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Carriage House set to get $155,000 facelift

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A notable piece of Zephyrhills history is set to be restored — in hopes of boosting Zephyrhills’  main street corridor, while preserving a landmark of the city’s storied past.

The Zephyrhills City Council has approved a $155,000 project to renovate the Carriage House — a two-story wooden structure connected to the Historic Jeffries House, at 38537 Fifth Ave.

The Jeffries House was built in 1910 for Capt. Harold Jeffries, the founder of Zephyrhills. Jeffries was responsible for bringing many Union Civil War veterans into the area. The house where he lived is a part of the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.

The Carriage House is a two-story wooden structure connected to the Historic Jeffries House, at 38537 Fifth Ave. Renovation of the dilapidated building is part of an effort to beautify the downtown area and contribute to the preservation of other buildings within the Community Redevelopment Area district. (Courtesy of Gail Hamilton)

The council awarded the $155,000 construction contract to Zephyrhills-based Kerns Family Construction Company Inc.

The motion passed 4-1 during an Aug. 24 regular meeting, with Councilman Alan Knight dissenting.

The scope of the project includes myriad interior and exterior improvements to the dilapidated structure. The renovation includes new roof trusses, windows, lap siding, doors and second floor balcony. It also calls for replacing electrical wiring, plumbing, kitchen and bathroom fixtures, among several other enhancements. The project is expected to be completed in four months.

In voting against the project, Knight reasoned the Carriage House attachment should be bulldozed, with the money spent on other projects, such as sidewalk repairs, new playground equipment and sprucing up the Hercules Park property.

“I just can’t see putting $155,000 into that building,” Knight said.

Once the project is finished, the city plans to lease it out to a business tenant for around $1,500 to $2,000 per month.

But, Knight also noted, there’s plenty of other empty storefronts along “the main drag” of Fifth Avenue.

He said the city has failed to rent out the Jeffries House, which the city purchased for $110,000  in 2014 and renovated for $50,000 in 2016.

The building is currently utilized by the Zephyrhills CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) and nonprofit Main Street Zephyrhills Inc.

“We did the same thing with the Jeffries House, ‘Oh we’re going to lease it out,’ and we never leased anything out,” Knight said.

“I think we made a mistake,” he said.

While Council President Charles Proctor ultimately voted for the renovation contract with Kerns Construction, he sided with Knight’s sentiments about the project, in general.

“Personally, I would’ve liked to have just leveled it over, took the money and spend it on something else, but here nor there, we’re going to redo it and I do hope that it stays in budget, that’s my biggest thing,” said Proctor.

Other supporting council members reasoned that the undertaking is a long-term investment in the city’s historic downtown that will pay dividends in time.

“I totally understand where Councilman Knight is coming from, but I look at it more as like an investment in the downtown area, an investment and maintaining a historical building,”  Councilman Lance Smith said.

“I look at it as this was the property that the founder of Zephyrhills owned, and it should be worth saving, I would think,” he added.

Council Vice President Jodi Wilkeson, expressed support for saving the Carriage House, noting it’s worth the investment.

“This is a learning opportunity,” Wilkeson said. “It’s an opportunity to promote our downtown. It’s an opportunity to promote the Jeffries House, because right now it’s an eyesore (with the Carriage House). When it’s finished it’s going to be beautiful…”

As a bonus, Kerns Construction will organize a series of public workshops at the Carriage House during ongoing construction — inviting residents to see how to complete restoration tasks, such as stripping floors and repairing windows. These “How To” activities also will be  live-streamed on various social media platforms.

“People are interested in that, and it’s attracting young people to our city, and it’s changing the demographic to our community,” Wilkeson said.

Zephyrhills City Manager Billy Poe also provided updates on several development projects:

  • City staff has submitted required documents to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) for the U.S. 301/Pretty Pond Road signalized intersection project.

Issues recently arose over the city’s selection of BRW Contracting Inc., a Land O’ Lakes company that isn’t on FDOT’s pre-qualified vendor list. Poe said “fingers are crossed, prayers are being said,” FDOT will approve the proposal and a forthcoming agreement will be on the city’s Sept. 14 meeting agenda. The intersection project is being funded via a $2.3 million appropriation included in this year’s state budget; the project has a seven-month construction timeline.

  • The bid letting process for the multimillion Country Road 54 enhancement project remains “on hold” until the city and Pasco County can reach an agreement on splitting costs for it. The scope of the project calls for various turn lanes, a signalized intersection and a multi-use path along a 1.31 mile stretch, generally from east of U.S. 301 to 23rd Street.
  • The city’s planning department is working on designs for the Kossick Road extension to Otis Allen Road, to help make way for the Zephyr Lakes single-family residential development. The city manager explained the idea is to tie in a four-lane road, but a large transmission pole may prevent that, “so we’re working on getting meetings scheduled with Pasco County and Duke Energy to see what can be done.”
  • The $4.9 million Sarah Vande Berg Tennis & Wellness Center final completion date is targeted for Sept. 29; the scheduling of a grand opening date is still to be determined.

