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The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Lutz since 1964 and Pasco since 1981.
Proud to be independently owned.

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Ballantrae Boulevard

Offices planned on State Road 54, near Ballantrae

November 20, 2019 By B.C. Manion

Plans are in the works for an office development on 12.8 acres on the north side of State Road 54, about three-tenths of a mile from Ballantrae Boulevard.

The Pasco County Commission has sent a request, from Colwell Avenue Properties IV, of Lutz,  for a proposed land use change to state agencies for review.

The land use change must occur first, before a request for a rezoning on the property can be considered by commissioners. The Pasco County Planning Commission and the county’s planning staff recommended approval of the change.

The current zoning on the property, at 17905 State Road 54, is a residential category that allows up to three dwelling units per acre.

The applicant plans to build two 60,000-square-foot Class A office buildings, which each will be three stories tall. The maximum building height would be 65 feet, according to documents included in the agenda item.

The proposed project also would include 548 parking spaces, including 16 handicapped spaces and 139 compact spaces.

A county agenda memo, prepared by Amy E. Hyler, planner II, said “the proposed office development will be located along State Road 54, an arterial roadway, and will serve as an effective transitional use.”

The agenda memo, recommending approval, also notes that the property “is located within the South Market Area and Urban Service Area and supports the vision and mission of the South Market Area as this area is characterized by dense, vertical nonresidential development, promoting higher-density, compact development that encourages a mixed-use community.

“The proposed development abuts the residents and commercial uses in the Ballantrae master-planned unit development,” the recommendation for approval adds.

The county planning staff also notes that the new offices will generate jobs, which helps to accomplish the intention of Pasco County’s Urban Service Area by creating a live, work, play environment to attract high quality development.

Pasco County is encouraging the development of this office project through economic incentives.

At its Oct. 22 meeting, the Pasco County Commission approved a plan that will provide development incentives totaling $2,935,000, according to a county agenda memo.

The county will provide a low-interest forgivable loan of $1.5 million through its PADS and PORS program, which will be secured by a mortgage on the property. The interest rate of the loan is proposed to be set at 1.6% per year, with a 10-year term. The loan balance reduction is based on achieving certificates of completion for the building shells and/or securing tenants for long-term leases. The release of the loan funding is conditioned on the company obtaining necessary comprehensive plan and zoning amendments, the memo says.

The ad valorem tax rebate is capped at $1,435,000 based on the current property millage rate and assessed valuation data obtained through the county’s tax appraiser’s office. That will be paid out over a 10-year period, which will begin when the first building shell receives a certificate of completion, the memo adds.

The county has estimated that the project will either directly or indirectly create 400 jobs, with an estimated annual payroll of $17.7 million. The project’s total economic benefit to the Gross County Product will average $26.5, according to county estimates.

The agenda memo also notes: “The company’s initial economic incentive request was for $4,965,000, but this amount was significantly reduced after extensive negotiations with county staff.”

Published November 20, 2019

Filed Under: Land O' Lakes News, Local News Tagged With: Amy Hyler, Ballantrae Boulevard, Colwell Avenue Properties, Land O' Lakes, Pasco County Commission, Pasco County Planning Commission, State Road 54

Bexley borrow pit gains approval

September 5, 2018 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

The Pasco County Commission has approved a request for a borrow pit to provide fill dirt for use at Bexley by Newland Communities, a master-planned community, off State Road 54 in Land O’ Lakes.

The development sought approval to operate the borrow to provide up to 1 million cubic yards of sand and dirt to be excavated and hauled over a period of four years.

The borrow pit will be reclaimed after the dirt hauling is completed.

The infill dirt will be used for internal uses at Bexley, but some of will need to be trucked across Tower Road, which is used by the public.

The borrow pit site is south of Tower Road, west of Sunlake Boulevard, and about half-mile east of Ballantrae Boulevard.

The borrow pit’s operating hours will be from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. It will not operate on Sundays or holidays.

The Pasco County Planning Commission recommended approval of the request, and the County Commission approved it on its consent agenda, meaning there was no discussion of the item, at its Aug. 21 meeting.

