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Pasco County Commission

Pasco board looks to put pause on multifamily

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The Pasco County Commission is considering a temporary pause on multifamily development in the central part of the county.

The board has directed staff to prepare an ordinance that would prohibit new applications for multifamily to be considered in an area bounded by State Road 54/State Road 56 on the south; State Road 52 on the north; U.S. 41 (Land O’ Lakes Boulevard) on the west; and Bruce B. Downs Boulevard and on the east.

The moratorium would take effect beginning on the date of the first public hearing — which has not been determined yet.

This 262-unit apartment development is being built off State Road 54, at Oak Grove Boulevard. The Pasco County Commission is pursuing a temporary moratorium on new multifamily development in the central part of Pasco County, to give commissioners a chance to get a better handle on how much of this type of development is already entitled in existing zonings. (B.C. Manion)

The idea is to give county staff time to research the number of existing entitlements for multifamily development and to report back to the board. Once the board has that information, it can decide how to proceed.

Board members voted 3-2 to support pursuing the temporary moratorium.

Commissioners Mike Moore, Christina Fitzpatrick and Jack Mariano voted yes; Commissioner Kathryn Starkey and Commission Chairman Ron Oakley voted no.

The vote came after extensive discussion, including analysis of Pasco County’s Class A market demand provided by Lesley Deutch, managing principal with John Burns Real Estate Consulting.

Deutch, who appeared on behalf of land use attorneys Joel Tew and Barbara Wilhite, told commissioners that demand for Class A apartments in Pasco County is expected to grow by about 5,380 over the next five years. She characterized that projection as a “conservative” estimate.

Nectarios Pittos, the county’s planning director, provided a presentation that reviewed the county’s policies regarding multifamily development.

“The compact nature of development requires less infrastructure; it’s less land, and so you are making use of existing infrastructure as much as possible,” Pittos said.

Commissioner Starkey cautioned against becoming too restrictive regarding the development of multifamily housing.

“We need to have some workforce housing,” Starkey said. “I am really getting concerned that we don’t pay enough attention to this part of our society, and they need to be integrated into all of our communities.”

Commissioner Moore said his district is becoming too saturated with multifamily development.

He has repeatedly warned against the long-range potential of having large apartment complexes that become less competitive over time wind up with high vacancy rates and ultimately fall into disrepair.

Commissioner Fitzpatrick has similar concerns.

“What’s going to happen 30 years from now?” Fitzpatrick asked, expressing worries about the prospect for crime.

But, Starkey said multifamily is needed to address today’s demand.

She said young professionals aren’t buying; they want to rent.

Starkey also noted: “There is a rise in trend of apartment dwellers being higher-income brackets.”

Noting that Pasco is an attractive area, Deutch said, “there’s a lot of growth in Pasco. Unless you want it to stop, you  have to have housing.”

Like Starkey, Deutch said that renting has become a much more popular choice than it was in the past.

Chairman Oakley said Deutch’s report was informative.

“I don’t see we’re overrun with apartments,” Oakley said.

But, Moore persisted: “We continue to change zoning on parcels, when we already have the inventory to meet the demand.

“The parcels are there, ready to be developed tomorrow. These guys already have the entitlements,” Moore said.

“Did you look at all of the parcels that have the entitlements for the future, when you did your study?” Moore asked Deutch.

Deutch responded: “No, I did not. That wasn’t part of the study.”

Starkey noted that it can take decades for a property with an entitlement to actually be developed.

Attorney Tew raised this issue with the board: “I’m concerned that the commission will get into picking winners and losers in the marketplace. That is not what the government is supposed to do.”

He also told board members: “I think this is very treacherous ground and really uncharted territory for this commission.”

The prospect of a moratorium, according to Tew, “will be an immediate buzz kill to your potential employers.”

But, Moore cited a number of other places — such as Illinois, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Ohio, Texas and other jurisdictions in Florida — where moratoriums on multifamily are either in place, or are being considered.

Mariano, like Moore, thinks the county needs a better understanding of its current level of entitlements.

“I’m really scared that we don’t know what our supply could be, if everything was going to be built out,” Mariano said.

In another action relating to multifamily development, commissioners directed staff to prepare changes to the county’s land development code to remove the possibility of developing multifamily, as a conditional use, in a commercial zoning district.

The goal is to preserve commercial land for commercial uses, according to Fitzpatrick, who made a motion to pursue the change.