Published September 02, 2020

Development is ramping up in Zephyrhills

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Except for some weeks throughout March and April, the COVID-19 hasn’t halted much new development within the City of Zephyrhills.

That’s the word from Zephyrhills Planning Director Todd Vande Berg, who outlined a number of citywide projects during an East Pasco Networking Group virtual meeting on June 23.

Perhaps the most notable setback, Vande Berg said, involved a slight delay in court installations at the forthcoming Sarah Vande Berg Tennis and Wellbeing Center, due to some extra safety and travel precautions taken from Miami-based construction crews.

However, the nearly $5 million project on Simons Road is proceeding well, with a grand opening scheduled for mid-to-late August.

Zephyrhills Planning Director Todd Vande Berg was the featured guest speaker at an East Pasco Networking Group virtual meeting on June 23. (File)

Aside from that, the planning director said, “I haven’t heard of a lot of slowdown, at least in our community.”

Underscoring the point is the myriad projects and initiatives Zephyrhills has in the pipeline — mainly in regards to new residential construction.

Larger single-family developments underway include The District at Abbott’s Square, Zephyr Lakes, Hidden River, Links at Calusa Springs, plus various expansions to the Silver Oaks and Silverado communities, respectively.

In other words, the city’s real estate market is “very hot right now,” Vande Berg said.

He explained, “I don’t know where all these people are coming from, but these housing subdivisions are selling homes for over $300,000 with HOAs and CDDs. I wasn’t sure how that’d work in Zephyrhills, but you drive up to Silverado and before the lot infrastructure is completed, you’re seeing a ‘Sold’ sign, so it is amazing.

“Even through this COVID-19 environment the residential housing…has really stayed very strong, which helps the city from a budget and revenue standpoint.”

Vande Berg added another 550-plus residential development is being planned around the new tennis center and should be underway a year or so from now.

The Lennar project will feature one-story villas, two-story townhomes and three different lot sizes. “It’s going to be a unique project,” Vande Berg said, adding, “we’re just beginning the due process on that.”

The planning director touched on a number of commercial developments, too.

Much is contingent on the addition of two signalized intersections on U.S. 301, Pretty Pond Road and Medical Arts Courts.

Funding for the $2.3 million project is in the state budget for this fiscal year. The aim of the traffic signal project — already out to bid — is to speed up potential commercial development in the northeast and northwest corners of U.S. 301 and Pretty Pond, and to improve access to the Merchants Square and Townview Square shopping centers.

The project will “spur a lot of development” along the intersection, Vande Berg said.

Additionally, a slew of light industrial businesses have recently set up shop at Park Place Center — an industrial park situated on Chancey Road south of Skydive City. That development is funded by a group of local investors.

“There’s a lot of activity going on in there,” Vande Berg said. “If you get a chance, go back there and drive around in that industrial park and you’ll see everything that’s going on in there.

Zephyrhills will join more than 100 other cities and water treatment facilities across the country in a federal lawsuit that is going after various companies that manufactured firefighting foam containing chemicals found to contaminate water wells. (File)

“We’re always excited when we have new, quality industrial manufacturing coming in, that creates jobs, they don’t require a lot of city services, and they generate a lot of ad valorem revenue for the city, so it’s always very positive, and you see that happening, to help diversify our community economy, and just good business overall,” Vande Berg said.

Another visible construction project underway is the rebuild of Jerry’s Crystal Bar on Gall Boulevard. The bar had been a community landmark downtown for over 60 years, until a fire destroyed the building last May.

The project will fall under the requirements of the city’s form-based code for the U.S. 301/Gall Boulevard corridor area, whereby the facade is aligned right up to the street with a wide sidewalk and all parking is situated behind the bar.

The planning director described the new building as “a big improvement” from beforehand, adding future projects within the corridor will be required to meet form-based code — a tool used to regulate new development in a manner compatible with the community’s vision.

For example, Vande Berg noted a builder is looking to erect townhomes on Seventh Street, so those structures likewise would be situated right up to the street with backlot parking.

Vande Berg observed of the zoning regulations: “You’ve probably seen that in other communities where it’s been pretty successful, so we’re doing the same thing here.”

Another anticipated project moving along is a new 14,000-square-foot Veterans Affairs clinic, at 378727 Eiland Blvd. Construction broke ground last June, but work halted after last-minute changes to modify the facility’s design and layout.

Those site plan changes were recently approved by the city’s review committee, Vande Berg said, “so they should be getting along with that pretty soon, we anticipate.”

In the arena of new eateries, Zephyrhills is set to land Chipotle and Chick-fil-A franchises in the near future.

Chipotle has been approved by the city for a small commercial outparcel in the Zephyr Commons Shopping Center and construction should begin soon, Vande Berg said.

