The Laker/Lutz News

Dan Callaghan

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

Ridge Road extension is a step closer

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Pasco County is placing a future order to buy wetlands adjacent to the Connerton Preserve to offset wetlands that would be lost due to construction of the Ridge Road extension.

The Pasco County Commission approved a wetlands credit purchase agreement with Ecosystem Investment Partners Credit Co., for up to $4.4 million at its March 27 meeting in New Port Richey.

The item, part of the commission’s consent agenda, was approved with no discussion.

Richard Stauffer studied a map at the Serenova Tract at the Starkey Wilderness Preserve prior to a rally and nature walk by opponents of the Ridge Road extension in February. (File)

The total purchase price would be split between Pasco County and the Florida Turnpike Enterprise, which also needs wetlands credits for the project.

The county’s share would be about $3.2 million. The state road agency would reimburse for the remainder.

The agreement locks in a purchase price and ensures the credits will be available if, and when, the United States Army Corps of Engineers issues a permit.

The county has sought approval for the road project for nearly two decades. A decision from the Army Corps is anticipated in coming months.

The proposed project is for an 8-mile extension of Ridge Road which now dead-ends at Moon Lake Road.

The new road would link Moon Lake in west Pasco to U.S. 41 in Land O’ Lakes, across from an entrance into the master-planned community of Connerton.

The county puts a high priority on the Ridge Road extension as an evacuation route during hurricane evacuations.

But, environmental activists oppose the road extension, which would cut through a portion of the Serenova Preserve.

Community activist Dan Callaghan called the project the “zombie highway to nowhere” during public comment portion of the March 27 meeting.

Callaghan is a member of the Save Serenova Coalition. The Sierra Club is among 30 area groups included in the coalition.

Attorneys for the Sierra Club have submitted documentation to the Corps of Engineers opposing the Ridge Road extension.

Opponents maintain that the county isn’t being transparent on the final costs of the road work, which they contend could reach $150 million.

“Who will be the first to say enough to this boondoggle?” Callaghan said.

County officials have disputed the coalition’s data on the construction costs.

The wetlands credits would come from the Old Florida Mitigation Bank, located south of State Road 52 and east of U.S. 41, adjacent to the Connerton Preserve.

According to county documents, a construction start is scheduled for winter 2018, and a completion by winter 2021.

Construction would be in two phases, with the first phase from Moon Lake to the east side of Suncoast Parkway. The cost is estimated at $77 million, according to county documents.

Published April 4, 2018

Rallying to protect the environment

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Opponents of the Ridge Road extension are digging in for a battle with Pasco, and if need be, the United States Army Corps of Engineers, over a road that would cut through a portion of the Serenova Preserve.

About 75 people showed up in hiking clothes on Feb. 16, to walk trails at the Serenova Tract, at Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park.

Richard Stauffer, of Aripeka, studied the trail map of the Serenova Tract. He is a regular visitor to the park and a member of the Florida Native Plant Society. He joined a large group of people on Feb. 16 for a walking tour at the Serenova Tract and a rally against the proposed extension of Ridge Road. (Fred Bellet)

It was a Facebook-promoted rally to bring attention to natural habitats that they fear will be lost if Ridge Road is built.

“Our concern is fragmentation of habitat and how much the county will pay for the road. It’s a Pandora’s box,” said Josh McCart, a member of the Sierra Club. He also helped organize the rally, sponsored by Save the Serenova Coalition. More than 30 area groups belong to the coalition, including the Sierra Club.

Coalition member Dan Callaghan was heartened by the turnout. He hopes it will be an inspiration to others to get involved.

As he watches development gobble up large tracts of land in Pasco, Callaghan worries that conservation lands, and wildlife habitats, will be lost.

“That’s the direction we’re heading in, if we don’t stop this. Serenova is a test,” he said. “If we don’t stop it here, Pasco is gone.”

The fight over this road began nearly 20 years ago.

Pasco County officials hope for a resolution, and a work permit from the Army Corps, by the end of this year.