Moore seconded the motion, which was approved on a 4-1 vote, with Starkey dissenting.

Published February 24, 2021

Two Rivers will offer places to live, work, play

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Two Rivers — a community proposed to rise along State Road 56, between Morris Bridge Road and U.S. 301 — is making its way through necessary government approvals, to bring the community closer to reality.

The Pasco County Commission voted last week to transmit a request to state officials for their review. The request involves changing the text in the county’s comprehensive plan and amending the county’s highway vision map.

This land, along State Road 56, east of Morris Bridge Road, is now occupied by trees, ponds and open fields. But it is proposed to become the future community of Two Rivers — a place that will feature homes, businesses, recreational options and schools, under proposals going through Pasco County’s regulatory process. (B.C. Manion)

The state review is required before the county board can take final action on the request.

In addition to gaining approval of those changes, the developer also must secure a rezoning to create the proposed community.

The rezoning request is in process and is expected to come before the board within the next few months.

Once those regulatory hurdles are cleared, efforts can begin to bring the proposed 3,405-acre community to life.

Two Rivers is envisioned as a place that features a mixture of housing types, work opportunities, shopping, recreation and schools.

Details of the proposed project were outlined during a previous Pasco County Planning Commission meeting.

The project has been in planning stages — off and on — for more than 10 years, and there have been a number of ownership changes.

The current proposal calls for creating Two Rivers as a master-planned development, on the southern edge of Pasco County. The project would tie into a community that’s under the same ownership, which is just south of the Pasco-Hillsborough line.

County documents detail the proposed plan, which includes:

  • 246 acres of conservation area
  • 3,875 single-family homes
  • 1,400 multifamily homes
  • 1,125 age-restricted homes
  • 1.3 million square feet for a targeted industry
  • 630,000 square feet retail

Other elements include schools for elementary, middle and high students, on property that would be next to an 80-acre county park.

Two Rivers is expected to be a community that emphasizes walkability and includes an extensive trail system that provides connectivity within the community. Alternate modes of transportation, such as golf carts, also will be encouraged, to help residents get from place to place.

The proposed community also calls for numerous recreational amenities, including recreational complexes, multipurpose fields, ball diamonds, an aquatics center, playgrounds, a dog park, tennis and basketball courts, and open spaces.

Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore spoke in favor of the proposed project.

“I’m in support of this. In the future, this is going to be a really, really nice, very well-done, master-planned community. This is something that has really been on line for a long, long time,” Moore said.

And, while Moore has decried what he perceives as a proliferation of multifamily development, he said he doesn’t oppose including multifamily in Two Rivers.

“There are multifamily apartments in the future of this property, which I understand and am in support of because this is an area that does not have the oversaturation of the multifamily. It makes sense in a large master-planned community,” Moore said.

Commissioner Kathryn Starkey also spoke in favor of the proposal.

She also noted that she’ll be very interested in seeing the proposed trail network in the rezoning request for the master-planned community.

Commissioners unanimously approved the transmittal request.

Published February 17, 2021

Pasco board divided over proposed apartments

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A proposal that would allow 400 apartments off Wesley Chapel Boulevard, at Hay Road, is being sent to state officials for review.

A divided Pasco County Commission approved the transmittal to the state, on a 3-2 vote, with Commission Chairman Ron Oakley and Commissioners Kathryn Starkey and Christina Fitzpatrick voting in favor, and Commissioners Mike Moore and Jack Mariano voting against.

The state transmittal is just one step in the regulatory process needed to allow the proposed apartment project to proceed.

The site currently has a long-range plan designation of six dwelling units per acre and light industrial. Much of the land is occupied by wetlands and cannot be developed.

The proposed change would allow up to 24 dwellings per acre, but because of the wetlands, only about 13 dwellings per acre could be achieved, according to county planners.

County planners have recommended approval of the request, characterizing the request as “an appropriate transitional land use between the single-family residential development to the north and zoned multifamily district to the west.”

The Pasco County Planning Commission also recommended approval — despite objections from Planning Commissioners Peter Hanzel and Roberto Saez, who said the area is becoming oversaturated with apartments.

Commissioner Moore has repeatedly argued against rezonings that allow more apartments in the Wesley Chapel/Land O’ Lakes areas.

He predicts there will be a heavy price to pay in the future, when a glut of apartment buildings leads to high vacancy rates and buildings that fall into disrepair.