Approval also is required from the Southwest Florida Water Management District, also known as Swiftmud.

Published September 5, 2018

Filed Under: Land O' Lakes News, Local News Tagged With: Ballantrae Boulevard, Bexley, Land O' Lakes, Newland Communities, Pasco County Commission, Pasco County Planning Commission, Southwest Florida Water Management District, State Road 54, Sunlake Boulevard, Swiftmud, Tower Road

Bexley seeks permit for on-site borrow pit

August 22, 2018 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Bexley by Newland Communities won approval from the Pasco County Planning Commission to operate a borrow pit at the master-planned community, off State Road 54, in Land O’ Lakes.

Approval also is required from the Southwest Florida Water Management District, also known as Swiftmud, and the matter also needs approval from the Pasco County Commission.

If approved, the conditional use permit from Pasco would allow up to 1 million cubic yards of sand and dirt to be excavated and hauled away over four years.

The borrow pit would be reclaimed afterward.

This rendering shows the master-planned community of Bexley by Newland Communities, at State Road 54, east of Suncoast Parkway. (File)

The infill dirt is for internal uses at Bexley. However, some portion of the dirt would cross over Tower Road, a road used by the public.

The borrow pit site is south of Tower Road, west of Sunlake Boulevard, and about half-mile east of Ballantrae Boulevard.

“The fill dirt is being removed and will be used for development of the office portion of the project,” said attorney Andrea Zelman.

Though some trucks will cross over Tower Road, all of the dirt will be used as part of the Bexley development, Zelman said.

The borrow pit’s operating hours will be from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. It will not operate on Sundays or holidays.

Once work begins, signs will be posted to alert motorists of trucks accessing Tower Road.

Bexley is a master-planned community with about 1,700 acres located on the north side of State Road 54, east of the Suncoast Parkway, and on north and south sides of Tower Road.

The community is approved for up to 1,200 single family residences and 520 multifamily dwellings, as well as about 94,500 square feet of commercial and retail, and about 563,000 square feet of offices.

By Kathy Steele

Published August 22, 2018

Filed Under: Land O' Lakes News, Local News Tagged With: Andrea Zelman, Ballantrae Boulevard, Bexley by Newland Communities, Land O' Lakes, Pasco County Commission Tower Road, Pasco County Planning Commission, Southwest Florida Water Management District, State Road 54, Suncoast Parkway, Sunlake Boulevard, Swiftmud

Ballantrae Village is adding more shops

January 10, 2018 By Kathy Steele

Taco Bell is the newest tenant at the Shoppes of Ballantrae Village.

The Mexican fast-food restaurant joins DQ Grill & Chill and Circle K in a retail shopping plaza that is almost fully constructed, off State Road 54 in Land O’ Lakes.

Within 30 days, Dunkin’ Donuts is expected to open in a spot between Taco Bell and DQ Grill & Chill.

Taco Bell is open for business at the Shoppes of Ballantrae Village. The fast-food restaurant joins Circle K and DQ Grill & Chill. (Kathy Steele)

In March, more shops, a spa, a dental office and a Japanese restaurant will open, said David McComas, chief executive officer of European Equities Corporation. His firm is handling tenant negotiations for the plaza.

The list of tenants includes Domino’s Pizza, T-Mobile and Hungry Greek.

Dentist Lisa Brooks also will occupy one suite, and Casablanca Spa will be in another.

“It will be nice. It will create some balance,” McComas said. “I think it will have a lot of curb appeal. Everything is coming out tastefully.”

The current list of shops and restaurants aren’t all that will open.

Three additional parcels are currently under negotiations, McComas said. And, another outparcel on the opposite side of Aprile Drive, across from Taco Bell, likely will have a day care center, he said.

One access point into the plaza is at Aprile Drive, a new road that intersects with State Road 54, by the Taco Bell on the eastern boundary. Entry also onto Aprile Drive and the plaza can be made at the entrance into Ballantrae subdivision, farther west at Ballantrae Boulevard, by Circle K.

