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Nancy Hazelwood

Transit survey offers Pasco residents a say

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Judy Geiger would like to see Trilby Road widened, to improve its safety.

The Dade City resident explained the need: “We have a number of bicyclists. The roads are not wide enough to accommodate them and the cars. If you get behind a set of (bicyclists), you’re stuck. It’s not safe.”

At a July 23 workshop, Rob Cursey, left, of Tindale Oliver, and Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley discuss the potential projects that may arise in the Mobility 2045 Transportation Plan. Pasco residents are encouraged to give their input during an online survey. (Brian Fernandes)

She was among those attending a recent workshop held by the Pasco Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) to gather community feedback and suggestions for its 2045 Transportation Plan.

The Pasco MPO is encouraging residents to partake in its current Mobility 2045 Transportation Survey to provide information it can consider in its future transportation planning. It held recent workshops in New Port Richey, Wesley Chapel and Dade City to promote the survey.

Geiger attended the workshop at the Historic Pasco County Courthouse in Dade City. She had not yet taken the survey, but said she planned to do so and to point out her safety concerns.

Nancy Hazelwood, also of Dade City, attended the workshop, too. She said she doesn’t like the idea of expanding Blanton Road in Dade City. She thinks that would lead to more traffic and commercial development.

“We’re a rural community and we hope to stay a rural community,” she explained. “Zoning and land use should stay the same.”

At the Dade City workshop, Wally Blain, a senior project manager at Tindale Oliver, was among those present to field questions.

Tindale Oliver works with the MPO on various projects.

“The purpose of this survey is [to] review these needs, identify what’s a priority, and as we build a cost-affordable plan, we have a priority order,” Blain explained.

Potential economic impacts and job growth also are key factors in determining what projects may be implemented, Blain noted.

While the survey addresses projects that the county has had on its agenda for some time, it also took into account public feedback from the 2018 ‘It’s Time Pasco’ survey as well.

With more than 140 projects pinpointed on a map of Pasco County, those taking the survey can click on any given project, examine the details, react to the plan and offer comments.

Participants also can recommend projects they think are important, which the county can consider.

“Most of it are those community-based needs,” Blain said of the feedback. “We need sidewalks and mini-bike lanes, or we need better maintenance of roads.”

Blain also noted: “One key intersection that is focused on in the comments, is the State Road 54 and U.S. 41 interchange that FDOT (Florida Department of Transportation) currently has a project funded for. It’s good to know that those things that are getting the most comments are the things that are actually in the pipeline first, to get done.”

The workshop also offered boards of schematics with aerial views of the projects reflected on the survey.

The visual displays helped Blain to show what the county would like to see occur in its long-term plans.

Schematics show where additional lighting, pedestrian overpasses and roundabouts could be implemented county-wide.

Added lanes are also a focal point of major roadways such as U.S. 19; state roads 52, 54 and 56; and Interstate 75.

According to the MPO, more than 1,100 miles of additional roadway lanes are needed by 2045, along with six major intersections and interchanges.

A five-year capital budget plan is being analyzed to see what funds are available in the near future.

Meanwhile, long-term allocations look bleak.

Roadway costs for the 2045 plan are estimated to exceed $7 billion. Available revenue falls far short of that.

The survey is open to the public until August 15 and can be found at CommunityRemarks.com/pascocounty/.

The Mobility 2045 Transportation plan is expected to be adopted in December.

Published July 31, 2019

Decision coming on solar farm permits

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A decision on how and where to permit solar farms in Pasco County is headed for a vote on June 5 at 1:30 p.m., in Dade City.

Pasco County commissioners will consider an amended ordinance for the land development code on regulating solar farms. The ordinance had a first public hearing on May 22 in New Port Richey. No vote was taken at that hearing.

The matter has produced heated debate since plans for the Mountain View Solar Project were filed with Pasco County earlier this year.

Some residents in northeast Pasco County say they will lose scenic views if a solar farm is built off Blanton Road. (File)

Tampa Electric Company, known as TECO, is proposing to install about 464,000 photovoltaic solar panels on about 350 acres, on both sides of Blanton. The solar panels are expected to produce about 53 megawatts of power, which will be fed into TECO’s power grid.

Previously, the Mountain View Solar Project received approval from Pasco County Planning Commission for a special exception permit. However, a final decision from Pasco County commissioners is on hold after two appeals of that decision were filed in May.

The ordinance to be heard in Dade City, if approved, would codify the county’s future approach to permitting solar farms.

Currently, the land development code doesn’t specifically list where “solar electric power collection facilities” are permitted.  As a result, decisions regarding TECO’s proposal were based on a section dealing with uncertain classification rules.

The proposed ordinance would permit solar farms as special exceptions in agricultural zones, and permitted use in some commercial and industrial zones. Also, decisions on permitting would be left to county staff and the planning commission.

