AdventHealth Zephyrhills’ Rezoning Request Approved
By JOE POTTER
Zephyrhills City Council members approved the second reading of an ordinance to rezone approximately 22.72 acres of property owned by AdventHealth Zephyrhills during their meeting on Oct. 13. This will enable AdventHealth Zephyrhills to use the property for commercial purposes.
AdventHealth voluntarily agreed to prohibit the property from being used for several different purposes, including for a Hotel, an Automobile Service, a Big Box Retail store or a Convenience store, or a Pawnshop. A Warehouse, Brewery, a Restaurant with a Drive-Thru, and a Theater are also things that can’t be built on the property. Offices (Trade/Fleet) will only be permitted if accessory/related to a permitted primary use. The ordinance said the restrictions placed on the property would be binding for 60 years.
In other business, Council members:
Selected Kenko Signs and Awning LLC to manufacture and install entrance signs at the following city park locations: Ellis Harrold, Depot Park, Veterans', Shepard, Krusen, Transplant, 5th Ave, and Gunner Paw.
The agenda memorandum about the matter said the total bid from Kenko was $495,000, including a 10% contingency. The Community Redevelopment Agency (C.R.A.) would fund signage within the C.R.A. District for $150,000, included in its budget approved for fiscal year 2025-2026, with the remaining $345,000 funded from Parks.
Agreed to pay $250,000 to purchase property at 6109 16th St. and to demolish a home located on the 0.19-acre site in the Park Hill Subdivision.
The City decided to purchase the property so a retention pond on the west side of 16th Street could be expanded to help prevent the flooding that the area experienced from Hurricane Milton on Oct. 9, 2024. Shane LeBlanc, the City’s Public Works Director, said items in the house that could be used elsewhere would be salvaged. Penny for Pasco funds would be used to purchase the property, according to an agenda memorandum about that matter.
LeBlanc also told Council members the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) would need to approve the expansion of the retention pond before it could be done.
A first reading of an ordinance, which would, upon its adoption, increase the rate for the use and availability of Potable Water, Wastewater (Sewer), and Reclaimed Water by 3%. Finance Director Ted Beason told Council members this would amount to an increase of $2 a month – from $68 to $70 – for customers using 4,100 gallons of water a month.
This rate change would be effective on Nov. 1 if it were approved on its second reading.