The area is bustling with new development, spurred in part by about 50,000 vehicles that drive along the state road daily. And, new residential is bringing more customers to the area.

The Ballantrae community is built on about 436 acres, has six villages and about 970 homes.

To the south of Ballantrae, Long Lake Ranch homes are under construction. Northward, Bexley Ranch and Asturia are adding new subdivisions, with single family homes and apartments.

And, Mystic Pointe is a new apartment complex under construction at Meadowbrook Drive.

Published January 10, 2018

Filed Under: Land O' Lakes News, Local News Tagged With: Aprile Drive, Asturia, Ballantrae Boulevard, Bexley Ranch, Circle K, David McComas, Domino's Pizza, DQ Grill & Chill, Dunkin’ Donuts, European Equities Corporation, Hungry Greek, Lisa Brooks, Long Lake Ranch, Meadowbrook Drive, Mystic Pointe, Shoppes of Ballantrae Village, State Road 54, T-Mobile, Taco Bell

Bexley wins national design award

November 1, 2017 By Kathy Steele

Bexley by Newland Communities is now a triple award winner for 2017.

The master-planned community, located off State Road 54 in Land O’ Lakes, won a 2017 Best in American Living Award (BALA) from the National Association of Home Builders, according to a news release from The Leytham Group.

Aerial view of the master-planned community of Bexley. (Courtesy of Bexley by Newland Communities)

Bexley was named Best Community in the category of Single Family Communities with 100 units or more.

The Best in American Living Awards recognizes outstanding achievement by builders and design professionals in the regional housing industry.

In making award decisions, BALA considers categories, such as, single-family production, custom, multifamily, affordable, remodeling, community and interiors.

Bexley will be honored at the BALA Awards ceremony at the International Builders Show in Orlando in January 2018.

Previously, Bexley earned two Grand Aurora Awards as the Best Master-Planned Community and Best Recreational Facility in the Southeast at the Southeast Building Conference earlier this year.

Bexley is a joint venture partnership between North America Sekisui House LLC, and Newland Real Estate Group LLC.

North America Sekisui House is the United States business unit and full subsidiary of Sekisui House LTD., Japan’s largest homebuilder.

Newland Communities is the development division for Newland Real Estate Group, and the master developer of Bexley.

Bexley Elementary School, at 4380 Ballantrae Blvd., which opened in August is the largest public elementary school ever built in Pasco County. School district officials recently had a dedication ceremony at the school.

Bexley by Newland Communities offers residents Avid multi-modal trails, 11 outdoor fitness stations, custom playgrounds and a BMX bicycle pump track. There is an event lawn for community gatherings, including a seasonal live music concert series to benefit Feeding Tampa Bay.

The Bexley Club is a gathering place in the community. And, residents and the public can dine at the Twisted Sprocket Café for breakfast, sandwiches and salads, beer and wine.

For information, visit BexleyFlorida.com, or call (813) 425-7555.

Published November 1, 2017

Filed Under: Land O' Lakes News, Local News Tagged With: Ballantrae Boulevard, Bexley, Bexley Elementary School, Feeding Tampa Bay, Land O' Lakes, National Association of Home Builders, Newland Communities, Newland Real Estate Group LLC, North America Sekisui House LLC, State Road 54, The Bexley Club, The Leytham Group, Twisted Sprocket Cafe

Changes afoot, as school bells ring in a new year

August 9, 2017 By B.C. Manion

School bells are summoning students back to classes in Hillsborough and Pasco counties — and some students will be attending classes on entirely new campuses.

Sunlake Academy of Math and Science, a new public charter school in Hillsborough County, begins its inaugural school year on Aug. 10. It is located at 18681 N. Dale Mabry Highway in Lutz.

Sunlake Academy of Math and Science, at 18681 N. Dale Mabry Highway, is opening this year as a new public charter school in Hillsborough County. The school, located in Lutz, will serve elementary and middle school students. (B.C. Manion)

Meanwhile, Pasco County is opening Bexley Elementary, at 4380 Ballantrae Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes, and Cypress Creek Middle High School, in Wesley Chapel.

