The Laker/Lutz News

Tampa Bay Builders Association

Pasco updates its landscaping regulations

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The Pasco County Commission has amended the county’s land development code to update its landscaping regulations.

The changes address issues such as tree preservation and replacement, green space requirements and standards, landscaping, and buffering and plantings in rights of way in residential subdivisions.

Here’s a look at some of the key changes. The revisions:

  • Add the ability for development plans to utilize representative samples for tree removal,

subject to the county’s discretion

  • Remove the requirement to submit an Alternative Standard Application when using existing

trees/shrubs as part of the landscape buffer

  • Reduce the requirement that 70% of the landscape buffer be other than grass
  • Updated information relating to invasive species
  • Added a reference to “right tree, right place”
  • Made it easier to use existing vegetation for buffers
  • Defined “shade trees” and “ornamental trees”
  • Clarified when palm trees may be used
  • Updated ground cover planting requirements
  • Updated tree diversity requirements
  • Added language regarding the proper maintenance of trees
  • Added language about keeping future planting areas free of debris
  • Added requirement of one shade tree in the front yard of new single-family homes
  • Updated and clarified requirements regarding landscaping in vehicle use areas
  • Increased the size of require landscape islands. Previously, they had to be 8 feet wide; that has been increased to 10 feet.
  • Added requirements for large vehicle, vehicle use areas (VUA)
  • Clarified plantings adjacent to building perimeters
  • Revamped the Buffer Requirement Table.
  • Revamped the Buffer and Screening Requirements Table
  • Adjusted the Vehicle Dealership Buffer
  • Added standards for ponds adjacent to rights of way

The changes were recommended by a task force, made up of county staff, members of the Tampa Bay Builders Association, experts in landscape architecture, an arborist, and a representative from the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS)/Pasco County Cooperative Extension.

The group looked at some issues raised by TBBA, but a number of other items also surfaced during the review, according to Patrick Dutter, a planner for Pasco County.

One change deals with how tree replacements are calculated. Instead of measuring every tree on a project site, representative samples will be permitted — based on county approval.

The code also updates links to outside resources that had become outdated, Dutter said.

It also has a link to an invasive species list.

The tree list that had been presented as part of the code has been moved to the development review manual, so it can be updated on a timelier basis, Dutter said during a previous presentation on the changes.

Also, the cooperative extension representative and the tree arborist went through the list of trees, found the appropriate spacing requirements, called out where mitigation measures would be needed and where they wouldn’t be needed, Dutter added. The tree list calls out where different types of trees should be placed.

The issue of landscaping requirements has come up repeatedly during Pasco County Commission meetings, with Commission Chairwoman Kathryn Starkey and Commissioner Ron Oakley making persistent calls for changes that would promote better-looking development in Pasco.

Published May 11, 2022

Pasco looking to adopt updated landscaping regulations

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Pasco County is considering changes to update its landscaping code — addressing such issues as tree preservation and placements; landscaping and buffering; and planting in rights of way, in residential subdivisions.

Patrick Dutter, a county senior planner, explained the proposed changes to the Pasco County Planning Commission, during its April 7 meeting.

“Probably two years ago, now, we were asked by the Tampa Bay Builders Association (TBBA)  to look at amending some of our policies and our land development code, to clean up some items,” Dutter said.

A task force was formed, including county staff, TBBA representatives, experts in landscape architecture, an arborist, and a representative from the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS)/Pasco County Cooperative Extension.

The group looked at some issues raised by TBBA, but a number of other items also surfaced during the review.

One of the changes being proposed deals with how tree replacements are calculated, Dutter said.

Instead of measuring every tree on a project site, representative samples would be allowed, he said.

Dutter explained: “Let’s say you have a 100-acre project and there’s a whole bunch of trees on that. Someone has to go out and measure each individual tree, to figure out, OK, if you’re taking down trees, how many inches do you need to replace over time?

“That can be quite time-consuming.

“So, what we’ve done in the past is, we’ve allowed people to sample certain areas, with county approval,” Dutter said.

This change would allow the sampling to occur, without having to go through an Alternative Standards process.

The update also provides definitions for what constitutes a shade tree and what constitutes an ornamental tree, Dutter said.

It also addresses a requirement that said that 70% of buffers needed to have landscaping in them.

“Essentially, what that ended up doing is most of our buffers would have ground cover plantings and they would have mulch. Those ground covers generally don’t survive very long, so you’ve got most of your buffer basically being mulch and a little bit of landscaping,” Dutter said.

“We tweaked that requirement a little bit, too, rather than have that 70% rule, we added some additional landscaping, specifically in our buffering requirement,” he said.

The update also proposed a change in the vehicle dealership buffer.

“The original vehicle dealership buffer called for it to be 75 feet wide, which is quite a large buffer space,” Dutter said. “The code currently doesn’t even have a visual screening component for it, which is probably the most important thing you want, when  you’re having a vehicle dealership abutting a residential project.

“So, we shortened that buffer width and we added the visual screening component to it, as well. So, we kind of made that swap,” he said.

The proposed code also updates links to outside resources that had become outdated, Dutter said.

It also has a link to an invasive species list.

The tree list that had been presented as part of the code has been moved to the development review manual, so it can be updated on a timelier basis, Dutter added.

Also, the cooperative extension representative and the tree arborist went through the list of trees, found the appropriate spacing requirements, called out where mitigation measures would be needed and where they wouldn’t be needed, Dutter added. The tree list calls out where different types of trees should be placed.

Planning Commissioner Jamie Girardi applauded the task force’s work and resulting recommendations.