In recommending approval, county planners also noted that a proposed employment center use abuts the property, and that generally encourages higher densities to support that type of use.

Attorney Joel Tew, who represented the applicant, said the site has multiple property owners and the land has been assembled for this potential project.

Having multifamily adjacent to an employment center is consistent and supportive, Tew said.

“We submit this would be the poster child for the appropriate infill project,” Tew said.

Tew also noted that the wetlands on the site prohibit the possibility of future retail or office uses there.

In concurring with Moore, Mariano said: “I think we do have enough apartments out there. If they want to keep it residential, keep it smaller densities.

“Do I need more density right there? I don’t know that I do,” Mariano said.

A separate rezoning request is expected to come to the county board in the future.

Published February 17, 2021

Pasco County tourism decreased in 2020

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Tourism in Pasco County came back to earth in 2020 — following a record year the year before,  which saw the area surpass the million-visitor mark for its first time.

An informational presentation from Experience Florida’s Sports Coast — the county’s branded tourism arm — reveals some sobering facts and figures in a fiscal year impacted largely by the onset of the coronavirus pandemic.

Adam Thomas, director for Pasco County’s tourism brand, Experience Florida’s Sports Coast (File)

Pasco attracted 959,700 visitors in fiscal year 2020, down 7.6% from fiscal year 2019 when it drew 1,038,700 visitors, according to an analysis by Downs & St. Germain Research Inc., consultants to the county.

Other tourism economic impact indicators registered noticeable reductions across the board for the county when compared to the previous year:

  • Room nights generated — 1,069,849 (12.1% decrease)
  • Direct expenditures — $391,642,500 (15.3% decrease)
  • Total economic impact — $552,216,200 (15.3% decrease)
  • Jobs supported by tourism — 6,790 (13.7% decrease)
  • Wages paid by tourism — $149,461,500 (11.1% decrease)
  • Tourist Development Tax (bed tax) — $2,639,427 (13.2% decrease)
  • Taxes supported — $51,789,400 (14.8% decrease)

County tourism manager Adam Thomas shared these annual findings and other details during a Pasco County Commission meeting last month.

The 113-page visitor report shows that about one in four visitors to Pasco came to visit friends and family, while one in 10 visitors traveled to attend or participate in a sporting event.

The areas within the county attracting the most visitors were New Port Richey, Wesley Chapel, Port Richey and Lutz, according to the report.

Perceptions of Pasco based on coded, open-ended tourist responses generally found the area as a friendly and pleasant place, with tropical Florida weather, and lots to do.

In the way of visitor satisfaction, Pasco earned an 8.3 rating, out of a possible 10, as a place to visit or vacation in 2020, with 95% of respondents saying they plan to return to the county.

Pasco County’s tourism brand, Experience Florida’s Sports Coast, places an emphasis on its state-of-the-art athletics facilities and outdoor recreation opportunities. County visitation decreased 7.6% in 2020 from 2019, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

About 85% of all visitors drove to Pasco in 2020, while 11% flew in through Tampa International Airport.

Florida made up the bulk of the county’s visitation, with 51% of all visits, followed by the rest of the Southeast (16%), then Northeast (12%) and Midwest (12%) regions of the country. Six percent of visitors were international, while 3% came in from the West.

Relatedly, 60% of all the visitors to Pasco were from 10 states.

Besides a majority of Florida-based visitors, roughly 5% of tourists came in from Georgia and New York. Smaller subsets were from Michigan, Illinois, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Tennessee; top origin markets were Tampa Bay (29%), Orlando (6%), Atlanta (4%) and New York City (4%).

Another notable data point is that length of stays were shorter during the past year, according to the report.

A typical visitors length of stay in Pasco measured an average of 4.8 nights in 2020, down from 5.7 nights in 2019. The reduction is believed to be a result of the pandemic.

Despite reversing course in fiscal year 2020, Pasco’s tourism efforts have spearheaded in recent years, following a shift in philosophy to emphasize youth and amateur sports and recreation opportunities.

The Experience Florida’s Sports Coast branding efforts highlight the county’s growing list of modern athletics venues, including AdventHealth Center Ice, the Sarah Vande Berg Tennis & Wellness Center and the Wiregrass Sports Campus of Pasco County. Tourism efforts also showcase the county’s myriad outdoor activities that include golfing, saltwater fishing, skydiving and scalloping.