Students arriving at Land O’ Lakes High School will find reconfigured spaces, to accommodate a $29 million makeover.

At Sunlake High School and Rushe Middle School, there will be a new traffic pattern for student drop-off and pickups, and at Wiregrass Ranch High, the school will be back to operating on a seven-period day.

Those are just a few of the changes in store for the new school year, which begins in Hillsborough County on Aug. 10 and in Pasco County on Aug. 14.

Some changes, which are state mandates, affect public school students in both counties.

Other changes affect students at a particular school or within a specific county.

For instance, the Pasco school district is revising its crisis plans to give students and staff a better chance to survive an active threat on campus.

Meanwhile, Principal Vicki Wolin will lead the new Bexley Elementary School, in the Bexley subdivision off State Road 54, in Land O’ Lakes. That school was built to ease crowding at Oakstead and Odessa elementary schools.

Bexley is also part of the school district’s feeder pattern for the Aviation Academy at Sunlake High School.

As such, Bexley will have drones, flight simulators and robotics. Its STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) lab is situated in its media center, which it calls its REC Center, which stands for Research, Engage and Collaborate.

Cypress Creek Middle High School, at 8701 Old Pasco Road in Wesley Chapel, will serve students previously assigned to Wiregrass Ranch, Wesley Chapel and Sunlake high schools and John Long, Weightman and Rushe middle schools.

Principal Carin Hetzler-Nettles, previously principal at Wesley Chapel High, will recognize many of the students streaming onto the campus for their first day.

But, there will be many unfamiliar faces, too.

The school has been hosting events ahead of opening day to help students get acquainted with the school and to find out what it has to offer.

Cypress Creek Middle High will serve sixth- through 11th-graders its initial year and will add a senior class its second year.

The new high school’s curriculum runs the gamut from ballet to digital design to American Sign Language. It offers several certification programs, including Microsoft Office, QuickBooks and Autodesk Inventor.

Cypress Creek’s middle school curriculum includes Criminal Justice and Engineering academies, plus core classes.

The new schools aren’t the only places where Pasco County students will have a chance for new experiences.

The district also is expanding its Cambridge Programme to San Antonio Elementary School.

And, Zephyrhills High School is adding a new academy of Building Construction Technology and Public Safety Telecommunications 911 certification for the Academy of Criminal Justice.

A new public charter school also has opened in Pasco County, too, bringing the district’s total number of charter schools to 11. The new charter is called Pasco MYcroSchool and is located in New Port Richey.

Besides new schools and programs, Pasco County also has shifted some principals since last school year and promoted an assistant principal to the top post.

Those changes are:

  • Principal Scott Atkins has moved from Sand Pine Elementary School to West Zephyrhills Elementary School.
  • Christine Twardosz has transferred from Centennial Elementary School to Sand Pine.
  • Gretchen Rudolph Fladd has moved from Veterans to Centennial.
  • Melissa Bidgood, who was an assistant principal at Watergrass Elementary, has been promoted to the principal’s post at Veterans.

Parents wanting to know more about the upcoming school year should check out their school’s website.

School websites can provide a wealth of information. They generally list important upcoming dates for school activities, such as cheerleader tryouts, booster club meetings, school spirit nights and parent-teacher events.

The websites also often let parents know how they can get involved at school and how they can help their children at home.

Most schools also have Facebook pages and Twitter accounts, and some post videos to YouTube, too.

Websites maintained by the Hillsborough and Pasco school districts can also provide useful information, too.