Chick-fil-A, meanwhile, will be located at the northeast corner of U.S. 301 and Pretty Pond Road. The franchise is likely waiting until the new traffic light project is a go before construction gets underway, Vande Berg said.

Some other updates and happenings for Zephyrhills the planning director shared:

  • An extension of Kossik Road is complete, to service the Abbott Park residential development.
  • The city is working with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) on continuing State Road 56 east of U.S. 301 with four-lane alignment alternatives, as well as one-way pairs on Gall Boulevard.
  • The city received a $15,000 grant from Duke Energy toward the long-range Zephyrhills Industrial Corridor master plan.
  • The city has applied for a $15,000 grant from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) to revamp the housing element of its comprehensive plan.

Published July 08, 2020

Starkey Gap project poses safety issues

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The ‘soft opening’ of the Starkey Gap Trail has generated some concerns about safety.

The new segment of trail creates a connection between Pasco and Pinellas counties, and is an important link in the Coast to Coast Connector Trail, running from Saint Petersburg to Titusville.

Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey has been instrumental in pushing the Starkey Gap Trail forward. The pathway would be a part of the Coast to Coast Connector Trail, running from Saint Petersburg to Titusville. (File)

The estimated $2.6 million Starkey Gap Trail project starts south of Trinity Boulevard, in Pinellas County, heads north connecting to State Road 54 and goes west on the corridor to intersect with Starkey Boulevard.

The Starkey Gap Trail isn’t officially open yet, but that hasn’t stopped people from using it, said Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey.

Starkey has noticed a safety concern involving those walking the north end to the south end of State Road 54, to get to the trail.

As she put it: “They have been left in the little strip of concrete in the middle of State Road 54, absolutely terrified.”

She’s been vocal about getting an overpass over State Road 54, to solve that problem.

The overpass could would connect the north end and south end of the corridor, while avoiding motorists.

Starkey said she’s been discussing short-term solutions with David Gwynn, secretary for the Florida Department of Transportation’s (FDOT) district seven.

The state is looking into potential funding sources, she said.

Starkey said a proper trailhead is needed too, to discourage those who use the trail from parking on the grass along Trinity Boulevard. A trailhead typically is located where the trail begins, and includes parking, so people can unload their bicycles.

It would be a means of offsetting parking buildup for establishments, and their patrons, off of Trinity Boulevard – such as Fox Hollow Golf Club and Restaurant.

Starkey noted: “If you’ve ever tried to park there for a lunch meeting or anything, [there] is very small parking. They’ve even had to pull off to the grass under the trees on the right.

“They’re not going to be happy if people are parking in their parking lot, for the trail, which goes right by there.”

Pasco County did not include the installation of a trailhead in its original plans for the project, but Starkey said she and Sam Beneck, a county project manager, have “identified a couple places that could be a temporary trailhead,” including Duke Energy property.

Advocating for trails and trail safety is nothing new for Starkey.

She frequently asks questions about potential trail connections during Pasco County Commission public hearings, to make sure potential linkages are protected.

She also is known for her work in the arena of bicycle safety, receiving the 2018 Elected Official Champion of the Year from the Florida Bicycle Association.

In bestowing the honor last year, Becky Alfonso, executive director of the association, praised Starkey’s work.

“Her experience, tenacity and public service record are admirable and inspirational,” Alfonso said, at the time.

Published February 05, 2020

Zephyrhills economic summit highlights industrial hub

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It may now be famous for its crystal clear water and skydiving but, someday, the City of Zephyrhills also wants to be known for its industrial offerings and high-wage jobs.

The third annual Zephyrhills Economic Summit, held earlier this month, focused on the need to maximize both the use of the Zephyrhills Municipal Airport and the development potential of adjacent industrial property.

The event, at Zephyrhills City Hall, was presented by the Zephyrhills Economic Development Coalition (ZEDC) in partnership with the City of Zephyrhills and Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce.

The third annual Zephyrhills Economic Summit focused on the importance of developing an industrial corridor and cultivating high-wage jobs. Shown here speaking is Zephyrhills planning director Todd Vande Berg. (Kevin Weiss)

City officials are developing a 20-year master plan known as the Zephyrhills Industrial Corridor Plan.

The proposed industrial development hub encompasses approximately 9.76 square miles (6,248 acres) of land in the southeast portion of the city, around the Chancey Road corridor and municipal airport.

Roughly a third of the property is within city limits and the remainder in unincorporated Pasco County — representing the largest aggregation of industrial lands in the county.

Within that area is 442 divisible acres of what’s known as the Zephyrhills Airport Industrial Park, a build-ready site equipped with water, sewer and electric utilities, and accessible to natural gas.

While the corridor is still in preliminary stages, it ultimately will set the city up for long-term growth and economic sustainability, said Zephyrhills planning director Todd Vande Berg.

