The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Seven Oaks

Apartments’ rejection is challenged

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SD Wesley Chapel LLC and Stock Development LLC are challenging the Pasco County Commission’s decision to reject a proposed mixed-use project of apartments, office and retail on a parcel in Seven Oaks.

The petitioners have filed a challenge under the state’s Land Use and Environmental Dispute Resolution Act.

They claim that the county’s denial was “unreasonable and unduly burdensome.”

David Goldstein, chief assistant Pasco County attorney disputes that claim.

He wrote, in part: “The denial was not unreasonable or unfairly burdensome to petitioner, because the board did not take away any of petitioner’s existing rights to utilize petitioner’s property (“Parcel S-19”) for retail and/or office uses, which have been the uses contemplated for Parcel S-19” since the Seven Oaks development was approved.

Pasco County Attorney Jeffrey Steinsnyder informed the county board of the challenge, during its Feb. 22 meeting.

The petitioners have filed a challenge under the state’s Land Use and Environmental Dispute Resolution Act.

“It’s a process that someone who believes that they are inordinately burdened by the action by the Board of County Commissioners in land development can take,” Steinsnyder explained.

Both parties agree to a special magistrate, which in this case will be David Mechanik, a Tampa attorney who is a Florida Supreme Court-certified mediator and a certified planner, Steinsnyder said.

“Unlike a court mediation, the public is invited to attend, especially those who are affected,” Steinsnyder said.

There will be an opportunity for negotiation, between the petitioners and the county, to see if a resolution can occur.

“If such a resolution were to occur, I’m not saying that it would, then that would come forward to the board in another public hearing to vote on whatever the settlement would be,” Steinsnyder said.

The mediation would take place in a county facility, which be selected based on how many people are expected to attend, Steinsnyder said.

The dispute stems from the county’s Jan. 11 denial of the petitioners’ request to modify the entitlements on a parcel within Seven Oaks to allow a development that includes 320 luxury apartment units in a vertical mixed-used project on land zoned for commercial uses.

The proposed project site is next to the Sam’s Club, in Seven Oaks, a community in Wesley Chapel, off State Road 56 and County Road 581.

The county board rejected the request on a 3-2 vote. Commissioners Mike Moore, Jack Mariano and Ron Oakley supported Moore’s motion for denial, while Commission Chairwoman Kathryn Starkey and Commissioner Christina Fitzpatrick dissented.

Seven Oaks’ residents turned out in force at the public hearing to express their opposition.

In the hours-long meeting, many residents testified that their community already has land available for apartments, in a more appropriate location.

They said the traffic created by the development would add to already congested roads and would pose hazards.

They complained that the amount of proposed development was too much for its intended site.

The developer, however, said the project has been carefully planned and would be an asset to the area. He said that great efforts had been made to amend his plans and to design a project that would offer a high-qualify lifestyle, while also incorporating some commercial elements.

County commissioners Moore and Mariano said the proposed project reduces the amount of land available for job-generating uses. Oakley said the project was too big for the proposed site.

The special magistrate is expected to consider the merit of the request for relief, seek solutions between the petitioners and Pasco County, hold an informal public hearing, and then issue his recommendation.

Pasco County has requested that the special magistrate hold the hearing as soon as practicable.

Published March 09, 2022

Project’s impacts on jobs questioned

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The Pasco County Planning Commission has delayed a request that would pave the way for a medical office, commercial uses, apartments and a veterinary office on a site at State Road 54 and Henley Road, about 1 mile west of U.S. 41, in Land O’ Lakes.

The site currently is entitled for an assisted living facility, but the applicant wants to change the approved uses through a text amendment to the land use plan and then to follow that up with a request for a rezoning to a master-planned unit development.

The land plan request had received a recommendation for approval from the county’s planners and had been placed on the planning board’s consent agenda — meaning it would be voted on in a single action with other consent items, unless someone raised questions about it.

David Goldstein, chief assistant county attorney, asked for the item to be pulled from consent.

Goldstein asked why the agenda memo, which was part of the board’s backup, did not include an analysis of how the proposed shift would affect the site’s job-generating capacity and what type of fiscal impact it would have.

From an entitlement perspective, Goldstein said, “this seems eerily similar to parcel S-19 in Seven Oaks (a recently denied request for an apartment development).

“It’s clearly an exchange of employment-generating uses for apartments, and if staff wants to recommend approval of that, I’m not saying you can’t, but there should be some analysis.

“At least with S-19, you did an economic analysis and a fiscal impact analysis to demonstrate why it met those policies.

“I see absolutely no analysis in this memo about why it meets our fiscal impact policies or economic development policies. I’m saying there needs to be more analysis that is not in this memo,” Goldstein said. “You did that analysis for S-19 and it wasn’t done here.”

