The Laker/Lutz News

Homes by WestBay

Help Bexley Celebrate Its 3rd Birthday!

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Milestones are worth celebrating. In November, Bexley by Newland rings in being a part of the Pasco Community for the past three years!

A lot has happened in that short period of time. Not only has Bexley earned accolades from Real Estate advising group, RCLCO, has the top-selling community in Tampa Bay and one of the top 50 in the U.S., it also has been honored with a host of national and regional awards.

As Bexley has grown up, it has become a vibrant, planned community. Families don’t have to travel very far to enjoy Bexley’s outstanding amenities, which include resort-style pools, parks, fitness center, café, bike shop, BMX track, and miles of multi-purpose trails.

Residents often share that what makes Bexley so unique is the close-knit, family feel they just haven’t experienced elsewhere.

“Bexley is growing into the community we envisioned,” said Pam Parisi, vice president of marketing for Newland. “It’s truly a special place and offers something for everyone, especially those who are looking for an active, outdoor lifestyle, and greater connections with each other. It’s a wonderful community to be a part of, whether you’re a family with kids, buying your first home, or looking to downsize.”

Outstanding Schools
Bexley Elementary School opened within the community in the Fall of 2017 on 18 acres donated by Newland.

The schools zoned for Bexley residents — Bexley Elementary, Rushe Middle School and Sunlake High School — are all A-rated by the State of Florida. Imagine School at Land O’ Lakes, a charter school just minutes from Bexley, also has earned top marks.

Top-Notch New Builders
This year, Bexley added two new partners to its outstanding list of homebuilders. Arthur Rutenberg Homes and Pulte Homes join Cardel Homes, David Weekley Homes, Homes by WestBay, and Lennar in offering a wide variety of single-family and luxury homes in the community.

Custom homebuilder Arthur Rutenberg recently opened its Avalon model home at Bexley. Rutenberg homebuyers can choose from 19 different floor plans that were created just for the community. Pulte, one of the nation’s largest homebuilders, offers three flexible home designs located near Bexley Elementary. Pulte’s homes allow for personalization and feature the company’s 10-year protection plan warranty.

A New Vision for a 55+ Community
Pulte is no stranger to Bexley. Last year, the company opened its Del Webb at Bexley 55+ active adult neighborhood near the intersection of Sunlake Boulevard and Tower Road. Pre-sales for the community’s second phase of low-maintenance homes are expected very soon, with its sales center already open. Del Webb at Bexley’s expansive 17,000-square-foot clubhouse is on track to open in early 2020.

Nearby Community Comforts
Bexley residents enjoy all the comforts they need in a growing town. The community has attracted nearby conveniences, such as the AdventHealth Emergency Department, a SpringHill Suites hotel, and a RaceTrac gas station and convenience store. Additional dining and retail areas are also in the works.

In three short years, Bexley has earned many honors, but the best acclaim is from the hundreds of families who now call Bexley home, and are busy making memories that they will cherish for a lifetime.

Published October 30, 2019

Bexley Wins Big at Parade of Homes

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Bexley and four of its outstanding builders were big winners at last month’s 2019 Parade of Homes. The annual event is sponsored by the Tampa Bay Builders Association.

In all, builders at Bexley earned three Grand Awards and three Silver Awards for model homes, along with two Best in Class Awards. The community’s model homes were the winningest of any other community competing in this year’s Parade.

Model homes throughout Bexley were judged by a panel of industry experts. Bexley also had the honor of being the Parade’s featured Showcase Community.

Parade of Homes award winners at Bexley include the elegant Savannah model by Cardel Homes and the Bayshore II model from Homes by WestBay, with its beautiful outdoor living area shown here.

Pulte Homes’ Summerwood in the Del Webb at Bexley 55-plus community earned a Grand Award in the $350,000 – $399,000 price range category. In the $600,000 – $649,000 price range, the Bayshore II model from Homes by WestBay also earned Grand Award honors.

Cardel Homes’ Savannah and Henley took home both the Grand Award and Silver Award in the $750,000 – $799,000 price category.

Homes by WestBay’s Cypress Model received a Silver Award in the $400,000 – $449,000 price category while David Weekley’s Tangelo also earned a Silver Award in the $550,000 – $599,000 category.

