After waiting a decade, residents in northeast rural Pasco County are finally embarking on a quest to create development standards for their quiet neck of the woods.
During a Jan. 27 Pasco County Commission meeting, county staff told commissioners that they plan to begin holding stakeholder meetings on the issue in February.
The county’s work plan cites a goal of adopting Northeast Pasco Rural Development Standards in December.
Two residents in the affected area, near Dade City, praised commissioners for getting the ball rolling on the effort.
“This is a banner day for us,” said Nancy Hazelwood.
“Please take into consideration that you have a group that’s been interested in this for 10 years,” she told commissioners.
She also made this request: “Please keep the meetings in the Dade City area.”
Richard Riley offered his gratitude for the inclusion of the issue in the county development department’s work plan.
“It appears our prayers have been answered,” Riley said.
He also urged commissioners to ensure that any voting members in the stakeholder process have a personal stake in the area, not outside influences.
“The Northeast Rural area should be represented by people with a real passion for that area,” Riley said.
Anyone should be allowed to offer input and make presentations to the stakeholder group, but not have a vote on the committee, Riley said.
Published February 4, 2015