“I think this is a very thorough job, and I think there’s a lot of changes that are included in here that needed to be done and were probably long overdue,” he said. “And, I think it was a very good job, putting it together.”

But he also noted: “Simple changes with increases to landscape island widths have pretty substantial impacts.”

The ordinance will be adopted in coming weeks, he said.

“I have several clients out there that purchased property and we’re ongoing in preparing construction plans, and frankly, I don’t know if we can beat those dates,” he said.

Dutter explained the rationale for the change to the planning board.

 “Our current dimension for those islands that we’re talking about is 8 feet wide.

“We spent some time putting together our tree list with our arborist and landscape experts. Most trees to be successful need a little bit more room than that. So, we bumped up that island width from being 8 feet wide to being 10 feet wide, just to give it a little bit room,” Dutter said.

Girardi responded: “Admittedly, the 8-foot width limits what you can actually plant in those islands.”

The issue of landscaping requirements has come up repeatedly during Pasco County Commission meetings, with Commission Chairwoman Kathryn Starkey and Commissioner Ron Oakley making persistent calls for changes that would promote better-looking development in Pasco.

The Pasco County Planning Commission voted to recommend the proposed changes be adopted. The Pasco County Commission has final jurisdiction on planning and land use matters.

Proposed changes to the Pasco County landscaping code would:

  • Enable representative samples to be taken, on a property relating to requirements involving calculating requirements relating to tree removal, subject to the county’s discretion
  • Remove the requirement to submit an Alternative Standard Application, when making use of existing trees and shrubs, as part of the landscape buffer.
  • Reduce the requirement that 70% of the buffer be non-grassed
  • Add language that addresses “right tree, right place”
  • Define shade trees
  • Define ornamental trees
  • Clarify the use of palm trees
  • Update ground cover planting requirements
  • Update tree diversity requirements
  • Add language about the proper maintenance of trees
  • Add language about keeping future planting areas free of debris
  • Add a requirement of one shade tree in the front yard of single-family homes
  • Update and clarify requirements in vehicle use areas
  • Require landscape islands to be 10 feet wide (they were previously required to be 8 feet wide)
  • Add requirements for large vehicle use areas (VUA)
    • Clarify plantings adjacent to building perimeters
    • Revamp the Buffer Requirement Table
    • Revamp the Buffer and Screening Requirements Table
    • Adjust the Vehicle Dealership Buffer
    • Add standards for ponds adjacent to rights of way
  • Changes the order of some chapters and moves some elements into the land development manual, which is updated more frequently.

Source: April 7 agenda materials for the Pasco County Planning Commission

Published April 20, 2022

Mattamy Homes’ Highest Priority Is Its Homeowners

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Mattamy Homes — the largest, privately owned homebuilder in North America — prides itself on giving exceptional customer service to its residents and offering them a meticulously-planned, quality community to live in.

This industry-leading homebuilder recently was awarded Community of the Year (multi-family) and Community of the Year (single-family under 500 units) for Parkview at Long Lake Ranch, along with Best Floor Plan (2000-2999 sq. ft.) for the Elm at Parkview at Long Lake Ranch, at the 2021 Tampa Bay Builders Association Awards of Excellence held in November.

Volanti’s amenities will include a resort-style swimming pool with an open-air pavilion, a barbecue area and a fire pit.

“It’s a huge honor to receive that recognition from the industry and our peers,” says Kathleen Dec, Director of Marketing at Mattamy Homes.

Residents of Parkview at Long Lake Ranch, like Maira Ortiz, couldn’t agree more with the recognition given to Mattamy Homes.

“It feels very safe, family-oriented and comfortable living here,” says Ortiz, “It’s been a great experience so far.”

Ortiz, her husband and their two kids have lived in the Seville model for a little over one year now.

One of the selling features about Parkview for Ortiz was the proximity to everything in the local area.

“You make a right and you’re in Wesley Chapel, you make a left and you’re in Tampa,” says Ortiz, “It’s a great central location.”

Parkview at Long Lake Ranch is located along State Road 54, close to U.S. 41 and Sunlake Boulevard, in Lutz. The community offers single-family homes and townhomes that are available for sale, and six decorated model homes that are open daily for touring.

Husband and wife duo Fernando Vidal Otero and Verónica Negrón Mieles also live in Parkview and purchased the Venice townhome back in late November 2020.

The couple says they loved all the features that came with the home design.

“There is a guest room on the first floor that is in front of a full bathroom, so you can have guests come over and they can have their own separate space,” says Negrón Mieles.

“Plus, the back of the house has a view of the pond, so it’s very nice and relaxing.”

The couple and Ortiz all give a glowing review to Mattamy Homes for its exceptional customer service through the building process.

“Our agent was with us the whole process. That was one of the best things to happen during the process,” says Otero, “And our builder was very communicative about the progress of the home. He was great.”

“They [Mattamy Homes] are very accommodating and willing to help you every step of the way,” says Ortiz, “I just felt like they really cared.”

Last month, Parkview opened a new amenity center, called Parkview Pavilion, that features a resort-style pool, shaded breezeway, cabanas and social gathering areas.

Residents of this gated community also can enjoy another outdoor gathering area that includes hammocks, a comfortable seating area, cornhole and a dog park.

“People of all ages are enjoying it,” says Dec, “It was really important for us to create  gathering areas in the community that homeowners can use for a variety of activities, recreation or just relaxing.

Dec really hopes these new amenities bring a new sense of community.

“That’s exactly what they’re designed to do,” says Dec.