Best in Class honors went to Cardel Homes for its Master Suite and Bath in the Savannah model. The single-story floor plan features four bedrooms, three baths, a three-car garage and more than 3,300 square-feet of living space in a single-story design.

Homes by WestBay also earned a Best in Class Award in Outdoor Living for its Bayshore II model.

“We’re honored to have several of our outstanding builders recognized,” said Pam Parisi, vice president of marketing for Newland. “This year’s Parade of Homes also recognized Bexley as its Showcase Community. It was wonderful to host so many prospective homebuyers during the event because it offered them the chance to experience Bexley’s unique and vibrant community first-hand.”

Bexley is one of the top-selling communities in the Tampa area, with a variety of home styles ranging from low-maintenance townhomes to single-family and luxury homes.

Nestled among cypress domes, oak hammocks and pine flatwoods, Bexley features significant conservation areas and a myriad of opportunities for recreation, exercise and social entertainment and connection.

The Bexley Club, a lakeside clubhouse is the centerpiece of the community and home to The Twisted Sprocket Café. This popular meeting spot is open to the public and serves breakfast items, gourmet lunches, desserts, smoothies, wine, craft beer and coffee drinks. Next to the clubhouse, Suncoast Trailside Bicycles sells a variety of bikes, gear and clothing, and offers repairs. If you’re looking to cycle around the community or hit the Bexley BMX pump track, you’ll find everything you need at this one-stop shop.

Bexley residents also enjoy miles of multi-surface Avid™ trails with Fit Stations to add fun and variety to workouts, whether walking, biking or jogging. And don’t forget about the custom-built playgrounds, two dog parks and sports fields.

At Bexley, prospective homebuyers can tour a variety of home options all in one visit. Best of all, the community offers an exclusive Resident for a Day program, which gives potential residents a chance to experience what Bexley has to offer. To learn more, visit www.BexleyFlorida.com or call (813) 425-7555.

Published April 24, 2019

Bexley Is Showcase Community At This Weekend’s Parade of Homes

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It is estimated that homebuyers visit 10 homes before they find “The One.” Potential buyers will have a chance to walk through dozens of model homes at the annual Tampa Bay Parade of Homes, which is being held the first two weekends in March.

This year, Bexley by Newland Communities will play a prominent role as the featured Showcase Community. Seven models representing three of Bexley’s award-winning builders will be on display during this popular two-weekend event.

“We’re honored to be this year’s Showcase Community, and to have the opportunity to show potential homebuyers what the Bexley lifestyle has to offer,” said Pam Parisi, vice president of marketing for Newland Communities, developer of Bexley.

The Bexley Club is a popular meeting place for residents and the surrounding community.

The Parade of Homes is an exceptional time to see the floor plans, interior designs and architecture of model homes, which are also judged by a panel of industry experts.

Featured homes in Bexley will include models from popular builders Cardel Homes, David Weekley Homes and Homes by WestBay.

Parade visitors can tour Cardel Homes’ Henley and Savannah models. The two-story, four-bedroom Henley provides more than 3,900 square-feet of living space, while the four-bedroom Savannah floor plan features three baths and more than 3,300 square feet of living space in a single-story design. Both models have three-car garages and have been newly decorated.

David Weekley’s Stonebrook model is a two-story home with four bedrooms, 3.5 baths and a rear entry two-car garage. This popular builder’s newly designed Tangelo floor plan features four bedrooms and 3.5 baths in a single-story home with just over 3,000 square feet.

The Sandpiper and Cypress models from Homes by WestBay offer stately four-bedroom and two to 2.5-bathroom floor plans. The one-story Sandpiper provides just over 2,000 square feet and a two-car garage, while the Cypress is a two-story floor plan with more than 2,700 square feet.

As one of Pasco County’s premier master-planned communities, homeowners at Bexley have access to a wide range of amenities and activities.

The central hub of the community is The Bexley Club. This lakeside clubhouse is a popular meeting place for residents and the surrounding community. Many come in to enjoy great food at the Twisted Sprocket Café, which serves breakfast, gourmet lunches, desserts, smoothies, wine, craft beer and coffee drinks.

Next door to the clubhouse, Suncoast Trailside Bicycles sells a variety of bikes, including mountain and electric bikes, gear and clothing. The shop also offers repairs. If you’re looking to cycle around the community or hit the Bexley BMX pump track, you’ll find everything you need at this one-stop shop.

