Wiregrass development wins approval

Argument over road-building expenses dominated in 3-2 vote after six-month debate. Some worry about precedents.

By CHUIN-WEI YAP
Published July 18, 2007

	An aerial view of the Wiregrass Ranch property looking south on SR 54
[Times photo: Dan McDuffie (1999)]

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WESLEY CHAPEL - County commissioners narrowly voted Tuesday to approve the biggest development in Pasco's history.

Wiregrass Ranch won the 3-2 vote after six months of wrangling with county staff, mainly over a compromise on the county's road-building policy.

County staff warned the compromise could saddle Pasco with more than $89-million in future costs. Wary of setting a "bad precedent," commissioners Ann Hildebrand and Michael Cox dissented.

Tuesday's decision at the County Commission meeting paves the way for 12,500 homes and 4-million square feet of stores and offices, including the $105-million Shops at Wiregrass mall, to be built on 5,000 acres of pasture at Bruce B. Downs Boulevard and State Road 56.

The developer will also extend State Road 56 eastward to join Meadow Pointe Boulevard. The project still needs state approval, but should start by January 2008.

Wiregrass will also provide a park-and-ride station on Bruce B. Downs with 150 parking lots, to relieve its impact on Hillsborough County.

The density of the project created a $1.7-billion price tag for road improvements, a record for the county. Wiregrass pays $579-million of this, and the county the rest.

It sparked a fierce debate, which dragged on through three public hearings at the County Commission, on whether county officials should allow Wiregrass to include the project's internal roads in its $579-million "proportionate share."

That's unprecedented for Pasco, and it dominated discussions right to the end.

Pushed by commissioners to meet Wiregrass halfway, county staff members offered an argument that the development's scale and level of concessions are "unique."

That cleared the way for Wiregrass attorney Joel Tew to include portions of Porter Boulevard, Chancey Road and Mansfield Boulevard - which are all roads inside the development - in his "proportionate share" bill.

But it was clear that "uniqueness" was going to be contentious.

"Just to caution you, other developers are going bypass staff and claim their project is unique," said County Administrator John Gallagher.

He and his staff warned that other developers would be lining up to claim the same benefit, which could open Pasco to more than $89-million in givebacks.

But county staff held back from an all-out assault on their own "uniqueness" argument.

When Cox asked Gallagher if the commission's approval would hamper negotiations on future projects, Gallagher said, "I would have to say it's probably on a case by case basis. If we pinch them too hard, they'd be before you."

When Commissioner Ted Schrader argued to make Wiregrass pay for Chancey Road, Gallagher conceded that he did envision that four-lane proposal as a county solution.

Gallagher said his opposition was based on the fact that Wiregrass never included those internal roads in their original "proportionate share tables," which means Wiregrass was initially prepared to pay for those roads itself.

Commissioners eventually agreed to allow half the cost of those internal roads to be included in the "proportionate share."

But on one point Tuesday, both sides were united.

When Bob Campbell, Hillsborough's director of transportation planning, rose to lay claim on $28-million to help his county widen Bruce B. Downs Boulevard south of the county line, Pasco commissioners, county staff and Tew closed ranks to rebuff him.

"Maybe you can increase your impact fees on your commercial developments," said commissioner Jack Mariano, referring to the county levy meant to defray roadbuilding costs.

Echoing county attorneys' arguments, Tew attacked Campbell's request to the extent that Pasco County Attorney Robert Sumner told him, "You're beating a dead horse."

The county still needs to sign off on specific construction plans for both the residential and commercial parts, but Tuesday's decision gave the overall nod for the project's development order and comprehensive land use plan changes.

Still, celebrations were muted.

Tew said the Porter brothers, who own Wiregrass, could not attend the hearing Tuesday.

County staff feared for future negotiations. Some commissioners shared their concerns.

"I believe it is a wonderful development, but it's like a fishbone caught in the throat," Hildebrand said. "I worry about the precedent it sets."

"I really think we are setting a bad precedent," Cox said. "I think you are putting the county in jeopardy for future projects. I think you are committing taxpayer money to where it shouldn't be."

But Tew had his three votes Tuesday.

"We have a good compromise," he said.

Chuin-Wei Yap can be reached at (813) 909-4613 or cyap@sptimes.com.

[Last modified July 17, 2007, 21:50:16]