Townhomes Now Open in Wesley Chapel
Nearby in Wesley Chapel, Mattamy Homes has opened four new decorated model townhomes with contemporary exterior styling in its all-new l community of Volanti, located on Wesley Chapel Boulevard at Hay Road. Models are professionally decorated and open for tours daily, with private personalized appointments available.

Volanti is the debut of Mattamy Homes’ new contemporary exterior style of townhomes.

Four floor plans are available, ranging from 1,667 to 2,574 square feet, with three to four bedrooms and 2.5 to three baths. There are three exterior styles available at Volanti — Craftsman, French Country and Contemporary. Base pricing begins in the low to mid $300s.

“Volanti is the debut of our new Contemporary exterior style of townhomes, designed to offer a more modern, fresher look,” said Lisette Minnick, the homebuilder’s Tampa & Southwest Florida Division vice president of sales.

Four distinct floor plans are available at Volanti — Marianna, Ormond, Sebring and Venice. All have one- or two-car attached garages and large lanais.

The gated community will have 200 homes at build out, and fun-filled, family friendly amenities, including a resort-style swimming pool with an open-air pavilion, a barbecue area and a fire pit. Construction on the amenities began in October, and Mattamy Homes expects to have them completed by early summer.

Making the community even more attractive is free lawn maintenance and no Community Development District (CDD) fees. Townhomes are released for sale regularly, but home offerings may be limited for a temporary time frame, due to the current high demand for homes, and labor and material constraints.

Located just 4 miles from Interstate 75, Volanti boasts excellent access to the best of the Wesley Chapel area, including premier shopping and dining destinations.

Citron Grove Coming Soon
Mattamy Homes recently announced that it also is building 60 new townhomes in Citrus Park, on Gunn Highway, called Citron Grove. The Craftsman-style townhomes will have two floor plans available — the Marianna and Ormond. Pre-sales will begin in February. Citron Grove is just 1.5 miles from the Veterans Expressway, 2 miles from Citrus Park Mall, and 12 miles from Tampa’s Westshore Business District and International Airport. The gated community, which was formerly Be Mac Nursery, will offer low-maintenance living, value-oriented price points and outstanding schools. Interested parties should register for updates on the website.

About Mattamy Homes
Mattamy Homes is North America’s largest privately-owned homebuilder, with over 40 years of experience building homes across the United States and Canada. From the beginning, our vision and promise has remained the same: to build thoughtfully designed homes and communities that reflect the needs of the families living in them, ensuring a lifetime of happiness for each. Mattamy Homes is proud to build homes for more than 8,000 families each year.

Mattamy Homes operates in eleven markets across the United States, with headquarters in Orlando, Florida. Other markets include Naples, Sarasota, Tampa, Jacksonville, Southeast Florida, Charlotte, Raleigh, Dallas, Phoenix and Tucson. In Canada, Mattamy communities can be found across the greater Toronto area and Ottawa, Calgary, and Edmonton.

Visit MattamyHomes.com or see a Mattamy New Home Counselor for further details and important legal disclaimers.  This is not an offer in states where registration is required. Void where prohibited by law.

For more information about all of Mattamy Homes’ local communities, go to MattamyHomes.com/florida/tampa.

Published December 29, 2021

Parkview Sebring
Parkview Myrtle
Parkview Myrtle
Volanti Sebring

Designing a better Pasco County

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As Pasco County’s rampant growth continues, the Pasco County Commission has been calling for changes to the land development code that would address aesthetic issues.

They’ve been hashing over the topic, off and on, for months.

Commission Chairman Ron Oakley put it like this, at a recent meeting: “We need to be real careful about what we allow our developers to do — make sure that they’re (doing) the right thing for Pasco County.”

These laborers are working on a project in Zephyrhills. Commissioner Kathryn Starkey says that Zephyrhills has some architectural design requirements, and Pasco County should, too. (Fred Bellet)

Oakley has repeatedly voiced concerns about neighborhoods made up of houses on 40-lots noting there’s little room for landscaping.

“We’ve been rural for many, many years,” Oakley said. “We really do not want to destroy the nature of what we have in Pasco County, and yet, we do want to grow and have jobs for our citizens, and do the right thing for our citizens.”

Commissioner Kathryn Starkey has pushed for greater attention to design details, as the county’s building boom continues.

“If you go and drive and find a 40-foot front-loaded street, it’s just a driveway, garage and a door.

“If you drive down a street where they’re rear-loaded on 40-foot, it’s a porch and grass, and it’s very nice.

“You can see it in Starkey Ranch, you can see it Longleaf, you might see it in Asturia. In Bexley, I know, you see it,” she said.

“I’m not opposed to 40-foot lots. I’m opposed to 40-foot front-loaded lots and only 40-foot, and the house is cookie-cutter and there’s no architectural elements on it,” Starkey said.

Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey wants more attention paid to architectural detail, in future housing developments in Pasco. (File)

“This is an issue that I think needs to be addressed soon. I don’t want 10,000 homes to be approved before we fix this,” Starkey told her colleagues, during a board session.

“I get that our development community needs to understand what we’re looking for.

“When I’ve been meeting with developers, I let them know, that I am very loathe to approve a 40s-only development (40-foot lots).

“I need some better landscaping in front of homes. I need a mixture of 40s, 50s, 60s (lots). I need better architectural details on the sides and the front. I need more rear-loaded 40-foots.

“I want to be fair to the development community. They need to understand what the rules are, or when someone buys a piece of land (what to expect),” Starkey said.

Commissioner Jack Mariano agreed: “We don’t want to build slums for the future. You know, density is sometimes overrated — how good it can be. If the lots are a little bigger, it makes it more comfortable.

