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Annexation dispute cools off
By CHASE SQUIRES, Times Staff Writer DADE CITY -- City commissioners pondering Pasco County's attack last week on two annexations said that a meeting between city and county officials Tuesday afternoon may have defused the crisis. But just in case, commissioners instructed City Attorney Bill Brewton on Tuesday night to prepare for a court fight. At issue are two lawsuits the county filed Thursday challenging Dade City's annexations of two properties in April that brought more than 160 acres inside the city limits along the city's western boundary. The lawsuits objected to the annexations, claiming they weren't compact enough and the city didn't follow state rules. City Manager Doug Drymon told commissioners that he joined Commissioner Bill Dennis and city staffers in an hourlong meeting with County Commissioner Ted Schrader and county officials Tuesday afternoon. "We had a pretty good discussion. Both parties can have an understanding on how that area can develop," Drymon said at Tuesday night's City Commission meeting. "It is our hope the county will basically drop the suits." Drymon said the county wants to be sure the city's current zoning, allowing up to six homes per acre, doesn't allow development to overrun the rural countryside. County Administrator John Gallagher said last week that he considered the rural area of Pasco County north of State Road 52 on the east side to be "sacred." The county wants the city to listen to a panel of county residents regarding development, and wants density changes. "The main objection they had was the density," Dennis said. Eventually, Dennis said, the county would like a limit of one or two homes per acre on the annexed property. The county also wants some say in how the area along SR 52 is developed, even if properties along the road join the city. City Commissioner Hutch Brock said the properties already have been annexed under an agreement with the owners that they would be allowed six homes per acre. The owners might agree to reduce that number, or might not, Brock said. "That really isn't in our control," he said. If a fair agreement can't be worked out with the county, Brock said, the city must stand ready to fight the county in court. "This is a slippery slope that we can't go down," he said. Commissioners told Brewton to file papers seeking to delay the case in court while an agreement is discussed. But if talks fall apart, Brock urged Brewton to be ready. Meanwhile, Port Richey on Tuesday night approved annexing three properties despite county objections. Port Richey council members also agreed to join other cities if they go forward with fighting the county in court.
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From today's Pasco Times Editorial Letters |