Pasco County commissioners wouldn’t directly vote on the permits, but would hear appeals.

At the May 22 hearing, about a dozen opponents spoke against the ordinance and the solar farm project, including two attorneys representing area homeowners.

Attorney Gordon Schiff represents Kathleen and Gordon Comer, who own a home and farm on property off Platt Road. Schiff filed the appeal of the planning commission’s decision on May 8, on behalf of the Comers.

Attorney Susan Johnson Velez represents a group of homeowners in northeast Pasco, including Sandra Noble. Noble filed an appeal of the planning commission’s decision, also on May 8.

Both attorneys raised objections to the county’s interpretation of sections of its land development code that were used to craft the proposed new ordinance.

Schiff said the county was treating solar farms as compatible with neighborhoods when they “are industrial in nature.”

TECO’s proposal should be held to tougher standards than the county is applying, he said.

The proposed facility “is not a substation, not commercial farming or agricultural activity. It’s a power plant,” said Schiff.

Johnson Velez said the county was ignoring its policies on protecting rural areas, including the natural views of rolling hills.

“I’m not sure how you protect scenic vistas from nearly half-a-million solar panels,” she said. “I think that should be addressed.”

Area residents also spoke in opposition. No one spoke in favor.

“Solar is a wonderful thing in the right place…but not in people’s backyards,” said Nancy Hazelwood.

If approved, the ordinance would apply countywide, not just in northeast Pasco, she said.

Some counties put solar farms in industrial areas, and others have created special districts for solar farms, she added.

Hazelwood asked that the county hire an outside consultant, not connected to the power industry, to study solar energy.

In the meantime, the ordinance would be put on hold, she said. “It’s too important to your citizens.”

Noah Kaaa, who lives on Platt Road, agreed.

What works in Hudson might not work in Trilby or Zephyrhills, he said.

“It’s too broad of a paintbrush to use across the entire county,” he said.

Denise Hernandez, the county’s zoning administrator, tried to address some of the resident’s concerns.

Research on other counties has been done, she said.

Hillsborough and Polk counties issue conditional use permits, and largely allow the decisions to be made at the staff level. Solar farms are allowed in agricultural zones in those counties, she said.

Applications for solar facilities would be handled on a case-by-case basis, said David Goldstein, Pasco’s chief assistant county attorney.

Because planning commission decisions can be appealed, he said, “Ultimately, the board of commissioners does have final say.”

Published May 30, 2018

Solar farm approval recommended

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Despite opposition from area residents, a proposed solar farm of Blanton Road in northeast Pasco County is a step closer to approval.

Pasco County’s Development Review Committee has recommended approval of an amended ordinance that opens the way for the project’s development.

Committee members agreed with the county’s planning department that the solar farm, located on agricultural land, would be consistent with Pasco’s land development code.

Pasco’s Planning Commission approved the project in April, in a 6-3 vote.

Tampa Electric operates a solar plant at Big Bend. The company is proposing to build a solar farm, on rural land, off Blanton Road, outside Dade City. (File)

The matter now goes before the Pasco County Commission for a public hearing in New Port Richey, set for May 22. The final vote on the issue is set for June 5 in Dade City.

Tampa Electric is proposing to install about 464,000 photovoltaic solar panels on about 350 acres, off Blanton Road and Frazee Hill.

The project is known as Mountain View Solar.

About a dozen people objected to the project during public comment at the development review committee’s May 10 hearing.

They cited the loss of scenic views in an area known for rolling hills and open spaces. They called for additional county study and workshops to give residents an opportunity for input regarding how and where solar farms should be approved.

County officials acknowledged that the code doesn’t specifically list where “solar electric power collection facilities” are permitted. Decisions were made based on a section dealing with uncertain classification rules.

As a result, solar farms were deemed suitable for agriculturally zoned areas, but they also need a special exemption permit. County officials said the approval process gives residents opportunities to raise objections and provide input on the project.

But, residents said the current process is insufficient.

“It’s almost a shotgun effect, instead of thinking and planning for it,” said resident Paul Boetcher.

Others agreed.

“This involves the whole county,” said resident Nancy Hazelwood. “It’s just not our area. How many solar farms are you going to put in each district? How are you going to control that?”

Resident Judy Geiger said the county seemed to be reacting, when there should be proactive measures.

“Hire a planner that knows solar,” she said. “Let’s do solar all at one time, instead of piecemeal.”

Electric company officials say, if approved, TECO plans to invest about $75 million in the solar farm, which is expected to produce about 53 megawatts of power.

Over the next decade, TECO plans to invest about $850 million in solar projects to produce energy for about 100,000 customers in Florida.

Revised May 17, 2018

Commissioners approve Connected City

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A champagne toast and tethered hot-air balloon rides heralded the groundbreaking for a 7-acre manmade Crystal Lagoon that — when finished — will be large enough for six football fields, end to end.