“It’s a worthy conversation to bring forward at some meeting coming up,” Mariano said.

County Administrator Dan Biles told the county board that planning staff has drafted some potential conditions that could be added to master-planned unit developments to address concerns that commissioners have been raising — regarding smaller lots, the lack of landscaping on the front, parking and other issues.

Nectarios Pittos, the county’s director of planning and development, is meeting individually with commissioners to discuss the issues.

Biles noted: “Your focus has been on those single-family small lots, of 40-foot, but we thought through what that looks like on the townhome perspective, too. You need to think about both of those discussions. Your front-loaded townhome, you have the same types of issues, as you have with the small 40-foot lots.”

Pasco County Commission Chairman Ron Oakley wants to avoid subdivisions made up of 40-foot lots, noting they don’t have enough room for landscaping.

Starkey told her colleagues: “The city of Zephyrhills and Dade City require some architectural details, and we don’t. And, so, we are getting … windows and a door and a roof.”

Pittos said, when the driveways are rear-loaded, “you can talk about fenestration: How many windows you want to see. Where to place the door — keep it on the front of the house, instead of on the side of the house. A porch.”

Starkey said “there can be a smorgasbord of architectural details” that can be added, that are not expensive.

“We don’t want to see what we’re getting. We want to see better,” Starkey said.

As the county board considers changes to the land development code, Jennifer Motsinger, executive vice president of the Tampa Bay Builders Association, is encouraging the board to look at updates that can streamline the development review process.

In an interview with The Laker/Lutz News, Motsinger said that the cost of a home is made up of four components: Land, materials, local regulations and labor.

Some regulations in Pasco’s land development code have stymied ongoing efforts to streamline the development review process, Motsinger said.

She also noted there’s a need to balance the desire for a particular type of aesthetic with the need for affordable housing.

“Every single one of the suggestions that are being made (by commissioners) can be accommodated for a price. For a price,” Motsinger said.

“We have to make sure that there is a balance of options for folks,” she said. “We have to be careful that we are not trying to legislate to a particular type of buyer.

“One of the reasons you would do a neighborhood with just 40 (40-foot lots) is to get that more-affordable product,” Motsinger said.

She also addressed the issue of requiring homes with 40-foot lots to be backloaded.

“That trend is not in high demand. Because, guess what? Kids want a backyard to play in,” she said.

She said the building industry will be paying close attention to proposed changes and will want to weigh in on them.

“We have to be careful that our local government doesn’t have too much power to say how we live in our homes and what our homes look like,” Motsinger said.

Published December 01, 2021

Pasco County is breaking growth records

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Pasco County’s growth has been so rapid that its staff can’t keep up with it — prompting the county to budget for additional positions to address the increasing development.

The county plans to add 10 staff members to its planning and development department, two positions in code enforcement and 14 positions in building construction services during the next fiscal year.

This is an apartment development off State Road 54, in Land O’ Lakes, that was under construction last year. It’s just one sign of a flourishing building market in Pasco County. (File)

“The county is experiencing unprecedented growth at this time. And, a lot of that growth impacts our branch, directly,” Sally Sherman, assistant county administrator for development services said, during a presentation at the Pasco County Commission’s Sept. 15 meeting.

“As we strive to meet the demands of the customers for which we serve, we are also looking to — ‘How are we doing, and can we do it better?’— all of the time.

Along those lines, the branch’s staff put together a survey to gauge its performance, and to identify its strengths and weaknesses.

“The survey went out to over 6,000 customers and those individuals who have literally had interactions with the branch.

It received 644 responses, and of those 517 came from individuals who’d had interactions with the branch within the past year.

“This is the first-ever survey that has been conducted to try and gauge where we are as a branch and the services,” Sherman said.

“What we see this is — an opportunity to set a benchmark, as to where we are, and as we continue to make improvements, how we’re doing. This is anticipated to be conducted annually,” Sherman added.

All of the new people moving into Pasco County are generating a demand for retail and restaurant uses.

“The survey captured percentage ratings of various processes that our department offers.

“It rated everything from very satisfied to not satisfied.

Satisfaction ratings, out of a possible 100%:

  • Planning and development department: 64%
  • Building Construction Services: 72%
  • Code Enforcement: 67%
  • Office of Economic Growth: 73%

Those taking the survey also were able to submit comments, which yielded additional information for the department, Sherman said. She added: “We’re going to be looking at those in detail and following up with individuals.

Volume is up in everything, from calls coming into the department, to site plans under review, to proactive code enforcement actions, to permits being pulled, Sherman said.

The county has 422 active site plan reviews currently under consideration, she said.

“With our site plan review process, we have pre-application meetings for those. And, right now, those are slated out to January with the number of requests we are receiving for reviews.”

Sherman also addressed the volume being handled by the building construction services department.

“New single-family home permits, as you know, have taken off in Pasco County.

“In 2020, there were 5,741 new homes issued,” she said, adding at that time it was taking nearly 23 days to process a new single-family residential permit.

So much residential growth happened in the Bexley subdivision, off of State Road 54, in Central Pasco, that an additional classroom wing was needed at the elementary school soon after the school opened.

Over the last eight months, the department has issued 6,317 new single-family home permits, processing them in an average of 8.5 days.

“This is due in part to a great team, working extremely hard, looking for innovative ways to improve service,” Sherman said.

In working with the Tampa Bay Builders Association, the county was aiming for a 10-day turn-around for single-family permits, Sherman said.

“As you can see, we have met that goal and we’ve exceeded that goal. I’m hoping with the changes that we are continuing to make that we will continue to exceed that goal.”