The county’s day-to-day tourism efforts are under the direction of Thomas, a former minor league baseball pitcher who led the Citrus County Visitor and Conventions Bureau before being hired to Pasco in September 2017.

Bullish on tourism future
Following the annual report presentation, county commissioners commended Thomas and his tourism staff for the work they’ve done of late, and expressed optimism of a rebound — figuring the depressed 2020 was a temporary setback and anomaly because of COVID-19.

Commissioner Mike Moore, who chairs the Pasco County Tourist Development Council, highlighted how the tourism agency achieved national recognition throughout the past year.

Pasco County’s 10-day bay scallop season in July could help boost tourism efforts in 2021.

Experience Florida’s Sports Coast won three Telly Awards, including gold, for its scalloping promotional video. The Telly Awards is recognized as the premier award honoring video and television across all screens. It received over 12,000 entries from all 50 states.

The tourism department also claimed two silver Flagler Awards in 2020 for its website design and meeting planner guide. The Flagler Awards serves to recognize outstanding tourism marketing in Florida.

Continuing on the positives, Moore pointed out bed tax collections actually increased in September 2020 compared to September 2019, despite the pandemic.

Moore gave Thomas kudos for “amazing, amazing work,” to lock in enough amateur and recreational sporting events to make that happen.

Others on the dais also voiced strong approval for Thomas and his tourism staff’s varied efforts.

“I don’t remember what it was like before, but since you’ve been here, it’s really been booming, even with COVID,” Commission Chairman Ron Oakley said of Thomas. “It’s a great team.”

Commissioner Jack Mariano noted Thomas was hired at an ideal time for the county almost four years ago, as projects like AdventHealth Center Ice and the Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus of Pasco County were on the ramp-up.

Mariano also noted more tourism options on the county’s west side are taking shape, with seawall plans for Hudson Beach and improvements to SunWest Park — the latter of which could pave the way for some major sand volleyball and wakeboarding events in the future. “It’s going to be real exciting times coming forward,” Mariano said.

Commission Vice Chair Kathryn Starkey, too, acknowledged the staff of eight at Experience Florida’s Sports Coast has done a solid job.

As for what more can be done to make the county an attractive tourism destination, however,  Starkey turned to the county’s current slate of nature and parks offerings.

She referenced a point in the report’s visitor surveys that indicated those features generally fell below expectations. Moreover, about 43% of polled visitors desired more outdoor activities, despite the county boasting over 24 miles of coastline to the west, hilly terrain to the east, and more than 100,000 acres of wilderness to explore in between.

Upgrades in these arenas should be on the way, Starkey noted, thanks to a recently approved bond issue. “We haven’t had the money to make all of our parks as premier as we’d like them to be, but it’s coming,” she said.

Published February 17, 2021

Pasco to update its facilities master plan

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The Pasco County Commission has approved an agreement with Furr, Wegman & Banks P.A., for a facilities master plan update.

The facilities master plan was completed in March of 2015, and this task calls for completing the work necessary to update it.

The agreement specifies that the task must be performed for an amount not to exceed $336,720, according to background materials in the agenda for the Feb. 9 board meeting.

The facilities master plan is expected to be completed within 248 days of the county’s notice to proceed, unless an extension is approved.

In other action, the commission:

  • Approved a change order with Williamson Dacar Associates Inc., to extend the completion date of Feb. 9, 2021, for the Hugh Embry Library Renovations by 365 days. No funding was required for this action. The time extension will allow for completion of professional services, including construction administration and closeout.
  • Approved a change order with Moss & Associates LLC for the addition of two Design Assist Contractors (DACs) for the jail facility expansion and visitation building detention equipment and security electronics during the pre-construction phase. The amount of the change order is for an amount not to exceed $120,487, for a new cumulative not-to-exceed amount of $591,689 in fiscal year 2021.
  • Accepted a grant from the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida Inc., to expand archery supplies for reimbursement in the amount of $4,578 and to authorize the director of the Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources, or his designee, to execute the grant agreement. The grant will be used to increase the county’s inventory of bows, arrows and targets; thus making archery education more available at passive parks, such as Starkey and Crews Lake Wilderness Parks and Withlacoochee River Park.
  • Approved the purchase of new carpeting in the Robert D. Sumner Judicial Center, in the amount of $57,991.72. The purchase, being made through a state contract, is to replace carpet that is frayed and worn, and has reached the end of its useful life. New carpeting is required to maintain a safe and clean environment, according to agenda background materials.
  • Approve and accept the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) 5310 Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Grant funding, through the Florida Department of Transportation, to purchase one vehicle. The grant is specific to Pasco County Public Transportation. Funding for the vehicle Is 80% federal, 10% state and 10% local. The total amount of the award is $90,000, which includes $9,000 match from the state and $9,000 match by the county. If the vehicle exceeds the total cost, the county must make up the difference.
  • Approved a recommendation to approve shortlist firms for roadway design services for design services for the Old Pasco Road widening, from north of Deedra Drive to North of Overpass Road. These are the shortlisted firms, in order: HDR Engineering Inc.; American Consulting Engineers of Florida; WGI Inc.; DRMP Inc.; Madrid Engineering Group Inc.; Johnson Engineering Inc., and Florida Transportation Engineering. The board also authorized negotiations with the top-ranked firm, HDR, to secure a design agreement for the project.

