The Pasco County Commission has approved a rezoning that will allow for a new convenience store, with gas pumps and a Dunkin’, near Ehren Cutoff, in Land O’ Lakes.
The 2.38-acre site is on the southeast corner of the intersection of Land O’ Lakes Boulevard and Ehren cutoff.
The rezoning involved joining two parcels together, one zoned for commercial and the other for rural residential.
Denise Hernandez, county zoning administrator, said the request would not introduce a new gas station onto the property — but replace one that’s already there.
The site plan also calls for a Dunkin’, she said.
County Commission Chairman Mike Moore noted that the new plan is essentially an upgrade from current conditions.
“So, it could use a little makeover and it’s getting a makeover, thankfully,” Moore said, noting that the Dunkin’ (previously known as Dunkin’ Donuts) will be an amenity in the area.
Commissioner Ron Oakley agreed with Moore’s assessment: “That’s what it says on the site plan — they’re redoing that to enhance it. It needs that in that area.”
Moore added: “It kind of goes in line with what we’re trying to do, to try to clean up (U.S.) 41.”
One resident, Rob Park, who lives on Ehren Cutoff, objected to the rezoning.
He questioned a discrepancy between two transportation studies done in the area.
A county staffer said it’s not unusual for two different transportation studies to have different data.
In other action, commissioners:
- Approved a request for a conditional use to allow the sale of alcoholic beverages: beer, wine, liquor; package sales and on-premises consumption, anywhere within the common areas of The Shops at Wiregrass, in conjunction with the operation of a shopping center.
- Heard an update from Moore regarding tourism prospects. Moore told board members that the county will be getting a volleyball tournament, a golf tournament, a fishing tournament and a basketball tournament. Some tournaments are coming from out-of-state, but others are shifting from other parts of Florida.
Published September 02, 2020
