Hillsborough seeks Wiregrass halt

The county wants $28-million to widen a section of Bruce B. Downs.

By CHUIN-WEI YAP, Times Staff Writer
Published August 31, 2007

WESLEY CHAPEL - Slightly more than a month after Wiregrass Ranch won approval from Pasco officials, Hillsborough County has filed an appeal to stop the 5,000-acre development.

Hillsborough commissioners told the Florida Department of Community Affairs on Thursday that they want the developer to give $28-million to widen the segment of Bruce B. Downs Boulevard between County Line Road and Pebble Creek Boulevard.

Hillsborough is remaking the road from four to eight lanes, but its officials say Wiregrass will eat up 80 percent of that new capacity.

Thursday's appeal - two weeks after a half-joking Hillsborough commissioner suggested putting toll booths on Bruce B. Downs - is a sign of heels digging in on the inter-county squabble.

Hillsborough officials say they've tried repeatedly to ask for help from Pasco and Wiregrass developers, which include Pulte Homes, Forest City Enterprises and the Goodman Co.

Hillsborough transport chief Bob Campbell was rebuffed when he appeared before Pasco commissioners at Wiregrass' final public hearing to ask for the $28-million.

"We certainly hope to get an indication from Pasco saying they'd like to discuss the issue," said Hillsborough County Attorney Renee Lee. "We're also hoping that this will get heightened scrutiny from the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council."

While Pasco's top brass and Wiregrass attorney Joel Tew have refused Hillsborough, Pasco's chief assistant county administrator Michele Baker told a reporter in mid July that while Phase 1 of Wiregrass roadbuilding funds has been spoken for, there is still room for involving Hillsborough's needs in Phases 2 and 3.

About $307-million in the Wiregrass pot for road projects has not been allocated.

Baker was unavailable for comment Thursday.

But Lee said Hillsborough never got any official reply from Pasco to Hillsborough's appeals, including a July 9 letter from Hillsborough County Administrator Pat Bean.

If the department challenges the Wiregrass plans, an administrative law judge would hear the case, and his or her recommendations would go to Gov. Charlie Crist and his Cabinet for a final decision, according to department spokesman Jon Peck.

The department must appeal by Sept. 14.

"We will have to hear from DCA within a short period of time, by next week, on whether they will do anything with the letter," Lee said.

The regional planning council, which coordinates projects with multicounty impact, will issue a report today to evaluate how Pasco's approval conditions for Wiregrass match up to the council's recommendations issued in December 2007, said council planner John Meyer.

Chuin-Wei Yap can be reached at 813909-4613 or cyap@sptimes.com

[Last modified August 30, 2007, 22:13:52]