If an agreement cannot be reached with HDR, the board also authorized negotiations could be conducted with the remainder of the firms, in ranked order. An agreement is expected to be brought to the county board for approval within three months.

Commissioners also heard an update from County Administrator Dan Biles, who said the county has signed an agreement that will provide reimbursement to the county for the construction of the interchange at the Suncoast Parkway and Ridge Road.

The county and the Florida Department of Transportation collaborated extensively to execute the funding agreement, in the amount of $20 million. The plan is to deliver the next phase of the Ridge Road extension — opening two lanes between Town Center Road and the Suncoast Parkway this summer.

Published February 17, 2021

Dade City to permit alcohol sales on Sunday mornings

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The phrase, “Bottoms Up!” may begin a bit sooner on Sundays in Dade City.

Consumers in Dade City will soon be able to purchase alcoholic beverages on early Sunday mornings  — if an amended citywide ordinance is approved on a second and final reading.

Under the proposed change, Dade City businesses with liquor licenses would be permitted to start selling alcohol at 7 a.m., on Sundays — four hours earlier than currently allowed.

The City of Dade City is set to permit alcohol sales at 7 a.m., on Sundays, earlier than the 11 a.m., blue law restriction that remains in place.

If adopted, the measure would create uniform alcohol sales hours all seven days of the week in Dade City — from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m., the following morning.

The proposal to change the alcohol sales hours passed on a 4-1 vote, with Commissioner Scott Black dissenting.

A second and final reading is expected on Feb. 23.

The ordinance mirrors a recent ruling enacted by the Pasco County Commission, which voted unanimously in November 2020 to change the county’s “blue law,” which had outlawed alcohol sales before 11 a.m., on Sundays.

A blue law generally refers to a state or local law that restricts certain commercial activities on Sunday for religious reasons, in order to observe a day of worship, or rest.

Other nearby municipalities also have repealed their respective blue laws in recent years, including the cities of Tampa, Lakeland and St. Petersburg. The City of Zephyrhills repealed the restriction on early Sunday morning alcohol sales more than a decade ago.

The call for the change in Dade City came at the behest of multiple Dade City establishments as a way to remain competitive, and as a way to avoid confusion for patrons.

In addition to retail packaged alcohol sales at local grocery or liquor stores as early as 7 a.m. Sunday, the ruling also would allow restauranteurs’ wish to sell alcoholic beverages on Sunday mornings, such as mimosas, Bloody Mary’s and so on.

Dade City Mayor Camille Hernandez spoke in favor of relaxing the ordinance, reasoning that it is a “business friendly” measure intended to create “a level playing field” with the rest of the county.

Hernandez said the issue seemingly came to a head during Super Bowl Sunday, when many local shoppers — who were preparing for Game Day festivities — were informed it was too early to purchase alcohol at various grocery stores and other establishments within city limits.

“It’s not so much about drinking a mimosa at certain hours of the day, but having the opportunity to come into a grocery store or other establishment and being a convenience item to be able to do that one-stop shop,” the mayor said.

She also noted that if those shoppers ventured to Wesley Chapel or slightly outside limits, they’d have been able to make those one-stop shop alcohol purchases, which therefore discourages commerce in Dade City.

“People don’t want to go elsewhere,” Hernandez said, but, “if they’re not going to get it here, they’re going to go support other businesses that are outside of the Dade City limits.”

Hernandez also pointed to the city’s reputation as a fun place to shop and dine.

And, that’s likely to get a boost once a new downtown events and entertainment venue called The Block opens up on Seventh Street later on this year.