In addition to two resort-style pools and a fitness center, residents also enjoy miles of multi-surface Avid™ trails, ideal for walking, biking, jogging and strollers. Fit Stations located along the trails add fun and variety to workouts.

Want to know what it’s like to live at Bexley? Sign up for the “Resident for a Day” program, which lets prospective homebuyers utilize many of the community’s amenities to get a true feel for what it’s like to live there.

“We love giving people an opportunity to experience life in Bexley firsthand. The Resident for a Day program gives prospective buyers an opportunity to enjoy the amenities, talk with residents, and see for themselves why so many families have chosen to make Bexley their home,” said Parisi.

Bexley’s Parade of Home models are open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., on Friday and Saturday, and 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., on Sunday. A guide to the models is available onsite at The Bexley Club, or download a copy at TampaBayParadeOfHomes.com.

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

93 Models To Tour In This Year’s Parade Of Homes

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The 2019 Tampa Bay Parade of Homes, hosted by the Tampa Bay Builders Association (TBBA), takes place over the next two weekends — March 1 to March 3 and March 8 to March 10. This is one of the largest Parades in Florida, with 93 model homes representing 40 builders at locations throughout Pasco, Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties.

The Parade of Homes is a hands-on way to see the latest in floor plans, interior designs and architecture styles of the area’s most prominent builders and developers. There is no cost or appointment needed to tour Parade homes.

Included in today’s Laker/Lutz News is a 12-page Parade of Homes Guidebook, which gives detailed maps pinpointing the location of each Parade home. In Pasco and south Hernando counties, there are 40 homes to tour, and in north Hillsborough County, 12 homes.

You can create a self-guided map of homes you want to tour at the Parade’s website, TampaBayParadeOfHomes.com. You can also view individual model homes online by builder, as well as entries from custom builders and remodelers.

A great place to start your tour is in Land O’ Lakes at the Parade’s showcase community of Bexley, a master-planned development by Newland Communities, located on State Road 54 and the Suncoast Parkway.

Seven models representing three of Bexley’s award-winning builders are on display during the Parade, with entries from Cardel Homes, David Weekley Homes and Homes by WestBay.

“It is a great time to buy a new home in Tampa Bay with a wide range of price points, including very affordable options, Cheryl McCormick Brown, chairperson of the 2019 Parade of Homes.

“The variety of plans, locations and price points that our 93 entries represent is truly indicative of the spectrum of buyers moving into this market every day. There truly is something for everyone at every life stage,” she said.

Parade of Homes models are open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., on Friday and Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m., on Sunday.

During the Parade, home entries are judged by an expert panel of building industry professionals from across the country, who consider site plan, curb appeal, design, materials, outdoor living spaces, architectural detailing and workmanship.

In addition to Bexley, other sponsors of the 2019 Tampa Bay Parade of Homes are MidFlorida Credit Union, TECO Peoples Gas, and Opendoor.

The TBBA has more than 800 members from the local building industry, including builders, developers, suppliers, subcontractors, lending institutions, architectural and engineering firms, as well as other related businesses. The organization promotes professionalism and continuing education within the tri-county building and development industry.

For further information, call (813) 571-TBBA, or visit TBBA.net.

Published February 27, 2019

Connerton — Much More Than Just A Place To Live

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In the heart of Pasco County in Land O’ Lakes, the community of Connerton continues to grow, as hundreds of new homes are built for people of all ages, fulfilling their dreams to live in a community that offers much more than just a place to live.

Connerton provides more for its residents than other planned communities because it has been designated a “New Town” by the Florida Legislature. Being a New Town means Connerton can create opportunities for a diverse tax base and future job generation, offering residents a community where they can live, work and play!

More Amenities.
Club Connerton serves as the community’s social hub and sports recreation center. Its resort-style pool and its unique giant water bucket is a favorite of Connerton youngsters, who rush to get drenched by the fast-falling water. An outdoor grill and game area were recently added for residents’ enjoyment, and the latest in exercise equipment is found at the Fit and Flourish room. Tennis, pickleball and basketball courts are part of the amenity complex, where residents are always welcome to join in pickup games.