Josh McCart, front right, of New Port Richey, helped organize a walking tour at the Serenova Tract. McCart, a member of the Save the Serenova Coalition, said he posted information on Facebook and was overwhelmed by the large turnout.

The proposed project is for an 8-mile extension of Ridge Road, which now dead-ends at Moon Lake Road. The new road would link Moon Lake in west Pasco to U.S. 41 in Land O’ Lakes, across from an entrance into the master-planned community of Connerton.

The road is a county priority that would serve as a new east-west evacuation route during hurricanes.

Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Wells Jr. said, via email, that the new route would significantly reduce evacuation times for about 180,000 people who live within that evacuation zone.

“The road would also provide relief to people currently using (State Road) 52 and (State Road) 54,” Wells noted.

The county has set aside about $40 million toward an estimated $68 million for construction of the first segment from Moon Lake to the east side of the Suncoast Parkway exchange. An additional $2.5 million is allocated for right-of-way purchases.

No funds are available, as yet, for the second phase of construction, which would take the road to U.S. 41. That phase isn’t expected to be built until development occurs on land along that portion of the route.

The funding of Ridge Road is a sticking point for opponents, who say the county isn’t being transparent on the costs. They peg total costs as high as $150 million.

They also object to the monthly fee of about $28,500 paid to Washington D.C. consultants, with Dawson & Associates, to lobby for the road’s work permit.

Dan Rametta is an opponent of the Ridge Road extension through the Serenova Preserve. He has worked against the project for 20 years.

The project gained new momentum in 2017, as the Trump administration issued an executive order meant to speed up permits for infrastructure projects. Gov. Rick Scott and U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis also sent letters of support.

No decision has been made, but Pasco County Administrator Dan Biles said, “We still expect it later this year.”

Attorneys for the Sierra Club recently submitted an 80-page document contesting the project.

“They sell it as a done deal,” said McCart. “It’s not a done deal. There are a lot of costs associated to this road. The (Pasco County) commissioners are not telling us the true costs.”

The money is what bothers New Port Richey resident Barbara Sullo, who was at the rally. The county needs to fix its flooding problems, which are especially chronic in west Pasco, she said.

“They say they don’t have money to fix the roads, and yet, they spend millions on the Ridge Road extension,” Sullo said. “I don’t think people realize it’s our money.”

County data, per Wells’ email, shows that the per capita costs for the 180,000 residents within the evacuation zone, and within 2 miles of Ridge Road, would be about $400 per person.

“That doesn’t seem like too much to ensure the safety of our residents facing hurricane evacuations,” Wells said, in his email.

In April, the Corps chose one of 17 proposed routes through the Serenova Preserve as “the least environmentally damaging practicable alternative.” Additional review is being done.

The focus is on land that was set aside in a court settlement to mitigate about 200 acres of wetlands lost during construction of the Suncoast Parkway.

The Army Corps has regulatory authority under the Clean Water Act.

Save the Serenova coalition member Dan Rametta said the settlement is being circumvented.

“How does a four-lane road keep it in its natural state?” he said. He points to the Ridge Road connection that will link with Connerton, and also will cut through a portion of the Bexley Ranch property.

“It’s basically a developer’s road,” Rametta said.

County officials said wetlands lost due to the road project will be mitigated through preservation of other lands. About 2.3 acres of wetlands will be impacted, but about 82 percent of wetland impacts have been reduced, they said.

And, bridges already built, and parts of the proposed road, are elevated above the conservation land.

“You can’t say we haven’t worked through the process to reduce the impact,” Biles said.

Save the Serenova coalition members said there will inevitably be environmental losses.

“Every time you divide a large parcel up, you diminish the land, the plants, birds, everything,” said Aripeka resident Richard Stauffer.

He is a member of the Florida Native Plant Society, which belongs to the coalition. There are concerns among its members about a federally protected plant – the pond spice.

Some plants were found in Serenova, though so far not within the proposed construction area, Stauffer said, adding that more research should be done.

Sharon Holding, also is a member of the native plant society. She handed out fliers and helped with the walking tour.