Possible targeted industries could include aerospace, aviation and defense; advanced manufacturing; light manufacturing; electronics and technology; logistics and distribution; life sciences and medical technology; telecom/data hosting centers; research and development; showroom; refrigeration/cold storage and other uses.

Vande Berg explained a built-out industrial corridor will yield more revenues for the city and create a better jobs-to-housing balance. He also noted industrial manufacturing uses less services — police, fire, water, sewer— compared to, say, residential or commercial land use.

All that, he said, will ultimately “raise the bar in quality of life” for Zephyrhills residents, allowing funds to be steered toward downtown redevelopment, recreational amenities and other community uses.

“We want to be economically diverse. We don’t just want to have family residential, we want to have a mix of uses,” Vande Berg said.

“If we bring in industrial, we’re going to be more fiscally solvent, and that ties in with being resilient. If we have the industrial there, we feel like we’re in a better position with the city.”

The city planner expressed confidence the corridor’s utility offerings and centralized proximity to Orlando, Lakeland and Tampa makes it an attractive spot for companies looking to relocate or set up shop.

“We’ve got a great location we feel like,” he said. “We have such an asset out there in the southeast quadrant of the city.”

The entire planning area is generally bound by Melrose Avenue to the north, the CSX Transportation railroad and U.S. 301 to the west, Pattie Road to the south, and Barry Road and the Upper Hillsborough Wildlife Management Area to the east.

Two CSX mainline railroads traverse the area and it is accessible to Port Tampa Bay and the CSX Central Florida Intermodal Logistics Center.

The local airport also is undergoing a $5.9 million runway extension and roadway improvements to accommodate larger commercial aircraft, and encourage aviation and industrial development.

Moving forward, Vande Berg said ongoing collaboration is vital between the city, county and state officials to have a coordinated plan on zoning and land use, and “to continue to improve transportation accessibility to this industrial corridor.”

He mentioned a more near-term priority is working with the Florida Department of Transportation to extend State Road 56 east of U.S. 301 to connect to Chancey Road. “Transportation’s huge, like anywhere,” he said.

Aside from transportation and infrastructure boosts to draw companies in, other speakers said the city needs more workforce development programs to develop skilled labor employees and then keep them in the area.

It’s already something holding back existing industrial businesses in the city, said Dr. Randy Stovall, president of the Zephyrhills chamber.

“They can’t find those people they want to hire,” Stovall said. “They want to hire them, but there’s not enough of them, so that is a challenge. We’ve had that (issue) for some time.”

Tom Ryan, economic development manager for Pasco Economic Development Council Inc.,  said having training programs and a baseline of skilled labor in place is “a huge component” for luring large companies to a particular area.

“We’ve got to have (workforce) inventory,” Ryan said. “We’ve got to have a plan to tell those companies, ‘Look, we want your jobs here, and we have a plan to help you bring those jobs here.’”

Pasco County Commission Chairman Ron Oakley pointed out that Zephyrhills and the East Pasco area are working to position the area to do just that.

Pasco County Schools plans to build a technical high school by 2022 near the intersection of Curley Road and Kiefer Road in Wesley Chapel that will hold nearly 900 students.

Meanwhile, Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative (WREC) plans to construct a 4,000-square-foot facility for AmSkills to teach manufacturing jobs.

Also, local business owner Kevin Bahr of Bahr’s Propane Gas & A/C is starting a teaching school to train propane service and HVAC technicians.

“The county is working very hard for jobs,” Oakley said. “Our county’s growing. We need jobs, and we need to teach them (the necessary skills).”

Elsewhere during the summit, State Rep. Randy Maggard commended Zephyrhills “for thinking ahead of schedule” in regards to its future and planned industrial hub.

Maggard, a Republican representing District 38, specifically applauded city leaders for this year putting a $2 million septic to sewer project at the top of their state appropriations request list.

The project includes decommissioning existing septic tanks to a residential subdivision and homes along Sixth Avenue and Armstrong Street, with potential for sewer expansion to additional properties in the future.

The project aims to prevent springs from dying because of nitrates from septic tanks.

“At the end of the day, if we don’t have water, none of this matters,” Maggard said. “We can talk about infrastructure, we can talk about a lot of things, but if we can’t provide water, it doesn’t matter at all.”

The elected official also gave this piece of advice for the city going forward: “You need to tell us where you want to go, and we need to help you get there in the long-term planning, funding, whatever it takes for us to be able to do that.”

Other summit speakers included Mohsen Mohammadi, chief operations officer for American Infrastructure Development; David Gwynn, District 7 secretary for the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT); and Danielle Ruiz, economic development manager for Duke Energy.

Published October 23, 2019

Economic summit to focus on industrial hub

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Local business and government leaders in Zephyrhills will join together for an event that will spotlight the city’s industrial corridor and ongoing efforts to cultivate high-wage manufacturing jobs.

The third annual Zephyrhills Economic Summit is scheduled for Oct. 9 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Zephyrhills City Hall, 5335 Eighth St., in Zephyrhills.