More Family Fun.
A full-time activities director and support staff offer a complete spectrum of activities designed to please the little ones, teenagers and adults. These include yoga, Pilates, girls’ night out, cigar night, dive-in movies, community yard sales, Winter Wonderland and the annual Independence Day Celebration that draws more than 7,000 attendees.

In January, Connerton was the proud recipient of the 2018 Gold Award for Best Lifestyle Program for a Community during the National Association of Home Builders Sales and Marketing Awards gala in Orlando. Entries were submitted from around the nation, and Connerton walked away with the top award, edging out communities from California, Texas and South Florida.

More Nature and Trails.
With Connerton’s appreciation of nature, green space and conservation areas, residents enjoy more than 7 miles of trails and oversized sidewalks to bike, walk or simply enjoy a family stroll. A scenic 2-mile trail winds its way through natural wilderness, lakes and wetlands, and includes elevated boardwalks for bird watching and viewing other Florida wildlife.

Adjacent to Connerton is Conner Preserve — almost 3,000 acres of wildlife habitat donated by Connerton and managed by the Southwest Florida Water Management District.  Biking, camping, hiking, equestrian use and model airplane flying are some of the recreational activities found in the Preserve.

More Quality Schools.
Connerton Elementary is conveniently located within its borders and offers many school-based activities, including band and chorus, a Fall Festival, Science Fair and PTA special events. Residents can also register their children at close-by Sanders Memorial Elementary, a STEAM magnet school specializing in science, technology, engineering, art and math. 

Older students attend Pine View Middle School, which has the distinct honor of being Pasco County’s first International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme Candidate School. Land O’ Lakes High School is located right down the road and is the assigned high school. An A-rated school and designated International Baccalaureate World School, Land O’ Lakes High has been named ‘One of America’s Best Public Schools’ by U.S. News & World Report. Private, charter and parochial schools are also in the area.

More Parks.
Who doesn’t love a park? Residents looking for a place to picnic, or just a quiet place to read, visit one of the many neighborhood parks – Connerton Cove, Garden Party Park, Magnolia Park or Storybrook Park, which is also home to the community dog park.

More for All.
It’s easy to see why Connerton is “The Community of More…” If you’re looking to move, a visit to Connerton is well worth your time to visit. Five quality builders offer many floors plans and homesites. Models by M/I Homes, Lennar, Homes by WestBay and Inland Homes are open seven days a week. Luxury custom homebuilder Arthur Rutenberg Homes has 90-foot homesites available in the gated area of Rose Pointe.

For additional information, call (813) 996-5800, or visit Connerton.com.

Published April 25, 2018

Everything Is Alive and Blooming In Connerton

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Spring brings new life, and everything is coming alive in the beautiful, award-winning community of Connerton in Land O’ Lakes.

Flowers are blooming, trees are budding and wildlife is nesting. New families are also nesting, with 60 new buyers choosing Connerton as their home since the beginning of the year.

Connerton was honored to be one of the 2018 Showcase Communities for the annual Parade of Homes sponsored by the Tampa Bay Builders Association, held March 3 to March 11. More than 200 visitors came to Connerton during the Parade, with many looking to find their dream home in this premiere Central Pasco community.

Love of Nature
With the advent of spring, Connerton comes alive not only with new homes, but also with Florida wildlife that is abundant in its conservation areas, wetlands and ponds that make up this eco-friendly community.

New homebuyers choose Connerton because they want to enjoy nature at their backdoor and get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Drive through Connerton and you may encounter a gopher tortoise crossing the road, sandhill cranes teaching their chicks the ways of the world, or perhaps a new fawn prancing through the woods with its mother. So be sure to be careful on Connerton’s roads, especially this time of the year.

Connerton residents are very protective of their wildlife. It is not uncommon to see cars stop to pick up a turtle and move it to a safe place, or become crossing guards for families of sandhill cranes and deer that want to cross the road.

New this year at Connerton is a Butterfly Garden Club organized by residents. The butterfly gardens, located at Rose Cottage, are being designed to help sustain the declining honeybee population, and provide a rest area for migrating monarch butterflies.

Monarchs are the only two-way migrating butterflies in North America, and Connerton is in a prime location to help the monarchs in their 3,000-mile journey from Mexico to as far north as Canada. Connerton plans to allow local schools to use its garden to study the monarchs and for other educational purposes.

