ZEPHYRHILLS – The City of Zephyrhills is taking a unique approach to fix flooding within the Park Hill subdivision, an area affected last year by Hurricane Milton.
Staff recommended buying the home at 6109 16th Street so the city could expand the existing retention pond along the west side of the road. This will create additional stormwater capacity.
“I happened to notice when we were looking at a complaint that that piece of property was up for sale,” Public Works Director Shane LeBlanc told the Zephyrhills City Council on Oct. 13. “We looked at it, and we thought we could double the capacity of this retention pond and maybe solve some of these flooding issues because these parcels don’t come up for sale very often. It just seemed like good timing.”
The city agreed on a price of $250,000. City council approved the sale, which will be paid through the Penny for Pasco Contingency line item.
“I just think it’s a good first step because we’re going to be looking to do this probably in Henry Drive, 9th Avenue and different places,” Council Member Steve Spina said. “These are the kind of things we can do ourselves without waiting for huge grants and projects.”
City ordinances require two appraisals for buying property over $80,000. Tampa-based Lee Pallardy Inc. describes the ranch-style house as being in above-average condition given recent upgrades. The house was built in 1980.
LeBlanc said the city plans to demolish the house and dig the lot out just a little bit. The city will have to get a permit to design the retention pond. A consultant will provide engineering services.
The Lee Pallardy appraisal noted Zephyrhills experienced “significant flooding impacts” from Hurricane Milton.
“Most of the flooding issues occurred in the older residential communities, many of which have retention ponds that are not of the size needed to accommodate significant amounts of rainfall within a short period of time,” according to the appraisal. “The subject is located adjacent to the north of a retention pond that likely overflowed during the hurricane, but the subject home reportedly did not experience flooding within the living area of the home; there was reportedly some water accumulation in the garage.”