“Certainly, it will impact people out here,” she said. “We need these places as reprieve from the busyness of our lives.”

Pasco also needs conservation land for ecotourism. “I’d like to see us promote that” Holding said. “We can’t stop people from moving to Pasco. We can plan our developments a lot smarter.”

Rametta said the movement to block Ridge Road is getting stronger.

“Commissioners need to pay attention,” he said. “There are voters here. There are consequences.”

Published February 28, 2018

Charter committee faces crucial vote

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A panel that was appointed to examine whether Pasco County needs a new structure could be headed toward a conclusion, if panel members decide to reject a charter-style government.

On the other hand, a favorable decision would mean the panel has more work to do to craft the details of how that charter government would operate.

A vote is tentatively set for Aug. 10, on the same day the county’s legislative delegation is expected to weigh in on the topic.

Ted Schrader said he doesn’t think Pasco County needs to adopt term limits for commissioners. ‘We have term limits. It’s called elections.’ (File Photo)
Ted Schrader said he doesn’t think Pasco County needs to adopt term limits for commissioners. ‘We have term limits. It’s called elections.’
(File Photo)

The charter process began two months ago in response to a request in January from State Rep. Richard Corcoran, who supports adoption of a charter.

“It’s a pretty important topic you all are jumping into,” Pasco County Chairman Ted Schrader said, at the panel’s July 13 meeting in New Port Richey.

Schrader, and Pasco County commissioners Kathryn Starkey and Michael Moore, were invited to the charter panel’s meeting to discuss issues related to the Pasco County Commission’s duties and functions.

But panel members largely zoned in on term limits, single-member districts, and whether to have an elected administrator or mayor.

Pasco County currently is governed under home rule with five districts, each with a representative elected by countywide vote.

Moore and Starkey supported term limits ranging from 12 years to 16 years.

Starkey said commissioners need that much time to develop institutional knowledge and a thorough understanding of how government functions.

But she said, “I don’t think anyone should be in office for 50 years.”

Schrader took a different view.

“We have term limits. It’s called elections,” he said.

Commissioners generally agreed that despite Pasco’s growth spurt, there aren’t enough residents to justify a shift from countywide voting to single-member districts.

That might change in five to 10 years, but for now Starkey said,

“I feel more powerful as a voter, voting for all five.”

Weighing the pros and cons, Schrader said the advantage would be in creating the potential for a minority candidate to be elected.

“But other than that, I don’t see any real benefit from single-member districts,” he said.

Moore said the idea is worth a look.

“I don’t have a problem with single-member districts,” he said. “I think a minority district is worth investigating,” he added.

However, increasing from five to seven commissioners wouldn’t make sense now based on Pasco’s population. “We’re not there yet,” he said.

On electing an administrator, Starkey is no fan.

“It shouldn’t be a political job,” she said.

Schrader also is adamantly opposed to what he described as a “hot button issue.”

He said making it elective would invite outside financing from people “who never set foot in Pasco.”

Moore was less committal. “There’s many ways to look at this,” he said.

Commissioners appointed the 15-member charter panel in May. Members can choose to adopt a charter or not.

In contrast, state law requires that a charter commission, once formed, must produce a charter. Pasco County commissioners would not be able to amend the charter document, and voters have the final say on adoption.

Corcoran favored the commission rather than the nonbinding panel. An activist group, the Pasco County Citizens Charter Coalition, is partnering with the lawmaker in a petition campaign to secure a required 45,000 signatures needed to establish such a commission.

“I think they’ve put a great weight on you, and it’s going to take some courage,” said Dan Callaghan of the charter coalition group. He spoke to the panel during public comment.

Pasco County commissioners initially said they created a panel to have more control over the outcome. But, they also have said that they will accept whatever choice the panel makes. If a charter were chosen, then the matter would be on the ballot in November 2016.

“We’re not making any changes. We all agreed to it,” Moore said. “Whatever comes to us, we’ll abide by it.”

Published July 22, 2015