Based on the applicant’s proposal, Goldstein added, “it appears that the employment potential of this site is being reduced. For example, they’re going from 80,000 office to 45,000 office; 30,000 retail to 10,000 retail; getting rid of the ALF (assisted living facility) and, now there’s multifamily.”

According to information from both Cynthia Spidell, representing the applicant and the agenda memo, the applicant wants to create a planned development project that includes a 45,000-square-foot medical/professional office; a vertical mixed-use multifamily development, with 240 apartments and 5,000 square feet of commercial, office and retail on the ground floor and a 3,500-square-foot pet center/veterinary clinic.

Spidell, representing the applicant, said “we have a very constrained site. We have some wetlands, we have stormwater ponds that are permitted already.”

Because of that, there is a limited amount of acreage available, she said.

The previously approved entitlement is not realistic for what can be achieved on the site, she said.

Nectarios Pittos, the county’s director of planning and development, said the county “reversed-engineered, in a sense, what could possibly fit on the site” and how the different land uses could be accommodated on the irregular parcel.

Spidell said the change is being pursued because there’s not a market for the assisted living facility.

Goldstein: “I’m not disagreeing with you that the site was probably over-entitled, but just because it’s over-entitled that doesn’t necessarily mean that you take the land and convert it to multifamily.

“You can take the land that’s available and make it all medical office; you can make it medical office and retail,” Goldstein said.

Goldstein reiterated: “Did anybody coordinate with the Office of Economic Growth on this application?”

Pittos said the application was sent to the Office of Economic Growth for review and it did not object to the proposal “due to property’s site-specific environmental constraints and the restrictive remaining uplands.”

Goldstein also asked: “Why is this on the consent agenda when our board has been pretty clear

about wanting to preserve employment on the (State Road) 54 corridor?

“This is our major economic development corridor, where the board has said they want to see employment-generating land uses. It’s not obvious to me that this is preserving that mission.

‘If it’s OK, then explain why it’s OK,” Goldstein said.

Planning board member Roberto Saez made a motion to continue the item until the planning board’s next meeting, to provide time for information to be gathered relating to fiscal and job-generating impacts.

“I just want to see the data. That is simple,” Saez said.

The planning board concurred, continuing the issue until its March 3 meeting.

Published February 23, 2022

Divided board rejects Seven Oaks’ apartments

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The Pasco County Commission has denied a request that would have allowed 320 apartments and 20,000 square of commercial office/retail use in Seven Oaks, a master-planned community in Wesley Chapel.

Commissioners voted 3-2 to reject the request for a modification to Seven Oaks’ master plan, which would have set the stage for a resort-style development by Stock Luxury Apartment Living, a developer based in Naples.

Commissioner Mike Moore made the motion to deny the request, which was seconded by Commissioner Ron Oakley. Commissioner Jack Mariano also voted against the proposal.

Commission Chairwoman Kathryn Starkey and Commissioner Christina Fitzpatrick disagreed with their colleagues, voting against Moore’s motion.

The action followed hours of public testimony.

Applicant Keith Gelder, of Stock Luxury Apartment Living, wanted Seven Oaks to be the location for his first Pasco project.

He told county board members: “We do high-quality, large amenity, lifestyle-driven projects.”

Gelder said plans called for a resort-style pool, multi-story buildings with commercial uses on the first floor, a dog park, a parking garage and angled street parking for customers using the shops.

His presentation included photographs, to give commissioners an idea of what to expect. He also mentioned that developments his company has done include amenities such as golf simulators, fitness centers, a catering kitchen, spin room, outdoor cabanas and gaming.

“We want to bring a beautiful project here to Pasco,” he said. “We feel like this is the right project and right location.”

Seven Oaks residents disagreed.

Resident Barbara Foss said she doesn’t oppose additional apartments in Seven Oaks, but objects to the location of the proposed project.

“We do have a place that is zoned for apartments. It’s on the north end of our property. There are several streets there — for entering and existing our subdivision,” Foss said.

Zachary Besso, another opponent, questioned the need: “We have plenty of luxury apartments in Pasco County. Do we really need more?”

Seven Oaks resident Michael Garbutt told commissioners: “There are many reasons to oppose this change to the master plan.”

One primary problem would be traffic impacts, he said.

“It is easy to look at the roads and conclude generically that they’re adequate for the new residents, but when you have local knowledge of how the roads are actually used, then you see there will be a problem.

“As residents, we’ve learned how to get in and out of our subdivision as efficiently as possible. “So, we can foresee how 500 new residents are likely to use the roads. Do we really want to add more traffic? I don’t think so.”

Jon Tomsu, representing the Seven Oaks Resident Council, presented documents containing 1,220 signatures of opposition to the proposed development.