In the background, construction workers stirred dust and hammered nails into model homes for the first master-planned community in Epperson Ranch, along the Connected City corridor. The Crystal Lagoon is the splashy jewel at the center of Epperson.

Connected City, if successful, could become Pasco’s economic jewel.

Pasco County commissioners voted unanimously on Feb. 7 to approve the framework to establish the Connected City, as a state-approved 10-year pilot program to foster a technology-based “city of the future.”

Dignitaries picked up shovels and tossed dirt at a ceremonial groundbreaking for Crystal Lagoon, a 7-acre, manmade lagoon at Epperson Ranch.
(Courtesy of Cole Media Productions)

At its 50-year build out, the Connected City is expected to have more than 96,000 residents within multiple neighborhoods; 37,000 homes and apartments; as many as 7.2 million square feet of employment facilities; and, a role-model reputation for technology innovation.

But, for now, all eyes are on Epperson and the Crystal Lagoon in northeastern Pasco, at Curley and Overpass roads. The mammoth swimming pool, with clear blue, see-through waters, is a global phenomenon, with locations in Chile and Cabo San Lucas in Mexico. Pasco’s Crystal Lagoon will be the first in the nation.

“It’s like swimming in a bottle of Zephyrhills water,” said Greg Singleton, president of Metro Development Group. “It’s so incredibly clear.”

It took more than two years of planning, workshops and negotiations to reach the groundbreaking at Epperson on Feb. 2, followed by the Connected City vote nearly a week later.

“It was worth the time. I say congratulations to everybody,” said Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore. “I think we’ll see great things for our neighborhoods. All eyes are going to be upon us now. People will be coming to Pasco County, to follow suit.”

State lawmakers carved out about 7,800 acres in northeastern Pasco, in 2015, for a special development district. The boundaries are Interstate 75, State Road 52, and Curley and Overpass roads.

State law, and now county approval, set in motion a 10-year pilot program to encourage mixed-use development projects and master-planned communities built from the ground up with cutting edge technology.

“At the end of the day, I feel it’s the right thing for the county,” said Pasco County Commissioner Mike Wells. “It comes down to job creation for me.”

Still, the excitement level created by Connected City isn’t shared by everyone.

Resident Jennifer McCarthy has been a frequent critic of Connected City at prior meetings. She and her husband, Chris McCarthy, attended the final hearing on Feb. 2, but neither spoke during public comment.

They both remain worried about property rights of residents who have lived in the area for decades. Increased traffic is another issue, especially on Kenton Road where they live.

They also aren’t convinced that the area can become another technology-heavy Silicon Valley.

“This isn’t California,” said Jennifer McCarthy.

Resident Nancy Hazelwood worries about preserving the rural character of the area.

She objected when county commissioners voted to carve out a portion of the Villages of Pasadena Hills, and to add it into Connected City boundaries.

County commissioners said that made sense because the state-drawn boundaries overlapped into one of the Villages’ neighborhoods.

It was the third time, Hazelwood said, that the county gave up rural land to accommodate urban development.

“You keep taking things from what we were given at one time,” she said.

Change is coming.

Metro Development Group anticipates completion of the lagoon in 2017, with the opening of model homes in late 2017 or early 2018.

Metro Development Group is working in a public-private partnership with Pasco County on the initial development within Connected City. The development company controls about 35 percent of the targeted area.

A second community – known as Mirada – is planned by Metro Development Group, along with a second Crystal Lagoon of more than 10 acres.

In return for meeting more than 50 development criteria, the county is offering mobility fee credits and a faster-than-usual review process to Connected City projects.

Technology is the premier feature in what is expected to entice high-paying jobs to Pasco.

The vision is for the entire area to become a northern gateway into the Tampa Bay region, with links to commerce and education centers to the south, including the research-oriented University of South Florida.

“I am doing everything I can to hook them up with tech companies,” said Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey.

Published February 15, 2017

Zephyrhills bans fracking

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The City of Zephyrhills has banned fracking, a controversial practice of extracting oil or natural gas.

The Zephyrhills City Council voted unanimously to prohibit the use of land for hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, within the city’s limits.

In taking the action, the city is following the lead of other Florida municipalities.

The City of Zephyrhills banned fracking on Nov. 14. (File Photo)
The City of Zephyrhills banned fracking on Nov. 14.
(File Photo)

The council’s vote received an ovation from representatives of several environmental groups who were present at the Nov. 14 meeting.

Several Pasco County residents spoke in opposition to fracking, a process of pumping chemically treated high pressure water into a drilled pipeline to break through rock formations to tap into oil or natural gas reserves.

Janice Howie, conservation chairman for the Nature Coast Native Plant Society, called the Zephyrhills fracking ban “a really bold initiative.”