In the arena of commercial permitting, the county is currently embarking on a major effort to streamline its processes, Sherman said.

“We have a team that’s very innovative and ready to seek change to make things better for our customers,” she said.

The county’s inspectors also have been very busy, Sherman said.

“Over the last eight months of this year, they have conducted over 202,000 inspections,” she said.

Ultimately, the county’s new development is expected to result in a $2 billion expansion to the county’s tax roll, Sherman said.

Continually seeking ways to improve
Sherman thanked her staff for its dedication and hard work.

“I see them in the mornings, when I walk in at 6:30, going into the office to start work. They’re not going in early to leave early, but are going in early to meet customer needs.

Santander is one of the businesses that has taken advantage of Pasco County’s economic development efforts, which entices employers to provide good jobs.

“We see them on the weekends, coming into work, to meet the needs of our customers.

“They are extremely, extremely dedicated team members.

“And, as we continue to serve the community, in keeping with our strategic plan to create a better community, a better future for all of those involved, we want to continue to do that with integrity, respect, service innovation and service excellence.”

Commissioner Jack Mariano praised Sherman for demonstrating her initiative in conducting a survey about the branch’s work.

“You’ve got a baseline to work with now,” Mariano said.

Commissioner Kathryn Starkey zeroed in on the amount of time it takes to get a pre-application meeting.

“What can we do in the short term to shorten that time. I think we’re up to four months to get a pre-app meeting. Is there anything we can do to help that?”

Sherman said efforts are being made to improve that part of the county’s process.

Starkey followed up: “Is it more planners that we need?”

“We are getting more planners,” Sherman said. “But we are taking a look at how we can streamline the process. We’re looking at it in detail right now.”

Nectarios Pittos, director of planning and development, told Starkey:  “It’s a logistical issue, not just with the planning and development department, but also with all of the other departments that participate in the process with us.

“So, yes, you could add, theoretically, more planners to address the pre-application, but you’d also have to double up the other positions in the departments that participate in the process, just to get more than eight or nine pre-apps that we can do per week.”

Commission Chairman Ron Oakley told Sherman: “I appreciate everything you are doing Sally, you’ve made the department stronger and better, and moving forward.

“We want to do it the right way, but we want to continue to streamline, and get it faster and quicker through the system.

“If we were not having so many projects, it would be different, but we’ve got them piled up,” Oakley said.

Published September 29, 2021

Strong housing outlook predicted through 2021

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Experts speaking during the 2021 Tampa Bay Builders Association virtual Economic Forecast predicted a bright picture of this year’s housing market — both locally and nationally.

“We have a very bullish outlook for 2021,” said Lesley Deutch, managing principal at John Burns Real Estate Consulting.

“Usually, we’re a little bit more on the pessimistic side,” said Deutch, whose company is a combined research and consulting company. But, she added: “The outlook is very, very strong.”

Tampa recovered immediately in the housing market and in relocations, Deutch said.

“Tampa, I have to say, since the beginning of COVID, has been sort of the outlier, in a very positive way. It really outshone almost all of the other markets in the country.”

“Single-family permits are rising,” she said, noting they’re up by 8%.

“Builders are selling out of their current communities and that’s really going to slow the sales pace,” she added.

The real estate expert also noted the Tampa market has a low inventory in both new homes and in resale homes.

For instance, there’s just a 1.2 months of supply in the resale market, she said.

“That’s virtually nothing. That’s driven by demand from people moving to Tampa, moving around Tampa. But, it’s also driven by investor demand,” she said.

Big national companies are coming in and buying all of the resale inventory in Tampa, fixing it up and putting it back on the market as rentals, she said.

“You can guess what that leaves us with — some pretty rapid price appreciation,” she said.

“The resale market is really starting to appreciate because there’s just no supply on the market. In fact, it’s coming pretty close to the new home, which is around $294,000 right now,” Deutch said.

That would seem to create a major crunch in affordability, she said.

But, Tampa remains relatively affordable because the Federal Housing Administration recently raised its loan limits to $356,000 in Tampa, plus mortgage interest rates are low, she said.

Deutch also noted: “There is demand on all levels, not only in Tampa, but across the Southeast.”

Deutch also offered a sunny outlook in the national housing market, and she attributes part of that to an increasing optimism that the vaccines for COVID-19 will allow the country to return to normal by the end of the year.

Her 2021 housing forecast for the United States projects an 8% appreciation in resale home price appreciation — far above the consensus forecast of about 3%.

“We actually believe that resale price appreciation could trend even higher, due mostly to investor activity, as well as homebuyer activity,” she said.

Her company also projects a 9% appreciation in new home prices.

“That’s really driven by that tremendous lack of supply, and the need to drive down sales activity, so construction can catch up,” Deutch said.

On the rental side, the projection is for effective rents to decline 5% on the national level, but she noted this doesn’t apply in the Tampa market.

The national decline in apartment rents, she said, “is primarily driven by the urban markets that are really seeing some serious rent declines at this point.”

On the other hand, single-family rentals are projected to have a 3% increase in rents, and there may even be some upside potential there, she said.

Nationally, the forecast is for 7% new home sales growth, and 9% single-permit family permits and starts, she said. The consensus projection is higher, but she said that’s based more on a supply issue than on demand.

While Deutch focused on the housing market, Brent Schutte, chief investment strategist with Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company, talked primarily about the economic outlook for 2021.

Schutte is a frequent expert commentator on national news outlets including CNBC, The Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg.