“It just doesn’t fit,” Tomsu said.

He also questioned the economic formula that was used by the county planning staff as part of its recommendation for approval.

Initially, economic impact calculations were based on 86,000 square feet of commercial retail/office as compared to 320 apartments. An updated comparison was based on 60,000 square feet of commercial office/retail, compared to 320 apartments and 20,000 square feet of commercial office/retail.

“We keep changing the playing field,” Tomsu complained.

The new formula bothered Mariano, too.

The commissioner put it this way: “The scales were tipped in the statistics here, to make the mixed use look better than what the commercial retail would have been, by changing that input.”

Opponents had plenty to say
Neighbors also raised issues about the proposed parking garage. One said it would be an eyesore; another said it would pose security risks. Still others questioned if the plan had adequate parking and surmised that overflow could end up using the Wesley Chapel Sam’s Club parking lot, which they said would be unfair for that business.

Commissioner Oakley said the size of the development was too big for the proposed site. He also voiced concerns about potential safety hazards.

In calling for denial, Moore said “the staff and the applicant both failed to conduct any service consumption cost analysis, therefore the staff and the applicant failed to demonstrate that the project will contribute more to the county in revenue than it will consume in services.”

He also noted the conversion “will place additional unplanned and unmitigated demands on the school, library and park systems.”

Existing entitlements for office or retail would not create those demands, Moore said.

Plus, Moore said, converting the land’s use would be contrary to the legitimate public policy of preserving land for employment-generating uses.

Starkey, however, voiced discomfort with voting down the request.

“I think it’s being denied for different reasons. We heard that people thought it’s going to be ugly. People think we don’t need any more apartments,” Starkey said.

She thinks Pasco needs more apartments — not fewer — and she thinks locating apartments on the edge of a master-planned development is appropriate.

“To put multifamily on a corner like (State Road) 56, where transit is going to be, I think that’s where it needs to be.

“We have said that we want vertical mixed use. I think that’s a great use of our limited space.

The county has a process that allows consideration for a swap of uses within a master-planned unit development — based on using a land use equivalency matrix (LUEM), which ensures that the impacts are equivalent.

Attorney Joel Tew said the county has granted 15 other requests to convert uses within Seven Oaks.

That drew Fitzpatrick’s attention: “What concerns me is that in the past 15 LUEM conversions, not one had been disputed or denied.”

Tew also noted that while his client had to undergo a public hearing process, another applicant  — represented by attorney Barbara Wilhite — received an administrative approval on a similar request.

He also said the reception to his client’s request would have been different, if it had been in a different location.

“Under normal circumstances, you would have given them a hug and a kiss and thanked them for coming to your fair county,” Tew said.

The attorney said that if the proposed request “wasn’t exactly where it is (in Seven Oaks)” that the board “would recognize this as the poster child for the type of vertical mixed-use development that you have begged my client and other development clients to bring to Pasco County for you.”

Moore lives in Seven Oaks and championed the county’s current temporary moratorium on new applications for multi-family development.

Published January 19, 2022

Pasco County expanding its library options

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The Hugh Embry Branch Library is closed for remodeling and the Land O’ Lakes Branch Library soon will close for a makeover, too.

Meanwhile, in just a few weeks, the new Starkey Theatre, Library and Cultural Center will open in the Starkey Ranch development, off State Road 54, in Odessa.

Hugh Embry has been cleared of its contents, with construction set to start on remodeling the 7,223-square-foot library. The $2 million project is expected to be completed by mid-2022, according to Bob Harrison, marketing program manager for the Pasco County Library Cooperative.

Meanwhile, the 18,169-square-foot branch library in Land O’ Lakes is scheduled to close on Aug. 14, in preparation for its remodeling. That project is estimated at $4.75 million, and is expected to wrap up by late 2022.

The Hugh Embry library’s makeover will be a floor-to-ceiling remodel and will include new furnishings, updated technology, faster broadband and other improvements.(Courtesy of Pasco County Library Cooperative)

Despite the difference in size, both libraries will be getting the same treatment, Harrison said.

“Both of these libraries were built, I believe, in the ’80s, and they are well overdue for a complete remodel,” Harrison said.

The two branches will get new furnishings, new lighting, faster broadband, new computers and printers for the public, Harrison said.

“It’s a top-to-bottom remodel. Floor-to-ceiling. Everything is brand new. Literally, from the floor coverings to the wall, to the ceiling treatments,” he said.

Space is being reconfigured at both libraries to maximize the space available for public programming, Harrison added.

In-person programs were curtailed by COVID-19, but the library system hopes to be able to resume those in the fall.

“We really can’t wait to get into some of these new spaces and start doing some of the in-person programs,” Harrison said. “That’s really what the public wants.”