Free breakfasts
Pasco County Schools will serve free breakfasts to all students at these sites in The Laker/Lutz News coverage area during the 2017-2018 school year:

Elementary schools

  • Centennial Elementary
  • Chester Taylor Elementary
  • Lacoochee Elementary
  • Pasco Elementary
  • Quail Hollow Elementary
  • Rodney B. Cox Elementary
  • West Zephyrhills Elementary
  • Woodland Elementary

Middle schools:

  • Centennial Middle
  • Pasco Middle
  • Stewart Middle

High schools:

  • Pasco High
  • Zephyrhills High

 

Meal prices for Pasco County Schools
Reduced-price meals

Reduced-price breakfast: .30
Reduced-price lunch: .40
Full-price meals
Full-price breakfast
Elementary: $1.35
Secondary: $1.50
Charter, K-8: $1.50
Charter, high school: $1.60
Full-price lunch
Elementary: $2.50
Middle: $3
High: $3.25

Published August 9, 2017

Filed Under: Education, Local News Tagged With: Aviation Academy, Ballantrae Boulevard, Bexley Elementary, Carin Hetzler-Nettles, Centennial Elementary School, Christine Twardosz, Cypress Creek Middle High School, Gretchen Rudolph-Fladd, John Long MIddle School, Land O' Lakes, Land O' Lakes High School, Lutz, Melissa Bidgood, New Port Richey, North Dale Mabry Highway, Oakstead Elementary School, Odessa Elementary School, Old Pasco Road, Pasco MYcroSchool, Rushe Middle School, San Antonio Elementary School, Sand Pine Elementary School, Scott Adkins, State Road 54, Sunlake Academy of Math and Science, Sunlake High School, Veterans Elementary School, Vicki Wolin, Watergrass Elementary School, Weightman Middle School, Wesley Chapel, Wesley Chapel High School, West Zephyrhills Elementary School, Wiregrass Ranch High School, Zephyrhills High School

Collaboration is key word at Bexley Elementary

July 5, 2017 By B.C. Manion

When visitors step into the REC center at Bexley Elementary School, they won’t be surrounded by game tables or basketball hoops.

Instead, they’ll be in the new elementary school’s media center.

The REC center gets its name from three words — Research, Enrich and Collaborate. Those words emphasize the kind of learning experience planned for children attending the school, which is set to open in August, at 4380 Ballantrae Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes.

This worker is clearing off debris on the sidewalk of an interior courtyard at Bexley Elementary School. (B.C. Manion)

Bexley Principal Vicki Wolin described the school’s features and aspirations during a recent tour of the campus for Pasco County School Board members, district leaders and other guests.

When the tour-takers finished that visit, most of them drove across county to visit Cypress Creek Middle High School to get a sneak preview of that campus led by Principal Carin Hetzler-Nettles.

Bexley — which will relieve overcrowding at Odessa and Oakstead elementary schools — is the largest elementary school that Pasco County Schools has ever built, said John Petrashek, director of construction services for the district.

Its design was a result of collaboration between architect Harvard Jolly, four elementary principals and David Scanga, assistant superintendent for elementary schools, Petrashek said.

That team told the district, “this is what we need to make this a very functioning, high-performing elementary school,” the construction services director said.

“We listened. We designed … They didn’t get everything they wanted, but just about,” he said.

The resulting elementary school is rich “for teaching, learning and for achievement,” Petrashek said.

The district aims to be as frugal as possible when building new schools, but doesn’t cut corners when it comes to the quality of construction and design, Petrashek said.

“This building is built to last. You can pay for a building and good design now, or you can cheapen this design and pay forever out of operational costs for maintenance and repair,” he said. “This building has a 50-year life expectancy.”

Petrashek praised Newland Communities, the developer of the Bexley subdivision, for being “tremendous partners.”

Newland ensured that the site was large enough to meet the district’s needs and also made sure that needed infrastructure was available, Petrashek said.

Pasco County Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning is enthusiastic about the new school.

“We expect great things to come out of Bexley Elementary School,” Browning said. “It’s a beautiful place. It’s obviously very functional, and it will lend itself to a great learning environment for kids.”

Wolin noted the emphasis was on collaboration, efficiency of space and flexibility.

“We wanted something that was timeless, so it would be efficient in the future,” she said.

For instance, there are stools that can break apart into smaller seats, and also be adjusted so that they rock.

“We want to offer our students seating areas that best meet their needs for learning, instead of: “Sit down and sit still,’” Wolin said.

The building also is designed with spaces that can shrink or expand, allowing grade-level teams to work together and enabling teachers to tailor instruction to meet the varying needs of students.

The technology also offers flexibility.