He told those listening in that “the market is painting a picture that 2021 is going to be much brighter than 2020, economically.

“I think the reason the market has been able to shake off some of this bad news is because it doesn’t believe it’s permanent. It does see a political system that will endure. It sees an economy that has largely adapted to COVID,” he said.

“Most importantly, it does see vaccines that are coming in 2021 and that will get all of those people who are impacted right now, hopefully, back to work in 2021,” he added.

The fiscal stimulus will play an important role, too, he said.

Painting a broad picture, Schutte said, “we do see in 2021 a U.S. and global economy that will be operating on all cylinders of growth, for really the first time since somewhere late 2017, early 2018.”

He projected fast economic growth, somewhere between 5% and 6%, in 2021, early 2022.

“And, the growth is going to be broad, which is important from a market perspective,” he added.

“On a national basis, at least based on the data that I have, housing still remains very affordable,” Schutte said.

He also touched on politics.

“While the Democrats do have control of all three chambers, I think it’s important that it is still pretty much a divided government,” he said.

With the margin of control slim, he said “I’m not thinking there’s going to be a huge progressive tax increase” later this year.

He also advised: “You should never overweigh politics in your investing outlook. It is one variable to look at, but only one.

“Presidents and administrations are pluses or minuses to economic growth in the U.S., not absolute positives or negatives.

“What happens during a president’s term is much more determined by when they take over in the business cycle.

“Do they take over early in the business cycle? Do they take over mid-business cycle, or do they take over late business cycle? As you might expect, the ones who take over early in the business cycle typically preside over the highest market returns,” Schutte said.

Housing forecast Tampa*
2021 forecast

  • Employment in Tampa: up 1.9%, for a gain of 25,700 jobs
  • Median income: $57,000, relatively flat
  • Affordability: 9.1, on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being most unaffordable
  • Construction: Total permits down 1.5%, driven by the multifamily side of the market; single-family permits up 6.5%.
  • New home volume: Up 5% to 7%
  • Median new home appreciation: Up 9%
  • Resale market: Up 7%
  • Apartment rent: Down 4.3%; single-family rent: Up 3.4%

Housing trends, these are here to stay:

  • Build-for-rent: 700-square-foot 1-bedroom units and 1,000-square-foot 2-bedroom units
  • Work from home: Homes with extra room for work space
  • Multi-gen living: From room for a mother-in-law to adult children, the demand for shared living spaces is expected going forward.
  • Outdoor living: COVID has raised awareness regarding the competitive advantage of outdoor living spaces, at your home and within communities.

* Tampa projections include Pasco, Hernando, Hillsborough and Pinellas counties.

Source: Lesley Deutch, managing principal John Burns Real Estate Consulting

Published January 27, 2021

Pasco board keeps door open for more AmSkills funding

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The Pasco County Commission recently approved the expenditure of $125,000 to support AmSkills Inc., a youth and adult workforce training program.

Plus, commissioners kept the door open for additional funding in future years for the organization — at the urging of County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey.

Commissioners had been set to consider the $125,000 request during their Nov. 17 meeting on the board’s consent agenda. When items are on that portion of the agenda, they are approved in a single motion — unless a commissioner or member of the public asks for the item to be pulled for discussion.

Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey is a staunch advocate for jobs training programs, particularly those that help people learn skills to equip them for good-paying jobs. (File)

Starkey requested the AmSkills issue be pulled because she objected to a phrase in the proposed approval that would have precluded the organization from seeking additional future operating funds from the county.

“I think it’s a mistake to put something that we can never ask for operating funds again,” Starkey told her colleagues.

“I just ask that we keep it at the $125,000, and then see what happens next year, but don’t put something that hamstrings anyone in perpetuity, because what we’re doing with workforce training and helping people get great jobs is amazing,” she said.

She also informed board members that AmSkills is moving from its location, which had been provided by Pasco County Schools, to its own building next year.

She said it also plans to expand its training program, and has been contacted by the Tampa Bay Builders Association, Withlacoochee Electric Co., and others to help set up training programs for them.

She noted that the jobs training program is gaining national recognition for its programs, but noted the county’s funding is the only funding that can be used 100% for operating costs.

“When you get grants, most of the time it’s for capital or specific things, but not operating,” Starkey said.

David Engel, manager of Pasco County’s office of economic growth, told commissioners that in general, the county triples to quadruples its return on investment when it spends money on programs that create jobs.

Engel also noted that “the work program that was submitted by AmSkills deals specifically with electronics and machining. They are working now with the Tampa Bay Builders Association on a very important trades program.”

Starkey said the new location will be advantageous for AmSkills and for people who need workforce training.

“They’re expanding their electrical program,” Starkey said.

Plus, AmSkills is making a move toward creating an innovation training center that will help other industries,” she said.

So, she urged the board: “Let’s leave the door open, and then we can judge it next year, if there’s a request.”

Starkey made a motion to that effect, which was seconded by Oakley and approved on a 5-0 vote.

In another action, the board passed a resolution recognizing national apprenticeship week and congratulated Justyn Bowes, who was named AmSkills apprentice of the year last year.

Bowes was so busy in his work he wasn’t able to receive the award last year, so he received it during the board’s meeting, in a presentation that was shared with commissioners via Zoom.

Bowes was one of the first high school students that started with AmSkills in 2015. He went to work as an apprentice in 2018, and at the age of 22, he travels extensively installing multimillion machines at key PharmaWorks locations.

“Justyn is a great example of how apprenticeships work,” said Peter Buczynsky, of PharmaWorks, in Odessa. “This is the model for the future, in growing our talent.”