At the same time, though, some remote programs introduced during COVID-19 will be retained, because they are popular and they meet a need, he said.

Funding for the library renovations is coming from proceeds of general obligation bonds that were approved through a referendum in 2018, with a 66% approval rating from voters, Harrison said.

Closing the branch libraries to allow remodeling will pose an inconvenience for patrons, Harrison said.

But, he also noted that it’s not feasible to keep the libraries open while doing the upgrades.

To try to mitigate the impacts, the library system has staggered the branch closings.

For instance, Hugh Embry wasn’t closed until the New River Branch Library was reopened.

It also is looking for alternative locations where patrons can pick up book holds, to minimize the distance people have to drive to borrow materials, he added.

As the Hugh Embry and Land O’ Lakes branches are temporarily closed, the Starkey Ranch Theatre, Library and Cultural Center, referred to as the TLC, will be having its soft opening from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., on Aug. 2.

The TLC is on the campus of the Starkey K-8 School, at 12200 Lake Blanche Drive in Odessa, and is the result of a collaboration between Pasco County and Pasco County Schools.

“During school hours, the children and the teen area will be closed off to the public and will remain available to the kids. Once school is over, then we open it up to everybody,” Harrison said.

The library has a 250-seat theater and the library system’s first Maker Space for ceramics, he added. “There’s a pottery wheel. There’s a kiln.”

Future plans also call for a library in Seven Oaks, in Wesley Chapel.

“It’ll probably be about three years down the road,” Harrison said. “That community has been clamoring for a library close to them.”

Published July 28, 2021

Wesley Chapel native relishes second shot at ‘American Idol’

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Wesley Chapel native Zach D’Onofrio made his first brief appearance on ABC’s hit reality television show “American Idol” back in 2018.

Then he was a timid 17-year-old Wiregrass Ranch High School student who perhaps came away best known for his colorful sock collection, before being eliminated during the show’s “Hollywood Week” competition in Los Angeles.

Wesley Chapel native Zach D’Onofrio wowed ‘American Idol’ judges with his rendition of Billy Joel’s ‘New York State of Mind,’ during a March 21 episode to advance to the second round of ABC’s hit reality television series. The 20-year-old college student’s run ended shortly thereafter, during the duet challenge of the competition. (Courtesy of Gigi Stevens/Freemantle)

D’Onofrio’s second chance at stardom proved more fruitful.

Entering as a more seasoned and confident 20-year-old college sophomore studying at Florida Southern College in Lakeland, D’Onofrio aimed to advance farther in the competition and to have a more enjoyable experience overall.

Mission accomplished for D’Onofrio.

He made it to the second round of “Hollywood Week” thanks to his rendition of Billy Joel’s “New York State of Mind,” as part of the show’s genre challenge.

He also had previously impressed celebrity judges — Luke Bryan, Katy Perry, Lionel Richie — in a live audition broadcast March 14 singing “Golden Slumbers” by The Beatles solo, and “Falling” by Harry Styles with girlfriend and former “Idol” contestant Catie Turner.

However, D’Onofrio’s run ended in the show’s duets challenge on March 22, where showrunners paired him with Sloane Simon, a 16-year-old high school cheerleader from the Pittsburgh area.

Together, they belted out a cover of “You Make My Dreams” by Hall & Oates.

Following the aired performance, Perry said of D’Onofrio: “Listen, I believe in you. You really have grown and overcome.”

In the same breath, however, the Grammy-nominated pop star said both D’Onofrio and his duet partner “need more experience” and “it’s not the time” for them to continue in the competition.

But, she later added this of D’Onofrio on the broadcast: “Next time he comes back, he’s going to show us — the underdog always wins, always.”

Despite a rejection witnessed by millions of viewers nationwide, D’Onofrio came away pleased to have achieved more compared to his first go-round, thanks in part to countless choir and voice lessons taken the past couple years.

He also left with several friendships forged with other talented contestants throughout his appearance on the show.

He traded in his unique socks for showy, colorful sweaters, too.

“My whole thing the second time was getting out of my shell, and I really did think I got out of my shell,” D’Onofrio told The Laker/Lutz News in a recent phone interview.

“I definitely felt better the second time. I just didn’t want to get cut earlier than I did the first time. I just wanted to make it farther, that was my main goal, and I did.”

D’Onofrio acknowledged that he felt more comfortable this time performing in front of the daunting star-studded cast of judges — who are among the world’s all-time best-selling artists in their respective genres. After all, it wasn’t the first time he performed for them.

“I definitely was more confident, because I was like, ‘Yeah, they know me, I’ve done this before,’ like it really wasn’t that bad,” said D’Onofrio, who grew up in the Seven Oaks neighborhood in Wesley Chapel.

