The City of Zephyrhills is inviting public comment on a plan aimed at increasing high-wage industrial jobs and benefits.
The proposed plan focuses on a large grouping of industrial properties and adjacent areas within the Chancey Road corridor, near the Zephyrhills Municipal Airport, according to a news release from the city.
The preliminary plan includes an assessment of conditions and trends, including a high-level real estate assessment.
The city offered an opportunity for the public to weigh in at an open house-style meeting on June 4 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., at City Hall, 5335 Eighth St., in Zephyrhills, an event planned to occur after The Laker/Lutz News’ press deadline. City planning staff members were expected to be on hand to provide information and answer questions.
Later the same day, the Planning Commission also was scheduled to take up the issue at its meeting, also at City Hall, which begins at 6 p.m.
City staff also will present the preliminary plan at the Zephyrhills City Council meeting, also at City Hall, on June 10, beginning at 6 p.m.
The planning area is generally bound by Melrose Avenue to the north, the CSX Transportation railroad and U.S. 301 to the west, Pattie Road to the south and Barry Road and the Upper Hillsborough Wildlife Management Area to the east.
It encompasses approximately 9.76 square miles, including 33 percent within the City of Zephyrhills and the remainder in unincorporated Pasco County.
It is the largest aggregation of industrial lands in Pasco County, according to the release.
Two CSX mainline railroads traverse the area.
It is accessible to Port Tampa Bay, the CSX Central Florida Intermodal Logistics Center, rapidly expanding consumer markets and Central Florida, the release notes.
The Zephyrhills Municipal Airport, a general aviation airport, also is located in the heart of the plan area, which can accommodate needs of business travelers.
Published June 05, 2019