Commitment to Preservation
When Connerton was developed almost 20 years ago, 3,000 acres were donated to the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD). The Conner Preserve, as it is known today, is located on the north end of Connerton, but is open to the public with access from State Road 52.

This area offers a stunning landscape of steep sand-hill ridges, expansive marshes, dense cypress sloughs and lush pine flatwoods. The preserve is a vital part of a wildlife habitat corridor envisioned by Pasco County, and is a living laboratory of natural Florida.

With approximately 15 miles of multi-use trails and 17 miles of hiking-only trails, nature lovers enjoy Connerton’s recreational and educational activities where possum, armadillo, raccoons, rabbits, squirrels, gopher tortoises, white-tailed deer and many other species make their home. The SWFWMD offers downloadable field guides on its website that identify the animals, birds, butterflies, trees and wildflowers located on the premises. Visit: swfwmd.state.fl.us/recreation/species/.

Fresh Ideas
Spring also brings thoughts of spring-cleaning, and that often leads to thoughts of moving to a new home. Connerton offers a variety of new homes by five of the area’s quality builders — Homes by WestBay, M/I Homes, Inland Homes, Arthur Rutenberg Homes and Lennar.

Floor plans ranging from 1,500 to over 4,000 square feet, and priced from the low $200s to over $700,000. Homes are available with 3-6 bedrooms, 2-4 car garages, and many exciting new design and energy-saving features.

Stop and visit Club Connerton, and take a tour of this beautiful community that was awarded the Gold Award for Best Lifestyle Program in the Nation by the National Association of Home Builders. Visit the model homes, take a walk or bike ride on the trails, or fly a kite and enjoy one of the beautiful parks. You will be happy that you did, and you may even decide to live here!

For more information, visit Connerton.com.

Published March 28, 2018

Five Models at Starkey Ranch Receive Top Parade of Homes Awards

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Starkey Ranch, a 2,400-acre master-planned community in Odessa, received more recognition at the 2018 Parade of Homes in March than any other community in Tampa Bay.

Five model homes at Starkey Ranch took either a grand or silver award for their floor plans, interior design and outdoor areas, winning in categories with homes priced from $350,000 to $1.2 million.

“We are very proud of the recognition our homebuilders received in this year’s Parade of Homes,” said Matt Call, who leads the development team at Starkey Ranch. “We have five of the most successful builders in the Tampa Bay area, based on sales volume, customer satisfaction and awards. In fact, three of our builders—Pulte Homes, CalAtlantic Homes and Taylor Morrison—are in the top 10 of the national 2017 Builder 100 rankings.”

Buyers like what they see at Starkey Ranch, as evidenced by the volume of new home sales in the community.  In just the first 11 weeks of 2018, Starkey Ranch builders have written 94 sales contracts, a 42% increase over the same period last year. Since sales began in May of 2015, 660 homes have been sold.

Starkey Ranch was initially approved for over 5,000 homes, but Call projects the actual number will be closer to 3,000, due to the high demand for single-family homes on larger homesites. Home prices currently range from the upper $200,000s to over $800,000 on lots that back onto Starkey Preserve.

In 2018, Starkey Ranch is introducing several new neighborhoods: Monroe Commons featuring Pulte Homes; Anclote Reserve featuring Homes by WestBay; Albritton Park featuring M/I Homes; and Whitfield Preserve featuring Taylor Morrison.

Starkey Ranch lives up to its motto, ‘Alive and Thriving,’ says Call. “In less than three years, we’ve gone from no residents to 435 families living in beautiful new homes, and enjoying all the community amenities and programs. More families are moving in each week as their homes are completed.”

Call credits the success of Starkey Ranch to three factors – the place, the product, and the people.

“The place itself is incomparable,” he says. “This is legacy Starkey family land, the last segment of what was once a 20,000-acre working ranch. Most of the ranch became the Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Preserve, and we enjoy this forever-wild neighbor along the community’s northeastern boundary. On the other hand, we have three miles of frontage on State Road 54, making access easy for our residents.”

As evidenced by the Parade of Homes awards, the home products are something special, too. Starkey Ranch has rigorous design guidelines that require builders to enhance the exteriors of each home with elements like stone, siding, shingles, porches, decorative trim and upgraded roofing materials.