“I just saw (the judges) as people this time, instead of figures, because they really do give advice, and talk to you heart-to-heart and it feels real, because some things on TV are sometimes fake, obviously, but when you’re actually there in person and you can connect person to person, it just feels really nice.”

D’Onofrio began singing around his junior year of high school, making his talent known at Dreamhouse Theatre in Lutz, which was then owned by his family.

The budding singer-songwriter adeptly plays the piano, electric guitar and ukulele, and fancies himself an old soul at heart — with a passion for oldies and classics music dating to the 1940s era.

“It just feels right when I sing those types of songs,” said D’Onofrio, who lists Billy Joel among his favorites.

“That was kind of my goal with “American Idol,” to introduce the new generation of people that maybe aren’t familiar with that type of music…so it’s like taking older songs and just making them fun and new and that’s kind of my goal, just so people don’t dislike oldies.”

Newfound celebrity
While D’Onofrio said no music labels have reached out to him since his latest “Idol” appearance, he’s received offers to perform at some local piano and jazz bars in Tampa Bay.

His college also has been quite supportive of his career, hosting an “Idol” watch party and has “offered a lot of really cool opportunities,” such as on-campus performances.

He’s also acquired a certain level of fame — from getting verified on Instagram to having fans reach out to him on social media from Argentina, Brazil and Philippines, and other places.

Even former “Idol” contestant Clark Beckham, who finished runner-up on the show in 2015, reached out to him for words of encouragement.

Every once in a while, D’Onofrio is even recognized on campus, or about town.

But, people tend to be timid about approaching him.

“At school, I get so many stares,” he said, noting he realizes it’s because of his American Idol appearances.

He doesn’t say anything, because he thinks that would make them feel awkward.

“People want to say something but they never do, and I’m like, ‘I’m not scary, I swear, it’ll be OK.’”

Music is the motivation
D’Onofrio continues to make music from his college dorm room — which he’s transformed into a makeshift studio.

He also collaborates on projects with a friend through FaceTime calls.

He plans to release a single titled, “Don’t Leave,” in late April, which he describes as “a pop piano ballad.”

He’s also working to produce and release an EP album by summertime.

Now the lingering question: Could the third time be the charm for D’Onofrio, on “American Idol” or another reality television singing competition?

At the moment, D’Onofrio is focused on finding success as an independent artist and pursuing a degree in music management.

But he hasn’t closed the door on music competitions.

“I’m sure I’ll audition again just to see,” he said.

But he doesn’t know if that will be to “American Idol” or “America’s Got Talent” or “The Voice.”

If he makes a return to “Idol,” he’d like to make it to at least round three.

While he’s exited the show this year, 19-year-old Alanis Sophia, of Dade City, remains active in the competition.

Published March 31, 2021

Apartments proposed on Bruce B. Downs, at Eagleston

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The Pasco County Planning Commission has recommended approval of a conditional use permit to allow an apartment development on the west side of Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, south of Eagleston Boulevard.

The request, submitted by Adventist Health System Sunbelt Healthcare Corporation, would allow a maximum of 248 apartments on the 16.24-acre site. Adventist intends to sell the land to enable the development.

The Pasco County Commission is scheduled to hear the request on Jan. 12 at 1:30 p.m., in the board’s chambers at the Historic Pasco County Courthouse in Dade City.

Pete Pensa, director of planning for AVID Group of Tampa, outlined details of the request for planning commissioners.

The property is located at 5101 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., which is about one-fourth mile south of Wesley Chapel Boulevard, Pensa said. It has direct frontage on Bruce B. Downs and Eagleston boulevards.

There’s a mixture of development in the area, including retail, medical office uses, car dealerships and an assisted living facility, Pensa said.

It’s south of BayCare’s planned hospital, which recently was announced, Pensa said.

Baycare hospital officials recently had a ceremonial groundbreaking for the facility, which is under construction.

Other nearby uses include fast-food and sit-down restaurants, and a bank, Pensa added.

“To the south of us are townhomes and single-family subdivisions,” he said, adding, “there is no existing multifamily within this mixed-use quadrant.”

He also mentioned that multifamily is an appropriate transitional use between commercial to the north and single-family residential to the south.

The site has been zoned for commercial use since 1984, but there hasn’t been a market for that use, Pensa said. “They’ve not been able to find a buyer and developer.”

“There are a variety of commercial uses in the area that support the project, both from  opportunities for shopping and eating, as well as working, including the BayCare facility,” he said.

The hospital is expected to have 275 jobs, and the nearby assisted living facility.

Plans call for preserving a significant portion of the apartment project property, Pensa added.

Amenities will include walking trails around a pond, a park, a dog park, picnic areas, a clubhouse and a pool.