“We are trying to support businesses in our community and trying to help them with what they need to continue to survive and flourish in our area,” Hernandez said.

The mayor also noted that the Dade City Police Department has not expressed opposition or raised any “red flags” regarding passage of the proposed change.

Published February 17, 2021

Bell Lake Road detour planned in March

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A portion of Bell Lake Road will be closed from Lake Padgett Drive to Peninsular Drive for eight days in mid-March, to allow safety work to be completed on the road.

The road closure in Land O’ Lakes is scheduled to commence at 5 p.m., on March 13 and will continue until 7 a.m., on March 22.

Kamminga & Roodvoets Inc., requested the detour, in order to complete the project. The Pasco County Commission approved the detour request at its Feb. 9 board meeting.

During the closure, those west of the portion that is closed, can take Bell Lake Road west to U.S. 41. At U.S. 41, they can head north traveling toward Hale Road, or south, traveling toward State Road 54.

Those east of the closure, can travel east on Bell Lake Road to Collier Parkway. At Collier Parkway, they can head north to Hale Road, where they can head west on Hale Road to get to U.S. 41.

Or, they can head east on Bell Lake Road to Collier Parkway, and then go south on Collier Park to get to State Road 54.

The project that is being completed consists of extensive infrastructure and safety improvements – including road reconstruction, stormwater modifications, curb and sidewalk – along Bell Lake Road, from east of U.S. 41 to Banjo Lake Road.

The current open ditch stormwater system will be converted to a closed, piped system.

This improvement allows room for sidewalks and reduces drop-off hazard related to the current ditches.

The new roadway will include one 12-foot lane in each direction, curb and gutter, and a 6-foot sidewalk on the north side of Bell Lake Road.

The speed limit is 30 mph.

For additional information, call Matt Kodsi, project manager, at 727-834-3604, or call Pasco County Traffic Operations at 727-847-8139.

Published February 17, 2021

New light industrial, commercial approved

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A rezoning has been approved on approximately 90 acres to clear the way for light industrial and commercial development, near the northeast corner of the intersection of Interstate 75 and Blanton Road.

The Pasco County Commission unanimously approved changing the zoning on the land from agricultural, agricultural resident and general commercial to general commercial and light industrial.

The applicant proposes to develop the southern 14.66-acre portion of the property in conformance with general commercial standards and the northern 74.41-acre

portion of the property in conformance with the light industrial park standards.

The applicant has volunteered to record these deed restrictions:

  • Commercial uses in the general commercial district shall not exceed 140,000 square feet
  • Multi-family apartments are prohibited
  • No auto towing services are allowed, or the connected storage of vehicles
  • No yard trash disposal facilities are allowed
  • No construction and demolition debris disposal facilities are allowed
  • Truck stops shall be prohibited

On the light industrial portion of the property, restrictions include:

  • Light industrial uses are capped at 500,000 square feet
  • No yard trash disposal facilities are allowed
  • No construction and demolition debris disposal facilities are allowed

Some conditions also spell out how the property should be developed.

For instance:

  • The architectural design of building facades facing I-75 shall include windows at ground level and/or at clerestory and shall not include overhead doors.
  • Outside storage of any materials, supplies, or products shall not be permitted in the front of any structure
  • When outside storage is exposed to I-75, these areas shall be screened to a height at least 1-foot higher than the highest material being screened
  • Loading docks, utility meters, HVAC equipment, trash dumpsters, trash compaction, and other service functions shall be incorporated into the overall design of the primary building using screening walls of compatible material, style and color.

Edward Dutkiewicz, appearing for Cynthia Dutkiewicz of 32710 Blueberry Hill Way in Dade City, outlined seven reasons why the rezoning should be denied.

Attorney Barbara Wilhite, representing the applicant, said Dutkiewicz’s objections were a misapplication of language from the county’s comprehensive land use plan.

She also pointed out the rezoning prohibits multifamily development.

“We thought the better use of the property was to have no residential, to maximize the use of the property for the employment-generating uses,” Wilhite said.

Commissioner Mike Moore spoke in favor of the rezoning.

“We talk about wanting and needing more industrial for the county. Unfortunately, we’re actually losing many industrial sites, where people are rezoning from industrial sites to something that’s not a job-creating site. And this is right on Interstate 75, which is obviously the access you want for tractor-trailer trucks,” Moore said. “This is exactly what you want to do at an interstate interchange.”

