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Dade City delays vote on project

Leaders want feedback from the state before considering plans for a high-density residential development.

By MOLLY MOORHEAD
Published April 26, 2006

DADE CITY - After three hours of pleading from impassioned residents, a divided City Commission voted Tuesday to delay action on a development proposed for a rural area west of downtown.

The 4-1 vote - which came after numerous failed motions - means the city will wait to send a proposed development for 112 acres off St. Joe Road and 21st Street to the state Department of Community Affairs. That agency weighs in on large land use changes in communities. Developers want to build a maximum of 4.6 homes per acre in a neotraditional neighborhood with alleys and back-loading garages.

The property is surrounded by large home sites on multiple acres. It was the high density that drew objections from residents and commissioners.

"This is far too aggressive for us here in Dade City," said St. Joe Road resident Gail Greenfelder. "We are one of few surviving small towns in Florida."

Commissioner Scott Black, the lone dissenting vote, said he did not support the high density but favored getting feedback from DCA.

"Sending to Tallahassee is not approving anything," he said.

Commissioner Steve Van Gorden first moved to deny sending the project to Tallahassee outright. That motion failed, and he then moved to wait until a later transmittal.

"If we're not inclined to approve it when it comes back," Mayor Hutch Brock said.

Van Gorden completed the thought: "then why do it?"

Commissioner Bill Dennis, who earlier in the night favored transmitting the project, relented and agreed. Commissioner Eunice Penix also switched sides.

Brock praised the quality of the project but not the location.

"It's not in the right spot, and because it doesn't fit I can't vote for it," Brock said.

The vote was a relief to residents of the area who mobilized during the weekend and showed up wearing buttons with the words "Preserve northeast Pasco." They cited concerns about traffic and overtaxed utility service.

The commission also approved for transmittal to DCA two other land use changes that are a preliminary step toward development. The changes, along with annexation into the city, could come back before the commission as soon as July for final approval.

The properties are:

288 acres (which include 62 acres of wetlands) at Old Lakeland Highway and Morningside Drive. Developers plan a maximum of 500 houses and townhomes.

51 acres east of U.S. 301 at Clinton Avenue, slated for about 175 homes.

Commissioners directed City Attorney Karla Owens to continue exploring amendments to the city's noise ordinance. Because of increasing complaints about noise violations, the city will look into setting maximum levels in commercial and residential districts and how the rules can be enforced.

The city presented Dennis with a certificate of appreciation for 16 years of service on the board. Tuesday was his last meeting, as Dennis lost his seat in this month's city election to Camille Hernandez.

"You have literally been the example that we can all learn from," Brock said.

[Last modified April 26, 2006, 01:22:18]