Fire Rescue has eye on building for offices

By EBONY WINDOM, Times Correspondent
Published January 14, 2008

ZEPHYRHILLS - Zephyrhills Fire Rescue needs more office space.

For now, the department's administrative staff uses the small offices in each of the two fire stations.

But there's not much storage space, and they lack a conference room for meetings.

So, the department wants to expand.

And they're asking the City Council to help out. The issue is up for discussion at the upcoming council meeting.

In 2000, when Station 1 was built on Dairy Road, there were plans to add 1,500 to 2,000 square feet of office space later, for the department's top brass and other staffers.

The plan to add office space is still an option.

But now Zephyrhills Fire Rescue officials have their eye on an existing building on Daughtery Road. This 2,000-square-foot office building is on the market for $395,000.

The department says a low interest federal loan and the city's future impact fees could help fund the purchase of the building.

In other news, JCT Development bought property on County Road 54 to renovate into a new plaza. Various restaurants have shown interest in getting in on the project, but the city's land development code prohibits the sale of "alcohol beverages within 300 feet of any school, church or other religious institution," according to a city memo.

The prospective restaurants want to serve beer and wine. But the problem is, part of the property's "outdoor active use" area is within 300 feet of Zephyrhills High School. So, the developers have proposed a change in the land development code.

Additionally, Transportation Impact Fees are set to increase gradually over the next two years. The results of a TIF study will be made available at the next council meeting.

These and other issues will be up for discussion at the Zephyrhills City Council meeting at 6 p.m. today.

[Last modified January 13, 2008, 21:27:24]