They also must vary the home plans and color palettes on each block, creating a more interesting streetscape. “You won’t find any cookie-cutter stucco boxes here,” says Call. “It may cost a bit more to build in Starkey Ranch, but the community is looking great and we think it will stand the test of time.”

The last key to success is people. The builder sales counselors, the Welcome Center ambassadors and the community’s Lifestyle team members all recognize that a sense of community is more important than a floor plan to most people.

“Our primary goal is to help new neighbors become friends, and we do that through amenities and community activities that bring people together—with a big focus on nature and outdoor recreation,” said Call.

Of Starkey Ranch’s 2,400 acres, 800 will forever remain as open spaces, parks, lakes and preserved wetlands. More than 15 miles of the planned 20-mile paved trail system within the community is complete, and it will connect with trails in the Starkey Wilderness Preserve and the regional Suncoast Trail.

The newest amenity, Cunningham Park, includes a lake with canoes and kayaks for resident use, a community hall for classes and social events, and a community garden. Neighborhood pools, pavilions and parks are disbursed throughout the community.

The 80-acre Starkey Ranch District Park, Pasco County’s newest recreational complex, opened late last year in the community. Its first phase includes a lighted Little League baseball/softball field, three lighted multipurpose fields for soccer, lacrosse and football, six multipurpose practice fields, a playground and picnic pavilions.

Pasco County has announced plans for the 2021 completion of a K-8 school co-located with the District Park. A public library, community cultural center, and additional recreational facilities will be built with the school.

Coming soon to the intersection of State Road 54 and Gunn Highway is the Publix-anchored Starkey Ranch Town Square, which will also include shops, restaurants and apartments. A small business park is planned for the intersection of Heart Pine Avenue and State Road 54.

For more information, visit the Starkey Ranch Welcome Center at 2500 Heart Pine Ave, Odessa, FL 33556. You can also call (813) 925-9777, email or visit StarkeyRanch.com. Welcome Center hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday noon to 6 p.m.

Recognized builders and their models are:

$350,000 to $399,000
M/I Homes – Grand Prize
Chatham Model

$400,000 to $449,000
M/I Homes – Silver Prize
Sheridan Model

$500,000 to $549,000
Homes by Westbay – Grand Prize
Ballast Point Model

$600,000 to $649,000
Taylor Morrison – Silver Prize
Farnese Model

$700,000 to $799,000
Pulte Homes – Grand Prize
Heatherton Model

Published March 28, 2018

Inland Homes Joins The Connerton Family

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Young families are discovering the master-planned community of Connerton in Land O’ Lakes. Since the beginning of the year, more than 175 homes have been sold, with many buyers choosing homes between 1,500 and 2,000 square feet.

“This is a perfect size for the first-time homebuyer looking for an affordable home in an established community with excellent schools and resort-style amenities,” said Reed Williams, president of Inland Homes and Connerton’s newest builder.

“Many families are coming out of apartments and find these smaller homes with three or four bedrooms quite spacious, and perfect for their growing families,” said Williams.

Inland’s floor plans match up perfectly with this family profile. In Connerton, it is offering one- and two-story floor plans that are 1,708 to 2,800 square feet, and begin at $234,000.

Inland’s model home, the Magnolia, is nearing completion, and will open in October alongside Connerton’s other model homes built by Lennar, M/I Homes, Homes By WestBay, and Taylor Morrison. Most models are open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m., on Sunday.

This is the second time Inland Homes has built homes in Connerton — it was one of the community’s original builders in the early 2000s, when Connerton first opened.

“We are excited to be back in Connerton, and pleased to offer homebuyers five new floor plans and some of the most beautiful home sites in the community,” said Williams. “Many of our lots back up to conservation, water or both, and offer outstanding views and privacy.”

Inland Homes differs from other moderately priced builders because its floor plans offer buyers some structural options. Plus, Inland Homes buyers make personal selections at its design center for flooring, cabinets and other finishes. Jack Suarez, whose family has been building homes in the Tampa area since 1940’s, owns the company.

Connerton Is A ‘New Town’

When Connerton visitors stop at Club Connerton, the community’s beautiful 10,000-square-foot clubhouse and amenity center, they often ask, “Why does Connerton feel so different than other communities we’ve visited?”