For instance, the same piece of equipment can be used to show a video or to be an interactive tool, depending on what a teacher needs for a particular lesson, Wolin said.

Even the school’s large front office is designed with families in mind, the principal said, noting it is more spacious than the typical front office at an elementary school. The idea is to give families more room as they wait to take care of school business.

At Cypress Creek Middle High School, at 8701 Old Pasco Road in Wesley Chapel, Hetzler-Nettles led the group around the campus, which initially will serve students in grades six through 11.

Much of the furniture and equipment has yet to be installed, but, like Bexley, the school will have different types of seating and spaces that can be reconfigured for different uses.

Stops on the tour included a science classroom, the school gymnasium, the cafeteria, the weight room, locker rooms, a band room, a conference room, various other classrooms and a look at the athletic fields.

For parents and students who want to see for themselves, Cypress Creek Middle High will be holding two events, designed for students in different age groups. For details, visit the school’s website at CCMHS.pasco.k12.fl.us.

Bexley is planning an open house, too. For more information about Bexley, visit BES.pasco.k12.f.us.

Published July 5, 2017

Filed Under: Education, Land O' Lakes News, Local News Tagged With: Ballantrae Boulevard, Bexley Elementary School, Carin Hetzler-Nettles, Cypress Creek Middle High School, David Scanga, Harvard Jolly, John Petrashek, Kurt Browning, Land O' Lakes, Newland Communities, Oakstead Elementary School, Odessa Elementary School, Old Pasco Road, Pasco County School Board, Vicki Wolin, Wesley Chapel

New opportunities await at Cypress Creek Middle High

July 5, 2017 By B.C. Manion

Much of the furniture and equipment has yet to be installed at Cypress Creek Middle High School, but even without it, it’s easy to see that the school is designed to offer students a multitude of opportunities when it opens in August.

Cypress Creek Middle High Principal Carin Hetzler-Nettles leads a tour of Pasco County School Board members, Superintendent Kurt Browning and other invited guests for a sneak preview of Cypress Creek Middle High School. (B.C. Manion)

Principal Carin Hetzler-Nettles and members of her administrative team recently led Pasco County School Board members and Superintendent Kurt Browning on a tour around the campus at 8701 Old Pasco Road in Wesley Chapel.

Stops on the tour included a science classroom, the school gymnasium, the cafeteria, the weight room, locker rooms, a band room, a conference room, a variety of other classrooms and a look at the athletic fields.

The tour was similar to a walk-around that school board members and other guests took at Bexley Elementary, at 4380 Ballantrae Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes, earlier in the afternoon. Bexley, built to relieve crowding at Oakstead and Odessa elementary schools, also is set to open in August.

Both schools have different types of seating and spaces that can be reconfigured to suit the needs of teachers and students. And, both are designed to foster collaboration among teachers and among students.

Cypress Creek Middle High will serve students in grades six through 11 its initial year and will add a senior class the following year.

During the tour of that campus, Hetzler-Nettles stopped in a classroom that was flanked by classrooms on either side.

“This is an area where we could put three teachers together, they could collaborate. You could open the doors to that classroom and could open up the wall (a sliding wall),” she said.

At the same time, the principal said she’s aware that parents have raised concerns about having middle school and high school students on the same campus.

To help relieve those concerns, the principal said, “they have separate locker rooms, and they will not be crossing paths (to get to the locker rooms).”

Cypress Creek Middle High also will offer high school academies in business management, criminal justice and engineering, and middle school academics in criminal justice and engineering.

Check out this water fountain at Cypress Creek Middle High. You can get a sip of water now and fill up your water bottle for later.

It also will have separate band programs for middle and high school students.

But, it will not have an agricultural program, at least initially, Hetzler-Nettles said.

Some of the features that stood out during the recent tour included water fountains that are designed to fill water bottles, similar to the fountains in some airports. Bathrooms without exterior doors, similar to those seen at airports and other public buildings.

The shower stalls in the boys’ locker room are individual stalls and are outfitted with curtains. There’s also a stall that’s designed to be accessible for a student with a disability.

