Officials clear path for homes on hill

DADE CITY -- The owners of one of Pasco County's highest hills persuaded Pasco's Planning Commission to let them build 96 homes just north of Zephyrhills.

At 229 feet, Greer Hill, west of U.S. 301, is the third-highest point in Pasco. The main development there now is a radio tower.

On Wednesday, the Krusen family won the right, subject to final approval from county commissioners this month, to turn the hill into a planned community called Chapel Hill.

In doing so, the Krusens withdrew earlier plans to build offices on part of the 68-acre property along U.S. 301.

The Krusens plan to put half-acre lots on the land, a plan that didn't please neighbors, who preferred a smaller number of acre lots.

County Attorney Bob Sumner said the construction of 96 upscale homes would preserve the view on what he called a beautiful piece of property.

The Planning Commission also cleared a rezoning request to transform 47 acres between Interstate 75 and Boyette Road into 89 homes called Boyette Oaks.

The decision troubled neighboring landowners Richard and Doreen Penberthy. The couple, who own a farm, said they feared that their horses, which include large Belgian draft animals, could trample to death children in the future neighborhood.

Planners approved the proposal on the condition that developers erect a 6-foot chain-link fence to separate homes from the horses.

The developer, West Florida Builders Group Inc., was not altogether pleased either.

The company's attorney, Jerry Figurski, complained that the county was trying to "extort" Boyette Road right of way from his client.

Pasco wants to widen Boyette Road to serve the future 140-acre regional park north of the Boyette Oaks property. But it shouldn't do so on the backs of developers, Figurski said.

-- James Thorner covers Pasco County growth and development. He can be reached at (813) 909-4613 or toll-free 1-800-333-7505, ext. 4613. His e-mail address is thorner@sptimes.com.

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