Starkey noted: “We are now only one of two registered apprenticeship programs in the state of Florida. We were the first.”

Buczynsky added: “The nation is really looking to see what we’re doing here in Pasco County. It’s really impressive.”

“What a great opportunity that we have — a 22-year-old Pasco resident who is now traveling the world. It just chokes me up,” Starkey said.

Published December 09, 2020

Top Parade of Homes Awards For ICI Homes

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It’s always exciting for a builder to be recognized in a community’s Parade of Homes competition, but this year ICI Homes outdid itself by winning two of the most prestigious awards in Tampa Bay.

In early March, a total of 79 homes were entered in the Parade of Homes from a variety of builders and developers, in the competition organized by the Tampa Bay Builders Association. And, once again, ICI Homes — a relatively new builder in the Tampa market — was chosen to receive two of its top honors.

The top award went to its Costa Mesa model in Asturia, a master-planned community in Odessa where ICI Homes has been building for the past three years. The Costa Mesa was honored with the Grand Award in the $600k-$649k price range — one of the most competitive categories in the Parade of Homes.

This 2,565-square-foot model home is absolutely stunning. A huge kitchen and extra-large island sets apart this spacious, one-story home that features four bedrooms, three baths and a three-car garage. One of its most unique features is a closet-size, walk-in pantry that is hidden behind beautiful kitchen cabinetry.

The builder’s second big win is for its Lantana model, which won a Silver Award in the $350k-$399k price range. This 1,800-square-foot home is one of six new floor plans that ICI Homes is introducing in Persimmon Park, a brand new community in Wesley Chapel within the master-planned development of Wiregrass Ranch.

The Lantana model at Persimmon Park in Wesley Chapel won a Silver Award at the recent Tampa Bay Parade of Homes.

Located off Bruce B. Downs Boulevard and 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 gives our residents immediate access to all that Wiregrass Ranch and Wesley Chapel have to offer,” said Rosemary Messina, vice president of marketing and sales. “And, adding to the community’s appeal are amenities that families want, but without going overboard — a unique T-shaped pool and cabana, outdoor grilling, interconnecting trails, and dog parks for small and large breeds.”

The winning Lantana floor plan has a spacious kitchen/great room, with a large dining room and open flex room connecting to the kitchen. The master bedroom is at the rear of the home to give easy access to the garage, covered lanai and main living area. The one-story model is the craftsman elevation and, at 1,793 square feet, also offers two bedrooms and a bath at the front of the home.

All of ICI Homes in Persimmon Park have open floor plans with front porches, and garages and alleys at the back of the home. The first phase has 40 homes, with prices beginning in the high $200s.

Light and bright with lots of windows is how Messina describes the cottage-style floor plans at Persimmon Park. “Our plans feel open and airy, and exemplify Florida’s casual lifestyle,” she says. “These homes are 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.”

Inventory Homes In Asturia
In Asturia, ICI Homes has four inventory homes that are ready now or will be available soon. Two homes are of the award-winning Costa Mesa floor plan and one is a two-story Palisade. A one-story Arden will soon be completed.

“All of our floor plans are perfect for entertaining,” said Messina. “Our gathering rooms, gourmet kitchens and dining rooms blend together as one expansive space, highlighted by lots of windows that capture tons of natural light.”

ICI Homes has over 25 homesites remaining in Asturia, with many backing up to conservation and water. Prices begin in the high $300s. This 550-home community includes a unique trail system that winds through wetlands, parks and neighborhoods, and an award-winning Amenity Center that is known for its zero-entry pool, contemporary community center and state-of-the-art fitness center.

Bexley Showpiece
This is the last chance to buy an ICI Home in the first phase of Bexley, a master-planned community in Land O’ Lakes with thousands of acres of preserved wetlands, miles of recreational trails and a great location off State Road 54 and the Suncoast Parkway.

The builder’s Egret VII inventory home is one of the most beautiful and functional move-in ready homes available in Bexley. This one-story, four-bedroom, three-bath home has 2,813 square feet of living space, and features luxury finishes, an extended lanai, deluxe kitchen, huge gathering room and, at the home’s grand entrance, a large dining room and flex room. Separate from its side-entry two-car garage is a tandem garage ideal for a compact car, golf cart or storage.

This beautiful home sits on a 70-foot corner homesite in one of Bexley’s most prestigious neighborhoods, located close to the clubhouse and pools.

Published June 24, 2020

Tiny House Program Builds Construction Opportunities for Area Students

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A tiny house is opening doors to a world of opportunities for area students, thanks to a hands-on homebuilding initiative between a high school magnet program and the Sales & Marketing Council of the Tampa Bay Builders Association.

Students at the Center for Construction Technologies, a magnet school in St. Petersburg, work side-by-side with TBBA members, who mentor students and demonstrate construction trade skills.

“This program provides us with a tremendous opportunity to educate students about our industry, the joy of providing a home to a family and, of course, the many career opportunities in home construction,” says Scott Campbell, a former TBBA president.

Members of the Tampa Bay Builders Association helped build a tiny home with high school students to encourage and support careers in skilled trades. Helping paint the home is Terri Williams (wearing blue) of The Laker/Lutz News and Lauren Morgan.

The program was established in 2018 when TBBA members recognized the immense need to encourage and support careers in skilled trades for high school students and young adults.

“Students relate what they learn in the textbook to what they see during the field experience,” says Lincoln Yates, assistant principal of the magnet school. “They’re attentive and ask great questions.”

“The Tiny House Project is a great opportunity to help our local youth while also helping our industry,” says Michael Kramer, vice president at Sharp Design Studio Architecture, which donated design plans for the program’s tiny house.

