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Townhome hearing becomes heated

Despite a Leisure Beach resident's forceful attack, project plans get preliminary approval. He plans to appeal the decision.

By JAMES THORNER
Published August 12, 2005

Things didn't go Steve Byle's way. Pasco County's Development Review Committee approved a plan that would inject his Leisure Beach neighborhood with 362 new townhomes.

And as he left the Pasco County historic courthouse Thursday afternoon, Byle was certain of the reason why: "It was a kangaroo court!"

He certainly spent the better part of an hour pretending it was a trial.

Bellowing like a prosecuting attorney, mistakenly calling committee Chairman John Gallagher "Your Honor," Byle laid out a case against building the townhomes northwest of State Road 52 and U.S. 19.

"I'd like to make a hearsay objection!" Byle yelled when someone presented evidence in support of Bayonet Point Townhomes.

Assistant County Attorney David Goldstein reminded Byle, who studied law but works as a business consultant, that he wasn't in court.

"The Development Review Committee is not bound by rules of evidence," Goldstein said.

Byle accused the county of flubbing its oversight of the project. The developer, Mid-Peninsula Realty Investment Group, proposes building three-story units on 63 acres beside Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park.

The rezoning is inadequate, Byle said, and the county didn't require a mandatory tree survey on the scrubby property.

When county development director Cindy Jolly tried to respond, Byle kept interrupting her.

"Can you let me finish without interrupting me, please!" Jolly yelled.

Then Byle launched into Gallagher, suggesting the county's approval of the project would be illegal.

It was Gallagher's turn to lose his patience. "If you think there's any criminal activity going on, go to the State Attorney's Office," the county administrator told Byle.

Tired of pacing before the committee, Byle helped himself to a cushioned chair beside Jolly and wheeled it to the podium. Gallagher told him to give it back.

As members of the audience began to mock Byle, he whipped around to face the developer's attorney, Richard Millian. Byle blamed Millian for snickering behind his back. Gallagher ordered Byle to face forward.

For all the hubbub, the development committee approved the townhomes unanimously. Before groundbreaking, the project still needs permits from the state Department of Environmental Protection.

Byle isn't finished either. Downstairs in the courthouse after the vote, he seemed confused about what had happened.

Told the committee had approved the project's preliminary construction plans, Byle said, "They approved it? That's bizarre!"

He vowed to appeal the committee's favorable vote. First step in the appeals process is a hearing before the county commissioners.

"This is just the beginning," Byle pledged. "Cindy Jolly thinks her job is to pave the county and act like a CEO."

[Last modified August 12, 2005, 00:47:15]