Decisions made on Proposed Residential Projects
By Joe Potter
Pasco’s Board of County Commissioners approved during their Jan. 6 meeting decisions on three proposed residential projects.
First, a request for a zoning amendment was granted by a 4-0 vote with oneabstention for 118.82 acres of property located on the north side of County Road 54, approximately half a mile west of the intersection of County Road 54 and Chancey Road near Zephyrhills.
The applicant, Murphy Road MPUD – Oakley Pasco County Property Trust, et al, had requested that the zoning be changed from an R-MH Mobile Home District and A-R
Agricultural Residential District to an MPUD Master Planned Unit Development District. This would allow for the development of 434 single-family detached units and associated infrastructure.
Interconnections to the property to the east, includingForbes Road, and to the northeast, including Chenkin Road, would not have to beprovided because both of those roads are substandard. A connection to the east would be provided when the DaughteryRoad extension is completed.Murphy Road would be the driveway on the western portion of the subject site.Access to the eastern portion of the subject site would be via County Road 54.The site is currently vacant exceptfor one single-family detachedresidential unit that’s on one of its parcels.
The zoning classification of the applicant’s real property was therefore amended to an MPUD Master Planned Unit Development, subject to the amended and restated conditions and master plan for the Murphy Road MPUD.
Second, approved by a vote of 3-2 following a public hearing, an ordinance amending the comprehensive plan relating to 19.69 acres of property located on the north side of Blanton Road, approximately 2,150 feet east of the intersection of Blanton Road and Trilby Road.
The current Future Land Use Map of the property was AG/R (Agricultural/Rural). The applicant sought to have it changed to RES-1, which would allow one dwelling unit per gross acre. The applicant agreed to have a minimum lot size of 2.5 acres on the property. Although it would be possible to develop eight dwelling units on the property, the applicant agreed to reduce the density to six dwelling units.
Some people spoke in opposition to the passage of this ordinance during the public hearing portion that preceded the vote.Julia Bartonic told Commissioners that the passage of this ordinance would establish an unfortunate precedent for Pasco County’s Northeast Rural Area.This area was established by the County between 2006 and 2008. Its specified purpose is to preserve the area’s unique agricultural character, topography, and wildlife by limiting intense development and encouraging large lots.
James Borrow Sr. told Commissioners he thought Blanton Road was a dangerous road. “Please consider rejecting this proposal,” he added.County records indicated only 15 additional trips to Blanton Road would occur during peak P.M. hours following the development of this subdivision.
Third, Commissioners also approved by a vote of 3-2 the transmittal of a comprehensiveplan amendment to the Florida Department of Commerce and other reviewingagencies regarding changing the name of an applicant’s project from North Pasco Resort Planned Development to North Pasco Resort; reducing the Recreational Vehicle (RV) spaces from 550 to 350; and allowing for thedevelopment of a 250- room, four-story resort hotel. The site is located on Lake Iola Road.
Ron Oakley, who represents District 1 on the County Commissioners, said the proposed hotel would be a resort hotel, i.e., an extended stay hotel, where some people could stay for several months at a time. This would mean, according to Oakley, that there shouldn’t be a significant addition to the peak hours of traffic.