And, there’s also a chiller farm near the athletic field — attesting to the big job it will be to keep the school cool.

During their visit to Bexley Elementary, board members and guests had a chance to walk around the largest elementary school that Pasco County Schools has ever built, according to John Petrashek, director of construction services for the district.

Its design was a result of collaboration between architect Harvard Jolly, four elementary principals and David Scanga, assistant superintendent for elementary schools, Petrashek said.

The elementary school was built to last, Petrashek said, noting it has an expected lifespan of 50 years.

Want to know more?
Cypress Creek Middle High is inviting students and parents in for a sneak peek before classes begin. For details, visit the school’s website at CCMHS.pasco.k12.fl.us.
For more information about Bexley Elementary School, visit BES.pasco.k12.fl.us.

Published July 5, 2017

Filed Under: Education, Local News, Wesley Chapel/New Tampa News Tagged With: Ballantrae Boulevard, Bexley Elementary, Carin Hetzler-Nettles, Cypress Creek Middle High School, David Scanga, Harvard Jolly, John Petrashek, Kurt Browning, Land O' Lakes, Oakstead Elementary School, Odessa Elementary School, Old Pasco Road, Pasco County School Board, Wesley Chapel

School construction needs outpace funding

June 28, 2017 By B.C. Manion

The Pasco County School Board has begun exploring the idea of asking voters to support a half-penny sales tax to help pay for school construction.

During a June 20 workshop on the district’s capital needs, School Board member Cynthia Armstrong asked staff to come back with a projection of how much the half-penny tax would generate in 10 years and a list detailing the types of projects the tax revenues would support.

Pasco County Schools would like to see more scenes like this around the district. The Pasco County School Board has asked district staff to research how much money a half-cent sales tax could generate and possible projects the revenues could support.
(File)

Her request came during a board workshop immediately after the Pasco County Commission’s first public hearing on a proposal to boost school impact fees.

The County Commission appears to be leaning toward an increase, but it’s not clear how much that increase will be, or when it will take effect.

Even if the full amount of the proposed impact fees is approved, the district construction needs far outstrip its expected revenues, said Deputy Superintendent Ray Gadd. It is unlikely the money the district needs will be provided by the state Legislature, Gadd said.

The district has identified these projects to be partially supported by the proposed impact fees:

  • Cypress Creek Middle School
  • Starkey Ranch, kindergarten through eighth grade
  • A new high school
  • A new elementary school in the Wesley Chapel area
  • A new elementary school in State Road 54 corridor area

Those projects are based on current growth patterns, Gadd said.

Meanwhile, the newly built Cypress Creek Middle High School, off Old Pasco Road, is scheduled to open this fall. Initially, it will serve students in grades six through 11, but it will add grade 12 during the second year. Its boundaries affected Rushe, John Long and Weightman middle schools, and Sunlake, Wesley Chapel and Wiregrass high schools.

Bexley Elementary School, 4380 Ballantrae Blvd. in the Bexley subdivision off State Road 54, also is set to open in the fall. It is intended to reduce crowding at Oakstead and Odessa elementary schools.

The district also is proceeding on massive remodeling projects at Land O’ Lakes High School in Land O’ Lakes and Woodland Elementary School in Zephyrhills.

Armstrong also urged supporters of the proposed school impact fee increase to show up to make their views known at the Pasco County Commission’s second public hearing on school impact fees. That meeting is set for July 11 at 1:30 p.m., at the historic Pasco County Courthouse in Dade City.

Published June 28, 2017

Filed Under: Education, Local News Tagged With: Ballantrae Boulevard, Bexley Elementary School, Cynthia Armstrong, Cypress Creek Middle High School, John Long MIddle School, Land O' Lakes, Land O' Lakes High School, Oakstead Elementary School, Odessa Elementary School, Old Pasco Road, Pasco County Commission, Pasco County Courthouse, Pasco County School Board, Ray Gadd, Rushe Middle School, Starkey Ranch, State Road 54, Sunlake High School, Weightman Middle School, Wesley Chapel, Wesley Chapel High School, Wiregrass Ranch High School, Woodland Elementary School, Zephyrhills

DQ Grill & Chill comes to Ballantrae Village Shoppes

March 1, 2017 By Kathy Steele

DQ Grill & Chill is nearly ready for its debut at Ballantrae Village Shoppes. By mid-March, franchise owner Carlos Saenz plans to host a grand opening.

