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Townhomes, condos on the way

Builders have taken note of the rising cost of single-family homes, proposing seven multifamily housing developments throughout the county.

By JAMES THORNER
Published December 9, 2005

Pinched by the high price of single-family homes in Pasco County, families are increasingly turning to townhomes and condominiums.

The building industry has gotten the message. This month, developers have requested rezonings for no fewer than seven townhome and condo projects, from Wesley Chapel to Hudson.

The rezonings would add more than 500 multifamily units to the Pasco landscape. Developers would build most of the projects on relatively small parcels sandwiched between existing development.

The rezonings, moving from east to west across the county:

A townhome project is proposed for 18.5 acres on the south side of Wesley Chapel Boulevard, across from the Edgewater at Grand Oaks development in Wesley Chapel. Developer Mark Maconi Homes has not confirmed the number of units.

Hagman Condominiums would occupy 9.5 acres on the north side of Carson Road, northeast of U.S. 41 and State Road 54. It's now an orange grove on the south shore of Lake Padgett in Land O'Lakes. Mobley Homes plans 50 condominium townhomes in nine buildings. Six single-family lots would take up the lakefront.

Boos Development Group proposes 186 condos in 20 buildings on 16.5 acres southeast of Moon Lake and Randee roads in the Moon Lake community. Units come with two parking spaces apiece.

Embassy Town Homes is proposed on 9.6 acres north of New York Avenue and east of Little Road in Hudson. The project includes 68 condo units in 10 buildings.

Magnolia Oaks in New Port Richey calls for 84 townhomes and villas on 9 acres south of Massachusetts Avenue between Runnel and Magnolia Valley drives. It's reserved for buyers age 55 and older.

Dash Development LLC wants to build a condo development on 14 acres northeast of Seven Springs Boulevard and Perrine Ranch Road near Trinity. No word on the number of units.

A 6.2-acre townhome project is pegged for the southeast corner of Oelsner Street and Beau Lane in New Port Richey. The builder, Elite Affordable Homes Inc., hasn't released the number of units.

Condos and townhomes are among the few affordable housing options left in Pasco as the average price of single-family homes screeches past $250,000. Some townhomes and condos, however, can be had for less than $200,000, depending on location. County commissioners are scheduled to vote on the rezonings in the new year: Jan. 24 for cases in west Pasco and Feb. 14 for cases in east and central Pasco.

[Last modified December 9, 2005, 01:19:17]