“Finding talent is always challenging, and anything we can do as an industry to promote jobs and provide proper training will set them up for success,” Kramer says. “This kind of engagement has the potential to lead to full-time jobs for these students, and hopefully a full-fledged career.”

The Tiny House Project also benefits the local economy, says Jennifer Motsinger, executive vice president of TBBA.

“We are providing an alternative housing product that is sustainable, portable and affordable, and when it’s all done will be enjoyed by homeowners for years to come,” says Motsinger.

Over the past seven months, the 28-foot custom tiny home was built by Tampa Bay area skilled-trade professionals, interior designers and suppliers, while actively teaching and mentoring the 123 students participating in the program.

TBBA members donated over 80% of the supplies and labor, and the remaining materials were purchased through monetary donations.

The Laker/Lutz News was one of the TBBA members involved in the project from its inception, through the leadership of Terri Williamson, senior account manager for the newspaper. Williamson is the president elect of the Sales & Marketing Council, which presented a $10,500 check to help finance the Tiny House Project.

“The tiny house capstone project has allowed us to better prepare our students for college, career and life, by bringing student apprenticeship opportunities into our classroom. Students have had the opportunity to hear from the various trade professionals, work alongside them and gain valuable experience and insights that would have otherwise not been possible,” says Assistant Principal Yates.

The tiny house will be showcased at a future Suncoast Tiny House Festival. Funds generated from the home’s sale will support the magnet program for years to come.

For more information about this project, please visit TBBAtinyhouse.com, where you can see a full list of participating companies.

Published March 25, 2020

Don’t Miss ICI Homes’ Statewide Open Houses This Sunday

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Visit Asturia, Bexley or FishHawk Ranch to Win $500

Area residents looking for a new home are fortunate to have one of Florida’s most unique semi-custom builders, ICI Homes of Daytona Beach, building in Tampa Bay’s most in-demand communities — Asturia in Odessa, Bexley in Land O’ Lakes and FishHawk Ranch in Lithia.

And now, for the first time ever, move-in ready ICI homes in these communities are participating in a company-wide, statewide sale this weekend that offers buyers some of its lowest prices ever, along with unique design features and options not available with other builders.

To celebrate this year-end pricing, the ICI Homes Statewide Open House is Sunday, Nov. 10 from noon to 4 p.m. Families visiting during open house hours are eligible to win a $500 gift card by registering when they tour a quick-delivery showcase home.

“If you haven’t yet had the opportunity to visit one of our models, this is the weekend to make that happen,” said Ron Ferguson, division manager for ICI Homes. “Many of our showcase homes are ready now, and you could be living in one of these homes by the first of the year.”

In the Pasco communities of Asturia and Bexley, five showcase homes are available, including the Serena, which was the builder’s model home in Asturia’s Phase II. This innovative, one-story home has four bedrooms and three baths on a deep conservation lot. For families wanting a turn-key home, the model’s professionally decorated, high-end furnishings are available.

Also ready now in Asturia is the Arden, another four-bedroom, three-bath home on a conservation lot that also offers a separate dining room and a full three-car garage. This one-story home is located in a secluded area in the back of the community.

The Costa Mesa is another one-story showcase home with four bedrooms and three baths, and features the same floor plan as the builder’s new model in Asturia. It is being built on a conservation lot that overlooks a pristine lake near the front on the community.

“The reception to our new Costa Mesa model has been overwhelming,” said Ferguson. “People absolutely love its huge kitchen and its extra-large island, which is a standard feature in this home. Plus, the model’s closet-size, walk-in pantry, which is cleverly hidden behind cabinetry, is a standout feature that everyone wants.”

One-story homes are always in demand because of the natural flow from one room to the next, and the convenience of having everything on the same level. It is the preferred floor plan for all kinds of families — young professionals just starting out, those with young and school-aged children, and couples who are downsizing.

“ICI Homes offers more one-story plans than other builders in our price range,” said Ferguson. “Plus, we give buyers the ability to customize their floor plans to meet their special needs and satisfy their secret desires. Most production builders do not allow for structural changes, and this is something we gladly do for our customers.”

A Costa Mesa showcase home also is available for tour in Bexley, another master-planned community located just a few miles east of Asturia, off State Road 54 in Land O’ Lakes. Located on a large, 70-foot interior lot, this home is the lowest price of all Costa Mesa showcase homes.

For families looking for a larger home, a two-story Santa Maria is underway in Asturia, and features a first-floor master suite, and three bedrooms and a game room on the second floor. The home has three-and-a-half baths and a three-car garage, with one space designed as a tandem garage.

FishHawk Ranch in south Hillsborough County is home to ICI Homes’ award-winning home, the Shenandoah —a three-time grand showcase winner in the Parade of Homes sponsored by the Tampa Bay Builders Association. This unique plan is over 3,000 square feet and includes a detached garage with studio apartment, and is the only ICI showcase home open for tour this weekend in Hillsborough County.

ICI Homes’ models are open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday; and noon to 6 p.m., on Sunday. The sales center for Asturia and Bexley is at 2112 Secret Cove in Odessa, and in FishHawk Ranch at 13925 Lake FishHawk Drive in Lithia. For more information, visit ICIHomes.com, or call (813) 252-1108.

ICI Homes builds primarily in master-planned communities with beautiful homes sites, excellent schools and expansive amenities that promote an active lifestyle. The privately held company was established in 1980, has built over 4,000 single-family homes in Florida, and has earned several prestigious awards for design and innovation.

Published November 06, 2019