They discover that Connerton is different because it is one of only three communities in Florida that has been formally recognized as a “New Town” by both state and local governments. Like Seaside in Destin and Celebration in Orlando, Connerton earned its “New Town” designation for its community design, which reduces residents’ reliance on cars and promotes a more sociable, pedestrian culture.

Connerton’s vibrant “New Town” live/work/play design is master planned over the next decade to potentially make the community wholly self-sustaining. At full build out, Connerton may include up to 5,000 residential units of various types and densities, 730,000 square feet of retail services, 1.4 million square feet of office / medical office/ industrial space, 150 hospital beds and 100 nursing home beds, a government center, and approximately 1,800 acres of parks and protected, natural spaces. Close to 1,000 families live in Connerton today.

As the town of Connerton grows, it is opening new neighborhoods and expanding its unique Town Center with a mix of residential, retail, professional and commercial space. The Town Center is the community’s focal point and will connect its main streets, open spaces, gathering places, and educational and recreational opportunities.

Trails, boardwalks and pathways wind their way through the community. North of Connerton’s planned developments is the pristine, 3,000-acre Connerton Preserve that protects its lakes, natural wetlands and wildlife. The Preserve is home to a bounty of wildlife, including alligators, otters, deer, bats, and birds such as anhinga, little blue herons, wood storks, hoot owls and sand hill cranes. Strict rules are posted and enforced to maintain the preserve’s natural beauty and to protect its wildlife.

Diverse Residents

People also choose Connerton because of the community’s diversity in ages and the wide variety of interests found among residents. It makes living at Connerton interesting, fun and easy to make new friends.

At community gatherings, you’ll find people asking, “what brought you to Connerton?” Many say the community’s connection to the outdoors with its extended trails, bike paths and parks, as well as Connerton’s preservation of its natural beauty and pristine environment.

Others talk about Connerton’s hometown American feel and its Norman Rockwell look. And, just about everyone enjoys the amenities at Club Connerton, especially the fabulous resort-style pool and waterpark.

With its “New Town” designation and plan, unspoiled environment, and exceptional on-site amenities, Connerton offers an unrivaled setting that enriches the lives of its residents.

Please stop by for a personal tour. We’re located on the east side of U.S. 41, about six miles north of the intersection of State Road 54 in Land O’ Lakes, and three miles south of State Road 52. For more information, visit Connerton.com.

Published September 27, 2017

Not All Communities are Created Equal

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It’s been such an exciting year at Connerton that visitors and residents continue to be amazed by “The Community of More.”

The year began with Connerton being named the 2017 Showcase Community for the Parade of Homes sponsored by the Tampa Bay Builders Association. The month-long Parade brought hundreds of people to the Land O’ Lakes community for the first time in April, and many became new homeowners, with more than 30 homes being sold during the Parade.

Also in April, a brand new, mortgage-free home was presented to David Roca, a deserving Army veteran and his family. The dedication of the Roca home was an emotional outpouring of community support by local residents, Connerton’s developer Hayman Woods, and Lennar Homes, which built the Roca home.

Then, on July 1, more than 8,000 people came to Connerton for an old-fashioned Independence Day celebration with music, games, food and fireworks. Many other special events are held throughout the year for Connerton residents, which bring neighbors together to mingle and get to know each other in a friendly neighborhood setting.

 Discover the Connerton Difference

When Connerton visitors stop at the community’s beautiful clubhouse, they often ask, “Why does Connerton feel so different than other communities?” The answer is that Connerton is different because it is one of only three communities in Florida that has been formally recognized as a “New Town.”

Connerton earned its “New Town” designation because of its outstanding community planning and design, which reduces residents’ reliance on cars and promotes a more sociable, pedestrian culture. The mature trees, picturesque ponds and many conservation areas preserve the beauty of nature, and allow native foliage and wildlife to flourish.

As the town of Connerton grows, it is opening new neighborhoods and expanding its unique Town Center with its of mix of residential, retail, professional, commercial space and 20 acres set aside for a future government center. The Town Center will be the focal point of the community, connecting a hometown main street, open spaces, gathering places, and educational and recreational opportunities.

Everyone Loves A Winner

Connerton is an award-winning community. In May, it brought home trophies for Best Consumer Promotion for its Independence Day Celebration, and for Best Mobile Website, at the annual Award Presentation of the Sales and Marketing Council of the Tampa Bay Builders Association.