Pensa also noted that there would be fewer trips generated by this development than from a commercial use. And, he said there is water, sewer and reclaimed water available to service the site.

He submitted two letters of support for the project.

However, there were objections.

Todd Yontec emailed his objections, noting that he’s a longtime resident of the Seven Oaks community and objects to adding apartments in an area that already has plenty of residential development.

“This would truly be poor planning by the commission, if it keeps adding apartment complexes without encouraging the building of the infrastructure to support the increasing population density in this area,” Yontec wrote.

“The only deviation from this original plan that I would support would be to return the parcel to wetlands, or create a park,” he added.

Planning commissioner Roberto Saez, who lives in Seven Oaks, also objected to the request.

He said the area is oversaturated with apartment complexes.

“I go to Publix. Every time, it’s getting busier,” he said, making it harder to find parking.

“As an owner, I believe it is increasing the value of my property. As a user, it can be a real nightmare. I don’t see any type of expansion of Bruce B. Downs. I don’t see any plan to cover the schools,” Saez said.

“I have a hard time with the project, to be honest with you,” the planning commissioner added.

Saez said he’s also concerned about overloading Seven Oaks Elementary School.

Chris Williams, who represents Pasco County Schools on the planning board, said the proposed development would generate 30 elementary school students.

Saez voiced skepticism about that projection.

But, Williams said the biggest impact on schools comes from single-family developments.

As the school district’s director of planning, Williams is in charge of the planning done to address future school needs.

He said he has no concerns about the impact on schools from the proposed development.

“We don’t object to this particular development,” Williams said.

Revised on Jan. 3, 2021

An overpass at State Road 56 and Bruce B. Downs?

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It’s a long way from reality, but Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore wants to begin taking steps toward the possibility of an overpass at State Road 56 and Bruce B. Downs Boulevard.

The commission chairman broached the idea during the commission’s Aug. 19 meeting.

“If you know the intersection of 581, that’s Bruce B. Downs, and (State Road) 56 — that’s one of the largest intersections in the nation. It’s huge,” Moore said.

“For bikers and walkers, that is impossible to cross,” he noted.

“It’d be great for our citizens to have access, especially bike access, all across there,” Moore said. “All four corners have numerous things to benefit the citizens.”

In addition to The Shops at Wiregrass, there also are a number of shops and restaurants along Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, the county leader said.

There’s also a multi-use path, and State Road 56 has been extended over to U.S. 301 in Zephyrhills.

“I would love to see if we can look at possibly getting — I’m going to call it a flyover —  for bikes and walkers. I mean, golf carts would be cool, too, but if that can’t happen, at least for bikes and walkers,” Moore said.

Creating this overpass would help the county move closer to its concept of creating walkable communities, Moore added.

“We have a number of neighborhoods, very close to that intersection,” he said, mentioning Seven Oaks and Northwood, as well as numerous townhouse and apartment communities.

“It’s just hard for them to get over,” Moore said. “If you want to make this bike-able, walkable — you need to have access.

“We have the new brewery coming, that’s going to be one of the largest in West Florida,” he added.

Moore said he raised the issue because he wanted to get a conversation going about the potential improvement.

Fellow Commissioner Kathryn Starkey told Moore:  “I think that would be great to have something like that over there, it’s just a process.”

To move forward with the idea, she advised him to get in touch with Tina Russo, who heads up the Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee.

Starkey also added that getting an improvement like that built would need to go through the Metropolitan Planning Organization process.

Published August 26, 2020

Cypress Creek Middle set to open this fall

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When a new school year opens, Cypress Creek Middle students will finally have school buildings to call their own.

Middle and high school students have been sharing the campus, formerly known as Cypress Creek Middle High, since 2017.

Beginning this fall, however, there will be a middle school for grades six through eight, and a high school for grades nine through 12.

Construction on the middle school began in 2019.

Cypress Creek Middle School is ready to open on its new campus.(Courtesy of Pasco County Schools)

“It’s more than on track,” said Ray Gadd, deputy superintendent for Pasco Schools. “It’s as ahead of schedule as we’ve ever been.”

Like all public schools in Pasco County, a regular school day likely will be very different from any previous school years.

Planning sessions are ongoing for the fall start of school, with keen attention on how the COVID-19 pandemic will dictate changes in school operations.

Gadd said he anticipates an announcement on what to expect for district schools by July 1.

Cypress Middle School has a student capacity of about 1,600 students. Gadd surmises the first year enrollment will be somewhat lower.

Construction for the school building is estimated at about $43.5 million.

It shares the same campus as the high school, but is about 15 acres north of it.

With a curriculum focus on performing arts, the building design includes a black box theater, chorus, dance and orchestra rooms.