The summit primarily will focus on the city’s forthcoming industrial corridor master plan and Zephyrhills Municipal Airport runway extension, according to a press release from the Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce.

Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce executive director Melonie Monson is organizing the third annual Zephyrhills Economic Summit.

Other topics will broach infrastructure and the East Pasco roadway network, plus updates on various state and county intergovernmental collaboration projects in the region.

The event is presented by the Zephyrhills Economic Development Coalition (ZEDC) in partnership with the City of Zephyrhills and the Zephyrhills chamber.

Registration is $10 and will include lunch and continental breakfast.

The summit will feature interactive discussions and presentations from the following speakers:

  • Billy Poe, Zephyrhills city manager Billy Poe
  • Dr. Randy Stovall, Zephyrhills chamber president
  • Todd Vande Berg, city planning director
  • Mohsen Mohammadi, chief operations officer for American Infrastructure Development
  • David Gwynn, District 7 secretary for the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT)
  • Randy Maggard, State Rep. District 38
  • Ron Oakley, chairman of the Pasco County Commission
  • Tom Ryan, economic development manager for Pasco Economic Development Council, Inc.
  • Danielle Ruiz, economic development manager for Duke Energy

Zephyrhills’ proposed industrial development hub focuses on a large grouping of industrial properties and adjacent areas within the Chancey Road corridor and municipal airport.

The planning area is generally bound by Melrose Avenue to the north, the CSX Transportation railroad and U.S. 301 to the west, Pattie Road to the south, and Barry Road and the Upper Hillsborough Wildlife Management Area to the east. That encompasses approximately 9.76 square miles (6,248 acres), including 33% within Zephyrhills and the remainder in unincorporated Pasco County — representing the largest aggregation of industrial lands in Pasco.

Zephyrhills chamber executive director Melonie Monson, who’s organizing the summit, underscored the need to build out the industrial corridor, to recruit employment-generating manufacturing companies and to develop a middle-class workforce in Zephyrhills.

The city is pining for a “medium-sized industrial manufacturer,” Monson said, to give local high school graduates a place to work, so they can remain in the community.

The chamber director believes that Zephyrhills could attract such a company soon. She cited the city’s recent efforts to partner with Pasco County to spend millions of dollars to extend water and sewer to the industrial site.

“It’s just ready for industry, it just is,” she said.

Monson put it this way: “We’re excited the city’s being proactive instead of reactive, so when that big person hits and says, ‘I want to come here,’ we’ll be ready for that and say, ‘Here’s your spot, this is what we have, these are the incentives, this is your workforce.’

“That’s what we’re working toward, to put all those pieces together to make sure that we get what we want here,” Monson said.

She said the industrial corridor also could pave the way for other companies in distribution, light manufacturing, aviation and so on.

“I believe it’s going to have a lot of different textures to it,” the chamber executive said.

She is encouraged by the city’s direction in recent years of attracting younger families and groups to live, work and play.

She mentioned the downtown area alone has added a brewery, a billiards hall and axe-throwing venue, and other things to do.

Zephyrhills also is in the midst of getting a state-of-the-art tennis center and thousands of new homes and apartments.

The city recently landed its first Starbucks and Wawa. A Chick-Fil-A in the works.

Other notable businesses set to come online include Aldi Supermarket, PetSmart, Marriott Fairfield Hotel and Dollar General.

“We’re getting there. In the last three or four years you’ve just seen this huge spur of development,” Monson said.

Previous Zephyrhills economic summits focused on the medical community and education. Monson said next year’s will likely be geared around workforce development.

The summits encourage stakeholders to collaborate to help move Zephyrhills forward as a viable community.

“We’re the only community in Pasco County that’s doing something like this — where we have a coalition that really focuses on pro-business, pro-education, trying to make our community stand out in the midst of all of the other communities.

“We just every year want to make sure that we let people know what we really have here and what we’re doing and why you might want to come and be a part of the Zephyrhills community,” Monson said.

For information and to register for the summit, contact Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce director Melonie Monson at (813) 782-1913 or

Published October 2, 2019

 

 

A home welcomes Zephyrhills’ impoverished

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There’s an open-door policy to whomever walks in the Samaritan Project of Zephyrhills Inc., with economic struggles weighing them down.

The organization has become a fixture in Zephyrhills to combat the continuing cycle of homelessness.

Established in 2008, the agency was in response to those already living on the streets, or on the verge.

The Samaritan Project works to get its name out to the community in helping the homeless. Pedro Molina and Roxxy Geisenheimer advocate on behalf of the organization at Zephyr Park. (Courtesy of the Samaritan Project of Zephyrhills Inc.)

Roxxy Geisenheimer is the executive director for the Samaritan Project and has been with the agency for the past two years.

“This organization was founded to stop the domino effect that happens when people experience traumas, tragedies or unforeseen circumstances,” she explained.

