Pasco County Planning Commission members recently agreed to continue until Aug. 8 a decision on a proposed ordinance addressing invasive species vegetation.
The proposed ordinance was presented to the Planning Commission during its July 11 meeting with a recommendation that they approve sending it to the Pasco County Board of County Commissioners (BCC). The BCC has final authority on adopting the proposed ordinance, as the Planning Commission only acts in an advisory capacity regarding such matters.
The intent of the proposed ordinance is to amend different parts of Pasco County’s Land Development Code (LDC) to establish an Invasive Species Management Program. Information regarding the proposed amendments is based upon input from the County’s Public Works, Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation, Development Review Division, Building Construction Services and the Zoning Department.
A few members of the Planning Commission expressed concerns about different portions of the proposed ordinance.
“We already have a law on the books to prohibit the establishment of invasive species,” longtime Planning Commission member Jon Moody said. He was referring to a part of Section 905 of the county’s LDC that already addresses mitigating invasive species of vegetation.
“How do we enforce it?” Moody asked regarding the existing regulation. He also asked who was going to enforce regulations in the proposed ordinance if it is adopted.
“There’s no guidelines on how to actually pursue enforcement of what the LDC says about prohibiting the establishment of invasive plant species,” responded Keith L. Wiley, director of the County’s Parks, Recreation, & Natural Resources department.
Wiley also said it hadn’t yet been determined how enforcement would occur if the proposed ordinance is adopted.
Planning Commission member Jamie Girardi said he was concerned that the management plan with all of its reporting requirements would place a tremendous burden on the development community, Homeowners Associations, Community Development Districts and county staff.
Planning Commission Chairman Charles Grey agreed, saying “To me, this is just overkill.”
Chief Assistant County Attorney David Goldstein made some suggestions on changes that could be made to existing portions of the LDC regarding invasive species.
Moody moved that the decision on the proposed ordinance be continued for 30 days. When he made the motion, Moody said he would like for there to be adequate time for the LDC to be revised per the Planning Commission’s discussion and brought back so members would have something they could all find consensus on.
Grey seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.
In other business on July 11, Planning Commission members:
- Recommended the BCC approve a zoning amendment requested by S A Development Partners LLC for a change in zoning from a C-2 General Commercial District and C-3 Commercial/Light Manufacturing District to a C-3 Commercial/Light Manufacturing District for approximately 5.557 acres of property located in central Pasco County. The property is adjacent to the Funded County Road 52 Trail (AKA State Road 52 Trail), approximately one-half mile west of Mirada Boulevard.
There is currently a warehouse on the property, and the applicant proposes to develop the property with a hotel and a sit-down restaurant.
- Recommended the BCC approve a zoning amendment requested by Dave Mitchells Holding Company/Mitchell Clinton Rezoning for a change in zoning from an R-1MH Single-Family/Mobile Home District and C-2 General Commercial District to a C-2 General Commercial District for approximately 2.18 acres of property located in east central Pasco County. The property is on the northeast corner of Circle B Road and Clinton Avenue.
Plans have been approved for a 15,200-square–foot commercial warehouse to be built on the property. It also has an approved Commercial Building Permit for a 15,200-square–foot commercial building shell for future tenants.
The applicant wants the whole parcel to be in the same zoning district.
- Recommended the BCC approve a Development Agreement with Depue East MPUD (Master Planned Unit Development) – Pulte Home Company, LLC. to design, permit and construct improvements to Watergrass Parkway and Wells Road in exchange for Transportation Development Fee (TDF) credits. The site is located south of Wells Road on approximately 931 acres within Villages L and M in the Villages of Pasadena Hills (VOPH).
On May 9, 2023, the Pasco County BCC approved the Depue East MPUD in the VOPH to allow 2,300 residential dwelling units and 20,000 square feet of commercial uses on approximately 931 acres.
Numerous specific requirements to qualify for the VOPH TDC credits are outlined in the lengthy agreement that the BCC will consider approving at a future meeting.