Also, Pasco-Hernando State College is expected to open its Instructional Performing Arts Center on the same campus this fall.

The district initially planned to open both a high school and a middle school on the Cypress Creek campus at the same time, but a lack of funding forced it to use the campus for both middle and high school students.

The campus opened in 2017, for students in grades six through 11, with a senior class added the following year. Care was taken to keep the younger students and older students separated, and to provide middle school and high school programs.

Opening of the middle school in the fall also required a realignment of school boundaries affecting primarily students living in the Seven Oaks subdivision of Wesley Chapel, who attended John Long Middle School and Wiregrass Ranch High School.

While the district gears up to open a new school, it’s preparing for how it will operate safely amidst COVID-19 concerns.

Gadd noted there’s no precedence to follow.

“We look at everything the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) does, but CDC has not provided us with any pragmatic, practical information,” Gadd said.

Figuring out how to do social distancing isn’t easy, especially with kindergarten and elementary students, he said.

“How do you keep kindergartners from interacting?” Gadd asked.

One option to keep younger students safe would be to keep them together as one classroom group, he said. There would be no intermingling with students in other classrooms. And, activities with each group, including recess, would be done as a unit.

Middle school and high school students are more mature, and more likely to handle social distancing, Gadd said.

But, there are many more issues to resolve — even something as simple as getting students to and from school.

“How do we get kids on the bus and off the bus?” Gadd said.

Work sessions are ongoing.

“Our intent is to open all schools,” Gadd said. “Right now, we haven’t received any guidance from the state suggesting otherwise.”

Revised June 09, 2020

Finding a way to shine a spotlight on seniors

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During normal times, Marie Joles is busy at her day job, working as a dental hygienist.

And, typically during this time of year, high school seniors are gearing up for their final festivities in high school — prom, awards ceremonies, graduation.

But, the threat of a highly contagious and deadly virus — the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic — has upended life’s ordinary routines.

So, instead of going to work, Joles has been at home. And, instead of gearing up for traditional celebrations and hanging out with friends, seniors have been spending their final school days distance learning.

(Courtesy of Marie Joles)

Joles hated the thought that their senior year would end that way. After all, she remembered how special it was for her family to go through the festivities when her daughter, Samantha, graduated last year.

So, Joles, who is a board member of the Wiregrass Ranch High School’s PTSA and in charge of that group’s social media efforts, asked PTSA president Jennifer Kanyok, if she could do Senior Spotlights on their social media.

Once she got the go-ahead, she began soliciting the spotlights on her personal Facebook page and on the Seven Oaks Facebook page.

Then she reached out by text and email to Robyn White, the school’s principal; David Wilson, the athletic director; and to all of the school coaches.

She also reached out to Bobbie Gebhart, the band booster president, and Jeni Wiseman, the football team mom — to spread the word about the profiles.

The parents submit the photos and blurbs, which Joles tweaks and posts.

In less than 24 hours, she had seven profiles ready.

Now, there are dozens posted.

They convey a sense of pride of the parents who submitted the blurbs about their children.

The profiles offer a glimpse of the lives these members of the Wiregrass Ranch High Class of 2020 have led, and offer insights about their personalities and aspirations.

Some have earned college credits, a college diploma or industry certifications while still in high school. Others have volunteered hundreds of hours.

They’ve been in theatrical performances, in marching band and orchestra, in color guard and cheerleading.

They’ve competed in lacrosse, soccer, swimming, football, track, basketball, weightlifting, basketball and other sports.

They’ve been members of the National Honor Society, the Key Club, and Health Occupations Students of America, to name just a few clubs.

And, they have wide-ranging ambitions.

Some plan to pursue traditional careers, such as nursing, law and business administration. Others aspire to less common paths, such as becoming a Judge Advocate General (JAG) officer, a makeup specialist or an animator.

Most graduates appear to be heading off to higher education in the Sunshine State, at such colleges as Pasco-Hernando State College, Saint Leo University, the University of South Florida, the University of Central Florida, the University of Florida, Florida State University and Stetson University.

Regardless of what they’ve done, or where they’re going — they have made an impression.

One graduate is described as “a beautiful soul and a day of sunshine.”

Another is said to have “a musician’s heart.”

One “has a big heart, is a hard worker and knows how to live in the moment.”

Another has “a wicked sense of humor, amazing spirit and zeal for life.”

Joles said she wanted to do the spotlights because this is a special time for seniors and they deserve recognition.

“I wanted to let them know that we appreciate them,” she said.

Those wishing Joles to post a profile of a Wiregrass Ranch senior can reach out to her at  , or text her at (813) 830-8643.

How are you celebrating your graduating seniors?
The normal ceremonies that mark completion of high school are being postponed until later this year. Meanwhile, families and schools are getting creative in their efforts to help celebrate members of the Class of 2020.