The director added that Zephyrhills saw a need for a “one-stop shop resource center.”

In turn, its office has a donation pantry where the less fortunate can come to collect food boxes, hygienic products and comb through racks of clothing.

The Samaritan Project staff also sits down with individuals to assess their situation and refer them to the proper resources.

Some may need things as simple as identification cards or bus passes, while others’ needs are more urgent.

In pinpointing the necessary resources, the agency works with the Coalition for the Homeless of Pasco County, among other organizations, in what is known as the Continuum of Care.

Under this program, local institutions collaborate in collecting data to ultimately house the homeless and take preventive measures.

One such partnership the Samaritan Project has is with United Way of Pasco County.

Together they have established an agreement with Duke Energy to help clientele with past due electric bills.

Homeless veterans and their loved ones are referred to the Supportive Services for Veteran Families to help get on track to stable housing.

And, while the Samaritan Project has a psychologist on staff, there are those whose mental instability prevents them from properly articulating their needs.

In these cases, they may be sent for treatment to such places as Premier Community HealthCare, BayCare Behavioral Health or the North Tampa Behavioral Health Hospital.

Agency staff is also ready to drive people to their needed destinations, if necessary.

The collaborations go both ways as the Samaritan Project also receives referrals from local hospitals, law enforcement and churches, Geisenheimer said.

“We all try to share information and resources the best we can, and wrap around people who are struggling,” she added.

Job counselors help to get some on the road to employment, and disability attorneys advocate for those who cannot work.

Guardians ad Litem also support parents in the courtroom to reunite with their children when living conditions begin to improve.

However, not everyone who walks through the agency’s door comes from a cycle of poverty.

Samaritan Project staff members often go outdoors to befriend the homeless and help to get them on their feet. From left, front: Karen Greene, Carol Greene and Roxxy Geisenheimer; and, back: Paul Bathrick and Lawrence Vickstrom are several of the friendly faces found at the agency’s office.

“We work with people who, at one point, did very well for themselves,” the director said.

She noted that currently employed individuals, such as electricians, health care workers and teachers, also find themselves homeless.

From 2013 to 2017, the average household income in Zephyrhills was only an estimated $35,100 and the current poverty rate stands at 20 percent (of the population), according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

While some with jobs make a steady income, it may not be enough to keep them in their home – or even put down a security deposit.

In turn, the agency offers the Rent/Utility Assistance Program.

This initiative grants funds to help pay the rent or mortgage short-term, while trying to find a long-term solution.

“We try to help them figure out ‘how do we prevent this from being a problem next month,’” Geisenheimer explained.

With the Emergency Cold Weather Shelter program, staff will be on call 24 hours a day.

When the temperature drops below a certain level, displaced individuals are taken to safe shelters, whether a gymnasium or a hotel room.

To support its efforts, several grants are given from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the Florida Department of Children and Families.

However, most of the agency’s funding comes from community donations, like businesses, churches or individuals, the director said.

Although Geisenheimer has seen various demographics seek help, she said she’s most surprised by the amount of elderly people who are homeless.

She recalled once helping a wheelchair-bound woman in her 80s make the transition from the woods to being placed in an assisted living facility.

That too, is what staff will do once closing up the office – street outreach. The agency sets out to find those in the woods or in abandoned buildings.

And, while they offer assistance to get people off the street, they will help set up tents for those not quite ready to leave the outdoors.

This is understandable to staff that volunteer, as they were, at one point, in the position as those they serve.

Geisenheimer, herself, was struggling years ago to find a stable home when she was pregnant.

She stated that staff members offer others not sympathy but empathy, noting:

“They know when they walk through the door, that they’re not being judged.”

What’s more, the agency does not operate in a plaza or off a main road, but within a residential area.

Its office is a renovated, two-bedroom house, which adds to a welcoming atmosphere, the director said.

She said that those who are displaced should remain hopeful that their situation is temporary.

And, by stepping through the front door of the office, that hope can become a reality.

For additional information or help, call (813) 810-8670, or visit Facebook.com/SamaritanProjectZephyrhills.

Published May 29, 2019

Duke’s landscaping plan gains approval

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The Pasco County Planning Commission has approved a landscaping plan submitted by Duke Energy Florida LLC., in connection to an electrical substation in Wesley Chapel.

The planning board had previously approved the electric company’s request for an expansion to its electrical substation on a 20-acre parcel on the north side of Satinleaf Lane, about 650 feet west of Smith Road. However, that approval was contingent on Duke’s subsequent submission of a landscaping plan relating to the project for the planning board’s approval.

Residents of Meadow Pointe had sought additional landscaping to reduce the visual impacts from the expanded substation.

Drew Gilmore, a public engagement specialist for Duke Energy, outlined the company’s plan for buffering the substation from its neighbors’ views.