Commissioner Kathryn Starkey agreed with Moore’s assessment — calling the proposed site a great location for that type of use.

Published February 17, 2021

Pasco Animal Services to get cooling, heating upgrade

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The Pasco County Commission is moving ahead with a project to upgrade the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system at its Animal Services’ Adoption Center.

Commissioners approved a staff recommendation to proceed with a project design, and build a heating, ventilation and air conditioning upgrade for the Adoption Center, for a cost not to exceed $506,190. The agreement calls for utilizing Omnia Partners, with Daikin Applied Americas Inc.

The Adoption Center consumes more energy per square foot than any other county building, according to the board’s Jan. 26 agenda background materials.

The building currently averages an annual electric bill over $160,000 per year, the agenda materials say, and the installation of three new energy-saving HVAC units would save approximately $90,000 annually.

Using Omnia would allow for standardization with current systems already installed throughout the county, the agenda materials said.

In other action, commissioners allocated $40,000 to help pay for amenities at the intersection of the Starkey and Suncoast trails.

The primary source of support for the project is a $160,000 grant from a Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) recreational trail program grant. Pasco County also set aside an additional $10,000, for possible cost overruns.

The money will be used to add a restroom with a composting toilet, an ADA hard-surface access trail, a well/water fountain, a bike repair station, a solar charging station, a bike rack, a wayfinding locator, and a kiosk with trail use/trail safety educational literature.

In another action, commissioners approved the purchase of 1.09 wetlands mitigation credits in the amount of $131,100 from North Tampa Mitigation LLC.

The credits are needed to offset additional wetlands impacts for the Wesley Chapel Boulevard (County Road 54) widening project, from north of State Road 56 to north of Magnolia Boulevard, according to the agenda backup.

As part of finalizing the design plans for the C.R. 54 (Wesley Chapel Boulevard) widening project

from north of S.R. 56 to north of Magnolia Boulevard, two stormwater management facilities located at the south end of the project needed to be reconfigured and relocated. In addition, a right-turn lane was added on northbound Wesley Chapel Boulevard, 54 at Compark Drive to replace the existing right-turn lane.

These design changes resulted in additional wetland impacts, which need to be mitigated in order for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to approve the county’s permit modification application.

On another issue, commissioners approved a resolution requesting the Pasco County Legislative Delegation to sponsor and support a local bill that would support a Net Metering Program in Pasco County.

At the end of 2024, Pasco County’s energy contract with Duke Energy (Duke) will expire. Presently the sale of renewable electricity supplied by the Waste To Energy (WTE) Facility accounts for approximately 40% of the solid waste department’s enterprise fund’s annual revenue, according to a county documents contained in the board’s agenda materials.

Under Duke’s currently available standard offer contract, the county’s annual electrical revenue would decrease by over $22 million, the document says.

If the proposed local bill is adopted, Pasco County would be able to realize fair market value for the renewable electrical energy that it is already generating.

Published February 10, 2021

Offices may go up near Cypress Creek Town Center

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The Pasco County Planning Commission has recommended approval of a change to the county’s comprehensive plan that would allow consideration for office use on a site with 9.1 developable acres, west of Wesley Chapel Boulevard and south of Hyde Park Boulevard.

The site currently is designated for residential and conservation uses on the county’s long-range plan.

County planners recommended approval of the change, and no one spoke against the request at the Planning Commission’s Feb. 4 meeting.

The new designation would allow consideration for an office development of approximately 67,000 square feet. A rezoning also would be needed, and is being pursued.

In agenda background materials, county planners say the request is consistent with policies in the county’s long-range plan because the development would be located along State Road 54, which is an arterial roadway.

Planners also note the proposed office would serve as effective transitional use.

“Due to the existing topography and wetland features, the development will efficiently buffer

the office development from surrounding residential land uses and will not impact any wetlands on the property,” the agenda materials note.

“The proposed development abuts existing residential and commercial uses within Cypress Creek Town Center MPUD (master-planned unit development) and will be constructed as one-story office buildings. The proposed amendment will provide the surrounding community with additional employment-generating uses further supporting the intent of Pasco County’s Urban Service Area by creating a live, work, play environment to attract high quality development,” planners add, in their support of the request.

The applicant and approved agent for the request is Waterford Construction and Development Inc.

The Pasco County Commission has final jurisdiction on requested changes to the county’s comprehensive plan.

Published February 10, 2021