What are you doing? We’d love to know. We’re planning to do a story sharing how families and schools within The Laker/Lutz News are rising to the occasion to make their high school seniors feel special.

Send your submissions to .

Thank you, in advance, for your help.

Published May 06, 2020

ICI Homes Opens New Wesley Chapel Models With 2.75% Financing

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Sometimes the most difficult of times, such as the challenges presented by COVID-19, also create unexpected opportunities.

This is true for buyers of ICI Homes in Pasco and Hillsborough counties. This premium builder has 12 inventory homes available now or in the next few months, including four cottage-style homes in its first Wesley Chapel neighborhood, Persimmon Park.

The two-story Primrose model is light and bright with lots of windows and exemplifies Florida’s casual lifestyle.

Not only does ICI Homes have a larger than usual inventory of unique one- and two-story homes, it is also selling homes in the high $200s for the first time in Tampa Bay.

“We are known as a premier, semi-custom builder, and typically build homes from the $400s to over $1 million. So to come into Wesley Chapel with moderately priced floor plans is very exciting for us, and more importantly for our customers who want our quality and craftsmanship in a smaller, more affordable home,” said Paula Spitler, Tampa sales manager for ICI Homes.

Almost as important as the quality and pricing of its homes, ICI Homes also is offering an exceptionally low interest rate of just 2.75% on 30-year mortgages, when using the builder’s preferred lenders.

“We call this our buy-down program, because a lower interest allows our buyers to increase their spending power, and more quickly build equity in their homes,” said Spitler.

“There are only a limited number of these special loans being allocated across our 20-plus communities in Florida, so please don’t wait. It’s first-come, first-served, and once these loans are gone, they’re gone,” said Spitler.

Many families are drawn to Persimmon Park because of its desirable Wesley Chapel location, and also because its students are zoned to the area’s highest rated schools — Wiregrass Elementary, Dr. John Long Middle and Wiregrass Ranch High.

“One of Persimmon Park’s biggest draws is the schools our students are zoned to attend,” said Spitler. “We have families moving from nearby subdivisions, such as Seven Oaks, that were recently rezoned to other schools. Many families want to keep their children enrolled in the schools they have traditionally attended or have been assigned to attend.”

Persimmon Park is located within the master-planned development of Wiregrass Ranch —located off Bruce B. Downs and Chancey Road, directly behind The Shops at Wiregrass and AdventHealth Wesley Chapel. Wiregrass Ranch is a 5,000-acre, walkable community with trails that lead to parks, schools, entertainment, recreation and top-notch medical facilities.

Persimmon Park is Wiregrass Ranch’s newest new home community, with ICI Homes committed to building 97 homes in this unique subdivision.

“Persimmon Park gives our residents immediate access to all that Wiregrass Ranch and Wesley Chapel have to offer,” said Spitler. “Plus, our amenities are everything a family wants without going overboard — a unique T-shaped pool and cabana, outdoor grilling, interconnecting trails, and dog parks for small and large breeds.”

ICI Homes is introducing its first neo-traditional homes in Persimmon Park, featuring open floor plans with front porches, and garages at the back of the home. The first phase has 40 homes on 40-foot home sites, and ICI is premiering five new floor plans with prices beginning at $292,900.

“Light and bright with lots of windows,” is how Spitler describes these floor plans, having a cottage look and feel that are open, airy, and exemplifies Florida’s casual lifestyle.

“These homes have been designed for people wanting to simplify their life, who want less square footage to clean and maintain, yet want all the upscale finishes and details offered by ICI Homes,” said Spitler.

Two beautifully furnished model homes are available for tour at Persimmon Park. The one-story Lantana model is the craftsman elevation and, at 1,793 square feet, features three bedrooms and two baths, with an open kitchen and unique breezeway for outdoor living.

The two-story Primrose model is the coastal elevation and, at 2,434 square feet, offers the master bedroom downstairs, and a game room and three additional bedrooms upstairs.

“Families love the rear-load design because it gives the home a very nice front elevation with no garage blocking the home’s curb appeal,” said Spitler. “Plus, rear garages make for easier access to the kitchen when it’s time to unload groceries, and also creates more backyard privacy with covered breezeways and summer kitchens.”

Model homes are open daily for tour, with or without an appointment. Sales staff strictly follow COVID-19 safety protocols and always make sure families tour models by themselves, without other people in the model.

Families also can tour the homes virtually, via video, at icihomes.com.

“Our 3D virtual tours allow you to view and walk through our homes at your own pace, right from your couch,” said Spitler. “You can move from point to point for a complete 360° view to get a sense of the home’s space, finishes, floor plan and measurements. It’s truly the next best thing to being there.”

Published April 29, 2020