The plan he presented included more trees and a different assortment of plantings than initially proposed. The electric company also has agreed to add more trees in an area within the  Meadow Pointe subdivision.

However, while Meadow Pointe residents wanted more landscaping, those living closest to the substation — in Satinleaf — told commissioners they didn’t want any additional landscaping between their properties and the substation.

Rather, they said, they prefer a view of open pastureland.

Planning commissioners voted to keep the additional landscaping, to buffer the substation from Meadow Pointe, and to eliminate the proposed landscaping between Satinleaf and the substation.

In other action, the board:

  • Approved a request from Tracy L. and Raul Rodriguez Jr./Keiro Academy, for a private school on 20.6 acres of land zoned for agricultural and residential use. The parcel is on the east side of Bellamy Brothers Boulevard, about one-half mile north of Darby Road.

According to the applicant’s information, “Our student population will primarily demonstrate anxiety, sadness, defiance and school refusal issues stemming from technology overuse. Our students simply need to reconnect with nature in a screen-free environment and to develop social and life skills to succeed. We intend to create a program exclusively for boys age (15 to 20) and seek to maintain a daily census of 32 students who will live on the property.

  • Recommended approval of a license for the sale of alcoholic beverages at Chipotle Mexican Grill, at the northwest corner of State Road 56 and Grand Cypress Drive, extending to Sierra Center Boulevard.

The Planning Commission is the county’s land planning agency. It has decision-making authority for special exception requests, which can be appealed to the Pasco County Commission.

All other planning commission decisions are recommendations to the Pasco County Commission, which has final authority on zoning and land use matters.

Published January 23, 2019

Private school, more retail, on planning commission agenda

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The Pasco County Planning Commission will consider requests for a private school, and increased retail development, among items during its Jan. 10 public hearing at 1:30 p.m.

Planning commissioners will consider these requests on their consent agenda.

  • Request from Tracy L. and Raul Rodriguez Jr./Keiro Academy, for a private school on 20.6 acres of land zoned for agricultural and residential use. The parcel is on the east side of Bellamy Brothers Boulevard, about one-half mile north of Darby Road.

According to the applicant’s information, “Our student population will primarily demonstrate anxiety, sadness, defiance and school refusal issues stemming from technology overuse. Our students simply need to reconnect with nature in a screen-free environment, and to develop social and life skills to succeed. We intend to create a program exclusively for boys age (15 to 20) and seek to maintain a daily census of 32 students who will live on the property.

“Keiro Academy will not accept students with histories of violence, crime, drug or alcohol abuse issues.”

County staff has recommended approval of the request, with conditions.

  • Request for a substantial modification to the Cypress Creek Town Center master planned unit development (MPUD) — Pasco 54, Ltd.; Pasco Ranch, Inc.; and JG Cypress Creek LLC.

This request calls for changes that would allow for an increase of retail/commercial square footage from 1,998,400 square feet to 2,399,500 square feet, which is an increase of 401,000 square feet; a decrease in hotel rooms from 350 rooms to 135 rooms; and, an increase of multifamily units from 230 units to 600 units, on approximately 490 acres of land.

County staff has recommended approval of the request, with conditions.

When an item is on the consent agenda, the planning commission won’t discuss it, unless a member of the board has questions, or someone in the audience wishes to speak on the item.

On their regular agenda, planning commissioners are expected to hear from representatives from Duke Energy Florida LLC, regarding a proposed landscaping plan in connection with the company’s request for an electrical substation on the north side of Satinleaf Lane, approximately 650 feet west of Smith Road, in Wesley Chapel.

The Planning Commission previously approved Duke’s request for the special exception, but that was subject to the applicant submitting a landscaping plan for review and approval.

The proposed landscaping plan calls for more extensive screening than previously proposed, including more trees and different varieties of planting materials.

The planning commission meeting will be in the board room on the second floor of the courthouse, at 37918 Meridian Ave., in Dade City.

Published January 9, 2019

County continues pursuit of Ridge Road Extension

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Pasco County is continuing its pursuit of a project to allow the extension of Ridge Road, and Sam Beneck, the county’s project manager, gave a briefing on the status during a Dec. 12 luncheon meeting of the North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce.

“We are currently in the design and permitting phase,” said Beneck. “We have not started any construction activities,” he told members and guests during the luncheon at the Fox Hollow Golf Club in Trinity.

At the North Tampa Bay Chamber luncheon on Dec. 12, Sam Beneck, Pasco County project manager, updates attendees on the current plans for the Ridge Road Extension. (Brian Fernandes)

The planned 9-mile project will be broken into two phases, the project manager said. Phase 1 would stretch from Moon Lake Road in New Port Richey heading east to the Suncoast Parkway. Phase 2 would run from the Suncoast Parkway to U.S. 41, in Land O’ Lakes.

The duration for the first phase is expected to be three years, but the county hopes to shorten that.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers views it as one project, and the funds for the phases will be allocated separately.

