Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

County wants land deal with Bexleys

More than 300 acres of the family's land would be used to offset the impacts of the Ridge Road extension's second phase.

By BRIDGET HALL GRUMET
Published July 27, 2005

DADE CITY - For now, the fate of the Ridge Road extension rests with the Bexley family.

County officials want to use more than 300 acres of Bexley land, known as Five Mile Creek, as a conservation area to offset the impact of the proposed limited-access highway.

There's only one problem. James "Bo" Bexley won't let county-hired consultants on the tract to gather the environmental data needed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Southwest Florida Water Management District.

Without that information, Swiftmud cannot update the permit granted for the road in 2003, and the Army Corps permit application remains in limbo.

"I'm frustrated," said Jake Varn, the attorney representing Pasco County in its five-year permitting saga. "I want to get this darn thing done and get a decision up or down."

So the County Commission drew a line in the sand Tuesday. If officials can't work out an agreement with the Bexleys by Sept. 1, the county will start looking for a new mitigation site.

What makes Varn think Bexley might change his mind in the next month?

"Lightning strikes every once in a while," Varn told the Pasco Times. "We're always the optimists."

Commissioners also voted at the meeting in the historic courthouse in Dade City to earmark another $25,000 for Varn's firm, bringing the attorney's total earnings to $200,000 on the project.

The county has the conservation tracts all lined up for the first phase of the road, which would run from Moon Lake Road to the Suncoast Parkway. The Bexley tract would be needed to offset the impacts of the second phase, which would run from the parkway to U.S. 41.

The county originally planned to use the 240-acre Mablebridge property for mitigation on the second leg, but the owners opted to develop it. Varn said the Five Mile Creek property is better, as it could link the Connerton and Serenova preserves.

While County Administrator John Gallagher said he was "optimistic" about reaching an agreement with the Bexleys, some commissioners were less hopeful.

"I see this Five Mile Creek as a pie in the sky," said commission Chairwoman Pat Mulieri.

Commissioners were unswayed by a 15-minute presentation by Dan Rametta of the Citizens for Sanity, who urged them to drop the road project that had become "a financial black hole." He showed a short videotape of the wetlands that would be paved over if the road goes through.

"Pay close attention to the wetlands," he told commissioners as the videotape started. "This will be the last time you see them if this project goes through."

In other news Tuesday:

Trinity drainage help on the way: Commissioners agreed to spend about $220,000 to clear debris from the clogged drainage areas in Trinity Oaks, Wyndtree, Chelsea Place, Oak Ridge and the Reserve at Oak Ridge. The money is left over from a pot of federal dollars to remove storm debris from Pasco's flood-prone spots.

School superintendent ballot language approved: Commissioners agreed on the question voters will see Nov. 7, 2006, when they decide whether the schools superintendent should remain an elected position or become a post appointed by the School Board.

The question will be: "Shall the Office of School Superintendent be appointive by the School Board to take effect upon the expiration of the term of the incumbent Superintendent elected to that office at the general election held Nov. 2, 2004, or upon the office becoming vacant during such term?"

"Vote Yes for approval of appointed Superintendent of Pasco County Schools. Vote No for rejection of appointed Superintendent of Pasco County Schools."

The language was cobbled together from similar ballot questions in St. Johns and Lake counties. Commissioner Jack Mariano voted against the language, advocating a format that would have clarified the post is elected by the people of Pasco County.

Bridget Hall Grumet can be reached in west Pasco at 869-6244 or toll-free at 1-800-333-7505, ext. 6244. Her e-mail address is bhall@sptimes.com

[Last modified July 27, 2005, 01:04:17]