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Council unsure if project fits in neighborhood

Early plans call for lakefront homes, boutique-style retail outlets and hiking trails to replace the lime rock quarry.

By MOLLY MOORHEAD
Published November 29, 2005

ZEPHYRHILLS - Developers call it a world-class lakefront community. City officials want to know how it would fit in with nearby industry.

Developers say Zephyrmere, with more than 1,000 proposed homes, would draw skilled workers and, in turn, quality jobs. City officials wonder whether the trend is too strong toward Zephyrhills becoming a "bedroom community."

The City Council, airport authority and several city officials met Monday with developers of nearly 800 acres southeast of town along Chancey Road that currently house a lime rock quarry. The firm that owns it, Yonkers Contracting Co., wants to cease mining and turn the land into a sprawling subdivision with homes and commercial outlets.

John Kolaya, Yonkers executive vice president, said the company faces a decision about what to do with the land. It could continue mining for 20 years, at the end of which it would have a barren piece of property. Or it could develop.

"The dilemma is the more we quarry, the less viable land is left remaining to do anything else with," Kolaya said.

Early site plans detail an upscale community with numerous lakefront homes, hiking trails and boutique-type commercial outlets. Kolaya said townhomes would be priced under $200,000, with large homes running as high as $350,000.

The developers also presented a financial analysis, claiming a boost to the tax base of $2.8-million annually, 200 permanent jobs and $8-million in onetime impact fees.

But city officials have repeatedly raised questions about the compatibility of a residential development in the middle of an established industrial corridor.

Council member Gina King said she wants to see more industrial businesses that employ skilled workers move into the area.

"We really need to get some industrial development here to sustain that growth," King said. "The commercial that you're proposing is really like service-industry related."

Ron Weaver, the developer's attorney, responded that housing must be available in order to lure skilled workers.

"The best way to create quality jobs is to create quality housing for them," Weaver said.

Earl Young, chairman of the airport authority, said he worries about how Zephyrmere's future residents will like living near the city-owned airport.

"Any homes in that proximity will (experience) a noise problem which the city and airport will be left to deal with," Young said.

In addition, the city plans to extend one of the airport's runways, which points south toward the rock mine.

Pasco County staff members have raised concerns of their own. A letter from the county attorney's office says replacing an industrial site with residences would detract economic benefits, such as mining jobs, and be a drain on city, county and school services.

"Any residential development should be required to be upscale, the commercial removed from the plan and open space left along Chancey Road," attorney Elizabeth Blair wrote.

Council members took no action on the proposed development and asked the city staff to continue looking into the issues.

Its approval seems far from certain.

Said council member Clyde Bracknell: "It just looks nice, but there's a whole lot of questions that still need to be answered."

In other Zephyrhills news Monday:

--On a 4-1 vote with King dissenting, council members gave final approval to an ordinance revision governing city parks. Parks will now be open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., effective immediately.

[Last modified November 29, 2005, 02:15:28]