Developers plan to build a new subdivision on land formerly owned by Lester Dairy Farm, off U.S. 41 in Land O’ Lakes. The vacant land is the last significant undeveloped parcel along a corridor filled with new residential communities including Asbel Creek and Lakeshore Ranch.
To the north, Florida Citrus Investors owns more than 300 acres slated for townhouses. Across the highway the “new town” of Connerton is under development on about 8,000 acres of a former cattle ranch.
On June 24, Pasco County’s Development Review Committee gave unanimous approval to the residential community proposed by NVR Inc., the owner and developer of the dairy farm property. The Pasco County Commission must still give its approval.
Plans are to build nearly 490 single-family homes on about 300 acres, located on the west side of U.S. 41 and about a mile south of State Road 52.
Developers will be responsible for building the first two lanes of the Bulloch Road extension, which would bisect the site and connect with the portion of Bulloch within Asbel Creek.
They also would build a portion of a proposed east/west “vision” road, with access off U.S. 41. The roadwork within the subdivision is part of Pasco County’s long-range transportation efforts to increase neighborhood connectivity, and relieve traffic volume on heavily traveled highways such as U.S. 41.
Chris Williams, planning director for the District School Board of Pasco County, took the opportunity to push for more cooperation between planners with the county and school district on another “vision” plan for school construction.
He also serves on the county’s development review committee, and supported NVR’s project.
Connerton and other large developments often set aside acreage for future schools. But, Williams said smaller projects, such as Lakeshore Ranch, Asbel Creek, Tierra del Sol and the latest from NVR, rarely have the space.
“There already are 500 elementary school kids who live in these developments,” Williams said.
The school district has purchased land in the area for a future elementary school. However, Williams said planners with the county and the school district need to work jointly on school needs, not only with large development projects, but smaller ones as well.
“There is an accumulative effect,” he said. “We’re seeing this happen, and we need to set a school vision plan.”
Published July 1, 2015