“I don’t think any good comes from fracking,” said Howie, “especially not here in Florida with our aquifer.”

“People in Florida don’t want fracking,” said Pat Carter, a Dade City resident and member of the Florida Federation of Garden Clubs.

“A big problem with fracking is what to do with that polluted water. There’s just no safe way to dispose if it,” Carter said.

The Zephyrhills ordinance says that fracking wastewater, or “flowback,” contains several known contaminants, including naturally occurring radioactivity, heavy metals, hydrocarbon and brine.

Fracking typically uses anywhere from 30,000 gallons to up to 13 million gallons for each drilling operation, the ordinance reads. It also notes that much of Florida’s water supply comes from aquifers in highly permeable limestone formations, which are “vulnerable” to hydraulic fracturing activities.

“I find the idea of fracking in any place in Florida to be alarming,” said Nancy Hazelwood, another Dade City resident. “We should not be doing anything that would possibly avenge our water resources that are so fragile as it is now, especially here in Zephyrhills. Why take the chance on anything that would endanger our water resources?”

Carl Waldron, of Dade City, added that fracking’s perceived economic benefits “isn’t worth the risk.”

Waldron added: “We have many basic needs, and one is clean, accessible water.”

The Dade City Commission unanimously passed an antifracking ordinance in August.

In other business, the council unanimously approved a first reading ordinance to impose a temporary moratorium on the opening of any new cannabis dispensing facilities. If passed on the second reading, the moratorium would expire Nov. 13, 2017.

Florida voters recently approved Amendment 2, which inserts language into the Florida Constitution allowing those with cancer, HIV/AIDS, epilepsy and a host of other conditions to use marijuana, if it is recommended by their doctor.

Zephyrhills’ city attorney Matthew Maggard said he advocated for the moratorium because marijuana laws are “changing so rapidly.” He added the city also needs time “to research the various land use and zoning requirements” related to the amendment.

“We can put an outright ban on it because it’s still federally illegal. I think it’s a good idea to just put a hold on this,” said Maggard.

City manager Steve Spina, agreed, saying: “We thought it was in the best interest to look into it, and then plan on how we think the dispensaries would fit into Zephyrhills.”

Published November 23, 2016

Rural protections in place for Northeast Pasco

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After more than a decade, a set of regulations laying out a plan to preserve the rural character of northeast Pasco County finally is in place.

The Pasco County Commission unanimously approved an ordinance to adopt development standards for the Northeast Pasco Rural Protection Overlay District on Aug. 9.

Nearly 50 area residents attended the public hearing on the ordinance. A handful spoke approvingly during public comment.

Pasco County Commissioner Ted Schrader voiced his approval of regulations to preserve the rural nature of northeast Pasco, and to guide future development there. (Photos courtesy of Richard K. Riley)
Pasco County Commissioner Ted Schrader voiced his approval of regulations to preserve the rural nature of northeast Pasco, and to guide future development there.
(Photos courtesy of Richard K. Riley)

“This is going to add something to Pasco County that I don’t think any other county in Florida has,” said Nancy Hazelwood. “This is going to be your jewel.”

County officials crafted the ordinance after holding numerous public meetings and getting input from area residents.

Not everyone embraced the ordinance.

Area resident and property owner George Dombrowski objected to the new rules as government overreach.

“I don’t think there is a need for the county to tell me what I can do with property I’ve owned for 10 years,” he said.

The ordinance puts into practice a rural preservation goal embedded into the county’s land use plan about 10 years ago.

It establishes a “northeast rural area” bordered by Bellamy Brothers Boulevard, the Green Swamp, State Road 52 and the Hernando County line.

Nancy Hazelwood encouraged Pasco County commissioners to approve an overlay district to preserve the rural character of northeast Pasco.
Nancy Hazelwood encouraged Pasco County commissioners to approve an overlay district to preserve the rural character of northeast Pasco.

The regulations govern residential development of three houses or more. They restrict mining operations or other developments that could lop off hillsides or impair vistas.

Portions of some roadways, including State Road 52, Bellamy Brothers Boulevard and Trilby Road, are designated as scenic. Development along those roadways must meet landscaping and buffering requirements.

Rural lighting standards also are established.

A second ordinance will deal with commercially zoned properties and designated employment centers, largely along U.S. 301. The highway isn’t on the list of scenic roadways and won’t be subjected to the scenic landscaping rules.

County commissioners urged county staff members to move quickly on crafting the commercial standards.

That could aid in economic recovery for the area, which was devastated by freezes that decades ago wiped out citrus crops, and cost upwards of 3,000 jobs, said Pasco County Commissioner Ted Schrader.

“This is clearly an area we need to work hard on to bring more job opportunities,” he said.

Published August 17, 2016

Keeping rural Pasco rural

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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