In July, Connerton won an award for Best Special Charity Event at the Southeast Builders Conference in Orlando. Numerous other awards have been presented to Connerton over the years, and are proudly displayed at Club Connerton, the resort-style clubhouse where the new Visitor Center is located.

Why Residents Chose Connerton

The diversity in ages and wide variety of interests are just two reasons why residents chose Connerton as their home.

At community gatherings, you’ll find people asking, “what brought you to Connerton?” Varied responses include the community’s connection to the outdoors, and its preservation of the natural beauty and pristine environment of the land.

Others love the “hometown American feel and the Norman Rockwell look about it.” The extended trails, bike paths and parks are favorites for many families, and pet lovers enjoy the dog park where even their four-legged family members can make friends.

It is interesting to note that 44 percent of new homeowners who purchased their home this year came from the Land O’ Lakes/Lutz area, 25 percent from Tampa, 7 percent from Wesley Chapel, 6 percent from West Pasco and 5 percent from other Florida counties. Another 13 percent are buyers from outside Florida, with the largest percentage of those coming from the northeast Atlantic area.

 Home Builders

Five quality builders offer beautiful floor plans and furnished models where homebuyers can choose their home site and style of home. Taylor Morrison, Homes by WestBay, M/I Homes and Lennar continue to build in The Arbors and Gardens villages. Most models are open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

In September, Connerton is welcoming Inland Homes to their model lineup. Inland will be offering homes from 1,700 to 2,000 square feet priced in the mid $200,000. Watch for their grand opening invitation.

Connerton is located approximately six miles north of the intersection of State Road 54 and U.S. 41. For more information, visit Connerton.com.

Published August 23, 2017

Rezoning approved for 320 new homes

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Homes by WestBay plans to build up to 320 single-family homes on a large swath of wooded land off Henley Road in Lutz.

The Pasco County Commission approved a rezoning for the project on Aug. 9

The 175-acre site is east of Long Lake Ranch, a master-planned community off State Road 54.

The newly approved residential project includes extending a one-lane, dead-end stretch of Leonard Road, at its intersection with Henley, as a two-lane road into the proposed development.

Homes by WestBay wants to build 320 homes on land off Henley Road. A dead-end section of Leonard Road would be extended into the proposed housing development. (Kathy Steele/Staff Photo)
Homes by WestBay wants to build 320 homes on land off Henley Road. A dead-end section of Leonard Road would be extended into the proposed housing development.
(Kathy Steele/Staff Photo)

During construction, truck traffic is scheduled to cut through Long Lake via Sunlake Boulevard, Long Lake Boulevard and Breynia Drive. Initially, about 120 homes will be built.

Some Long Lake residents expressed concerns about the construction route.

Long Lake resident Bill Cullen said he doesn’t oppose the rezoning, but he provided documents with more 70 signatures calling for an alternate construction route.

“There are a lot of children in this community,” Cullen said.

Residents are frequently out walking to the swimming pool, along trails or to other amenities within Long Lake, he said.

Trucks also would have to maneuver through two roundabouts, another resident said.

By the end of the public hearing on the rezoning, a developer’s representative said Henley and Leonard roads could be added as future truck routes.

Leonard Road residents also voiced objections, based on concerns about traffic from the new subdivision and potential flooding.

Seeking to improve safety, residents have lobbied for years to get sidewalks built along the two-lane winding road, between U.S. 41 and State Road 54.

John Foster presented county commissioners with letters and emails from about 20 Leonard Road residents against the rezoning.

The proposed homes will be built at a higher level than existing homes, Foster said. “We will be the low-lying area in comparison to everywhere else. We don’t want to be flooded out.”

Leonard Road resident Charlie McBride said WestBay representatives had done “as best as they could” on the project. But he added, “I realize there ain’t no way I’m going to stop the traffic coming from Long Lake. There are going to be a lot of traffic problems.”

Developers anticipate providing five entrances for the new subdivision.

The extension of Leonard, a re-alignment of Henley and Leonard, and paving Henley from State Road 54 to Leonard will improve traffic flow, said land use attorney Andrea Zelman.

“Leonard Road, as an east/west road, was always part of (the county’s) highway vision plan,” Zelman said. “It provides some of the connectivity that Pasco is looking for, as well as an alternative route.”

Revised August 22, 2016