Project decision delayed till April

The new attorney for Riverchase South's developer needs time to review the issues.

By Lisa Buie, Times Staff Writer
Published February 29, 2008

NEW PORT RICHEY - When it became clear that no winner would be declared Thursday in the face-off between a developer of a proposed subdivision and its unhappy neighbors, the discussion moved to the lobby.

"I just don't want a road in the back of my house," Steve Apple told Patricia Buck of Orsi Development, the group seeking to put 19 homes on nearly 15 acres east of Little Road in the Seven Springs area. That plan is drawing opposition from the residents of Fairway Springs, the development adjacent to the proposed new development called Riverchase South.

The matter came before the county Development Review Committee on Thursday but was postponed until April 24 at Buck's request. She told officials that she had been told only on Friday that staff was recommending denial of her project. She then went and hired attorney Clyde Hobby, who would need more time to review the issue.

County Administrator John Gallagher, reluctant to depart from a new policy requiring seven days' notice for a delay, gave in because of the short notice Buck said she received.

He let residents of Fairway Springs and Seven Springs, who had packed the meeting room, speak, but told them no decision would be made until next month.

Residents of 16 homes in Fairway Springs have complained that the new development calls for a road that would run right behind their homes, creating a "double frontage" road situation, as a road already runs in front. Residents in those homes say this will essentially make their properties a median and devalue their homes.

County staffers recommended a thumbs-down for the project based on that issue.

"That was staff's main concern with this project," development director Cindy Jolly said, adding that the project should be compatible with layouts of existing neighborhoods.

Gallagher pointed out that the proposed development conforms with the area's zoning, which was set in 1987. He suggested Buck meet with residents before the issue comes back to the committee to see if things can be worked out.

After the residents spoke, the crowd moved out to the lobby. Buck tried to assure them that she didn't want to hurt their property values. She and partner Michael Orsi said they could look at moving the road farther north and adding a buffer or even a fence if it would accommodate Fairway Springs.

"We don't want to upset you all," she said. "We have the right to develop our property. We want you guys to be happy neighbors with your new neighbors."

Lisa Buie can be reached at buie@sptimes.com or 813 909-4604.

[Last modified February 28, 2008, 21:29:28]