2022

Family gets warm reception, and a mortgage-free home

August 30, 2022 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

National homebuilder PulteGroup’s Built to Honor program, in partnership with the national nonprofit Building Homes for Heroes, turned over the keys to a new, mortgage-free home last week to 22-year-old Nazeraeh Montrond and her three younger siblings at a ribbon-cutting ceremony, according to a news release.

The celebration was held on the morning of Aug. 25, in the Centex community of Wesley Reserve at Chapel Crossings, 5369 Elmview Crossing in Wesley Chapel.

Sean Strickler, PulteGroup division president for West Florida, helps Kevyn and Nazeraeh Montrond and their younger siblings, Arabella and Bentley, cut the ribbon outside their brand new townhome in Wesley Chapel. The family lost father Army Sgt. Alberto Montrond in February 2006 when an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) detonated near his Humvee while he was serving in Afghanistan. (Courtesy of Building Homes for Heroes)

Nazeraeh Montrond lost her father, Army Sgt. Alberto Montrond, in February 2006, when an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) detonated near his Humvee. He was serving in Afghanistan with the Group Service Support Company in the new Group Support Battalion (GSSC, GSB) for the 7th Special Forces Group, the release says.

Sgt. Montrond deployed at least four times in support of the Global War on Terror, supporting Special Operations forces in Iraq, Jordan and Afghanistan.

The children’s mother, Christl, passed away in March 2021, after suffering with several health issues, leaving Nazeraeh to care for her three younger siblings. Kevin is 18, Arabella is 15 and Bentley is 10.

Today, she manages the demands of a full-time job and a full-time college schedule, while raising her two brothers and sister. Nazeraeh currently is completing her bachelor’s degree in health sciences, according to the release.

The date of the ribbon-cutting holds a special place for the family, since it’s their mother Christl’s birthday.

The Montrond family’s new 1,762-square-foot, two-story townhome features 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths and a one-car garage. Located in the master-planned community of Chapel Crossings, residents will soon enjoy several state-of-the-art amenities including a community pool with lazy river, clubhouse and fitness center.

“The story of Nazeraeh and her siblings has touched all of us,” said Sean Strickler, president of the West Florida Division of PulteGroup, in the release. “Everyone involved in this project knows what having this new home means for the family. We’re so proud to be involved, and we hope Naz, her brothers and sister make many new memories in their new home.”

Founded by Andy Pujol, after he volunteered in the search-and-rescue in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Building Homes for Heroes is a national nonprofit organization that builds and modifies homes and gifts them, mortgage-free, to veterans and their families. The organization averages one home gifted or modified every 11 days. In September, the organization will reach its milestone 300th home.

This is the fifth Built to Honor home delivered in Tampa Bay since 2016. Earlier this year, PulteGroup celebrated awarding its 75th mortgage-free home through the program in Dallas, Texas, according to the release.

Published August 31, 2022

Traffic signals installed on Overpass Road

August 23, 2022 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

New traffic signals have been installed on Overpass Road at the Boyette Road and Old Pasco Road intersections, according to a news release.

Motorists should be prepared to stop in all directions.

They also should be alert to workers, as construction continues to open turn lanes, adjust signal timings, and many other work activities along Overpass Road and at these two intersections.

Also, Overpass Road was switched to new traffic alignments, as of Aug. 13, from Old Pasco Road to just east of Boyette Road.

Eastbound and westbound Overpass Road traffic is now on a divided roadway, with one lane open in each direction.

Additional lanes in each direction will open later this year. Motorists are advised to be alert to these changed conditions and watch for workers as construction continues to complete the project.

Also, ramps to and from the new interchange at Interstate 75 are not open. The interchange is projected to open to traffic in November or December of this year.

Published August 24, 2022

Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation opens

August 16, 2022 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation had its first opening day of school, ever, ushering in a host of programs aimed to prepare students for myriad technical and professional careers.

Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation, the newest school in Pasco County Schools, welcomed its inaugural crop of 570 freshmen and sophomores on the first day of school, Aug. 10. The school’s official address is 32555 Innovation Way. It’s where Curley Road meets Innovation Way, in Wesley Chapel. (Fred Bellet)

Some of those work opportunities already exist.

Others are expected to emerge in the future.

In either case, this high school will provide a broad array of opportunities for students, offering technical training, as well as opportunities for advanced placement, dual enrollment and general classroom work.

The school, at 32555 Innovation Drive, is located at the intersection where Curley Road meets Innovation Way, in Wesley Chapel.

The magnet school represents the first technical school of its type on the eastern side of the county.

Housed in a building that has a modernistic architectural design, the school’s programs include: applied cybersecurity and computer science, automotive maintenance and light repair; diesel maintenance; biomedical sciences; building trades and construction technology; digital media and multimedia; applied engineering, robotics; welding technology; patient care technician; and, electricity.

The school opened with 570 freshmen and sophomores, but will add additional grades to create a school for ninth- through 12th-graders.

Students will be able to earn standard diplomas and industry certifications, as well as take Advanced Placement and dual-enrollment courses.

The school doesn’t have sports teams, but students will be able to play for the schools in which they are zoned.

The school will have clubs, with specifics determined by school and staff.

Published August 17, 2022