The first phase is estimated at $67.8 million. The second phase has not yet been funded.

A Suncoast Parkway interchange also is being considered. The design for that project is expected to cost $1 million, with funding from the Florida Turnpike Enterprise.

“In prior years, we have expended almost $20 million on this project,” Beneck explained. “That includes land acquisition, a fair amount of design and redesign.”

He emphasized that in working with the Corps of Engineers, the county vigorously sought the alternative that is cost efficient, while improving mobility and reducing hurricane evacuation time.

Replacing roadside slopes with walls and pedestrian rails is being considered, he said.

The project manager also said the county has been working closely with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to reduce impacts to the environment.

Pasco County and the Corps of Engineers came to a consensus in 2017 on an approach called Modified Alternative 7 as the least environmentally damaging option. It calls for partially elevating the Ridge Road Extension.

According to a traffic analysis survey, Modified Alternative 7 would also increase traffic flow and reduce evacuation time.

Under the plan, 16 bridges would be added in sensitive areas, as well as curbs and guardrails.

Specialized fencing also will be installed in areas where animals are most likely to frequent.

The county also would provide $3.2 million in compensation for environmental impacts during Phase 1.

The county also is collaborating with Duke Energy to design a new trailhead with parking and to provide access to existing hiking trails within the Serenova Preserve.

The county expects a permit decision by the Corps of Engineers by September 2019.

While the county continues to press forward on its efforts, the project continues to meet resistance.

Two of those opponents spoke at the Pasco County Commission’s Dec. 11 meeting.

Dan Callaghan, a long-time critic of the Ridge Road Extension, said that contrary to the county’s claims, the project is being pursued to promote development, not to improve hurricane evacuation.

He said the county wants to nibble to death its preserve areas and “slash our wild places to death, by a thousand cuts.”

Clay Colson, who also opposes the Ridge Road Extension, urged commissioners to protect the county’s preserves.

“You know preserve is something that means we’re going to keep it for our future generations,” Colson said.

Instead of extending Ridge Road through the Serenova Preserve, Colson said the county should extend Connerton Boulevard to the Suncoast Parkway.

Staff writer B.C. Manion contributed to the report.

Published December 19, 2018

Construction begins to link recreational trails

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Pasco County’s engineering services had an event on Oct. 30 to celebrate the construction of the new Starkey Gap Bicycle and Pedestrian Trail that will link the Starkey and Suncoast Trails in Pasco County to the Pinellas Trail.

Construction of the new multi-use 2.4 mile-trail is expected to be completed in the summer of 2019.

Some cyclists were among those gathered to celebrate the beginning of construction of the Starkey Gap Bicycle and Pedestrian Trail. (Courtesy of Pasco County)

Once the segment is finished, it will provide connectivity to a trail that’s now more than 100 miles and continues to grow.

Construction of the Starkey Gap Trail is being funded and managed by the Florida Department of Transportation. After the trail is built, Pasco County will assume management of the trail.

This section of the trail is the last link of the Coast to Coast Connector Trail to be built in Pasco County. Once the Coast to Coast Connector Trail is completed, the network will stretch approximately 250 miles  — from St. Petersburg to Titusville.

Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey, who has played an instrumental role in addressing the need for recreational trails in Pasco, and across Florida, commented on the importance of this and other trail projects during an interview with The Laker/Lutz News.

“Before there ever was a Coast-to-Coast, we had this wonderful trail through Starkey Wilderness Park, which is a real jewel and it connects to the Suncoast Trail, which takes you all of the way up to Citrus County.

“The experiences on both trails are different, but they’re very special to serious cyclists.

Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey has a keen interest in linking Florida’s recreational trails together. She spoke during a recent event to celebrate the beginning of construction for the Starkey Gap Bicycle and Pedestrian Trail that will link the Starkey and Suncoast Trails in Pasco County to the Pinellas Trail.

“And then, you have the Pinellas Trail, which is a real economic driver for communities along that trail. It’s world famous.

“And, it just made so much sense to connect the two,” Starkey said.

She noted that she served on Florida’s Greenways and Trails Council, under governors Jeb Bush, Charlie Crist and Rick Scott.

While serving on that council during Bush’s administration, she said she learned about trails all over the state, and it just made sense to link those trails.

She was involved in linking the Starkey Trail to the Suncoast Trail, which provided a 100-mile trail, she said.

After that, she got started on working on the Starkey Gap link.

The Starkey Gap project will build a new 2.4-mile long multi-use trail from the Pasco/Pinellas County line to the southern end of the Starkey Trail, north of State Road 54 in Pasco County.

The trail will follow the Duke Energy right of way to State Road 54, west along SR 54 to Starkey Boulevard and then north to Starkey Trail.

The construction cost for the project is estimated at $2,615,000, according to a Florida Department of Transportation fact sheet. The work will be done by D.A.B. Constructors Inc., the fact sheet says.

Published November 7, 2018