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Tampa reaches out to K-Bar Ranch
By JOHN BALZ, Times Staff Writer TAMPA -- The Tampa City Council officially began the process of annexing the 2,280-acre K-Bar Ranch into the city Thursday in what would be the largest land acquisition in Mayor Dick Greco's term. If annexed, K-Bar Ranch, which borders the Pasco County line, would extend the city limits father north and west than ever before. Negotiations are centering on the number of homes that will be built and the amount of land that will be turned over to the city for parks and schools. The owners, Krusen-Douglas Partnership, originally envisioned K-Bar as a 2,500-acre property with 3,600 homes. Representatives for both sides had more recently been talking about building 1,599 homes, but Ron Rotella, special consultant to the mayor, said the final total will be slightly fewer than 2,000 homes. That would keep K-Bar from being classified as a Development of Regional Impact, which could require the owners to give more land to the city for parks and schools. If 1,599 homes are built, the city would receive seven acres for small community parks and 22 acres for a regional park. An additional 20 acres would be set aside for schools. If 1,999 homes are built, the city would receive additional acres, but specific figures have not been finalized. Some Hillsborough County officials have complained that the city did not disclose its intentions to annex the land. County Commission Chairwoman Pat Frank said she asked Rotella and members of the city's legal department at a May meeting if there were any upcoming annexations. She said she was told "absolutely not." "When you're asked something and you withhold information, it creates a bad atmosphere," Frank said. Plans to annex K-Bar, once a working ranch, into the city limits have been a possibility since 2000. It is a voluntary annexation, meaning K-Bar owners want to be part of Tampa. The City Council will take up the issue as early as July 11. Shawn Harrison, a City Council member, said bringing K-Bar Ranch into the fold makes sense. Whether it is part of the county or the city, development in the K-Bar area will happen, he said, and the city will already be providing water and sewer service and roads for those residents. Nearby developments Pebble Creek and Cross Creek already get services through the city. "It makes sense that if the residents are going to be using city resources, we should get some of the benefits," said Harrison, who lives in New Tampa. K-Bar owners also will pay the city $900,000 up front in addition to future impact fees that will be calculated once exact plans and sizes for the homes are arranged. In general, developers would be required to pay about $2,500 per home. Annexation and development of the property would also expand the city's tax revenue base. Fred Ridley, an attorney representing K-Bar's owners, did not return phone calls for comment. The K-Bar property includes land north of Heritage Isles, south of County Line Road and west of Morris Bridge Road. -- John Balz can be reached at (813) 269-5313 or at balz@sptimes.com.
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From today's Pasco Times Letters |