Meanwhile, Saenz has had to watch hopeful customers slowly steer their vehicles into the drive-through lane on a daily basis.

It’s disappointing not to at least have a Blizzard or an ice cream cone to hand out, said Saenz.

But, he isn’t surprised at the response from people eager to try a new restaurant.

Franchise owner Carlos Saenz plans to open his DQ Grill & Chill at Ballantrae Village Shoppes by mid-March.
(Kathy Steele)

DQ Grill & Chill is located at 17826 Aprile Drive, off Ballantrae Boulevard and State Road 54.

More than 50,000 vehicles travel up and down the state road. Ballantrae Village Shoppes sits at the entrance to the master-planned community of Ballantrae, north of U.S. 41.

Further north, Bexley Ranch and Asturia are among new subdivisions populating the state highway. To the south, Long Lake Ranch homes are for sale. More retail and commercial are popping up where cows once grazed.

At Ballantrae Village, Circle K is nearly built. In addition to Dairy Queen, the approximately 17,000-square-foot shopping plaza will have T-Mobile, Taco Bell and Dunkin’ Donuts. Other parcels are available.

The activity up and down State Road 54 is a prime reason that Saenz, and his wife Pam, took a deep dive into a new venture – as fast-food restaurant owners.

“We think we’re in a great spot,” said Saenz. “Three years ago, this area was probably a five or six (on a scale of 10). I think we’re at a nine or 10, with the amount of homes and traffic.”

The Saenz’s live in the Oakstead subdivision with their 14-year-old daughter, Madison. Pam Saenz is a Pasco County teacher.

Carlos Saenz is stepping away from a long career in the insurance industry to open his first Dairy Queen. A second franchise in Hudson is possible.

When Saenz researched restaurant franchises, he zeroed in on Dairy Queen for a personal reason. He grew up in Puerto Rico, but as a middle school student moved to Kissimmee, Florida.

His first fast-food meal was at a Dairy Queen on U.S. 192. “It’s still there,” Saenz said.

He feels many others also feel nostalgic about a restaurant that began in 1940. Back then, it sold burgers, hot dogs, fries, Peanut Buster parfaits, Dilly bars and ice cream cones.

Dairy Queen celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2015. The company boasts of more than 1,560 DQ Grill & Chill restaurants in 46 states.

Saenz said Dairy Queen, in recent years, has kept its traditional menu items, but also modernized to keep up with the times. The DQ Grill & Chill concept started nearly two decades ago.

The old favorites are still there, but chicken strip baskets and sandwiches and honey-flavored barbecue have been added. DQ rotates some items in and out, including a recent Kansas-style pork sandwich on pretzel bread and a Philly cheesesteak.

Customers are now described as “fans.”

Dairy Queen supports community-based charitable events. Saenz said the company supports a national campaign to collect donations for the Miracle Children’s Network. However, money collected locally stays in the community, he said.

He anticipates sponsoring special “spirit night” events for area schools, with a portion of proceeds benefiting each school.

A grassy area near the outdoor patio could be gated off as a kind of dog park. Saenz said he expects foot traffic from nearby Ballantrae homes, and people will want to bring their pets.

“We’re going to be partners with the community and engaging with schools,” Saenz said.

Published March 1, 2017

Filed Under: Land O' Lakes News, Local News Tagged With: Aprile Drive, Asturia, Ballantrae Boulevard, Ballantrae Village Shoppes, Bexley Ranch, Carlos Saenz, Circle K, Dairy Queen, DQ Grill & Chill, Dunkin’ Donuts, Long Lake Ranch, Miracle Children's Network, Oakstead, Pam Saenz, State Road 54, T-Mobile, Taco Bell, U.S. 192, U.S. 41

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