Saint Leo considers planner, growth

By CHASE SQUIRES

© St. Petersburg Times, published February 16, 2000

SAINT LEO -- Town commissioners moved toward hiring a new planner to handle complex growth issues Monday just as word of a long-rumored commercial development surfaced at the public meeting.

After the five-member panel interviewed representatives from the Tampa firm of Engelhardt, Hammer & Associates and Brooksville-based Coastal Engineering, Mayor Janis Klingle said she had learned developers were considering a parcel between Town Hall and the Saint Leo University golf course along State Road 52 to erect a Publix shopping center.

The land is held by nearby Saint Leo Abbey. Brother Gabriel Estes, a commissioner and member of the abbey, said he wasn't aware of anyone making formal inquiries at the abbey.

But Klingle said she learned developers interested in building a Publix supermarket near the developing Lake Jovita Golf and Country Club community had already tried unsuccessfully to buy land at SR 52 and Happy Hill Road.

Town Clerk Patty Richter said well-known Dade City real estate broker Lewis Abraham had been in Town Hall recently inquiring about available tracts. Abraham confirmed Tuesday he had been trying to help a developer find a suitable parcel, possibly for a Publix, in the Saint Leo area. But he said Lakeland-based Publix has not formally put its name on anything.

"What happens is developers try to put together different deals for a lot of people, including Publix," he said. "A developer is always looking for a big name who would be interested in their project. That could be a Publix, a Walgreens, an Eckerd, whatever."

He said he has been contacted by the company and knows officials there are interested in the Dade City region, but he has heard conflicting reports about the company's timetable.

A spokesman for Publix did not return a message left at the Lakeland headquarters Tuesday.

Commissioners say they need a planning service to help with the multitude of state demands, including comprehensive overviews that must be routinely submitted to the state Department of Community Affairs.

With growth and increasing SR 52 traffic, commissioners want a professional. The town's first and only planner, Doug Sanders, took a job out of town and did not renew his contract last year.

In coming years, commissioners said, they expect to see growth in the Lake Jovita project, promising up to 900 homes, and Saint Leo University has proposed doubling its enrollment.

Planner Jan Norsoph, of Engelhardt, Hammer & Associates, said his company would help the establish a visioning process, deal with the growing tax base and prepare for the 2000 Census and growth in surrounding communities.

Coastal Engineering planner Don Lacey played up his company's familiarity with the region and its commitment to serving only Pasco, Hernando and Sumter counties.

Commissioners instructed Town Attorney Charles Chritton to negotiate rates with both companies and bring the results back for next month's meeting.

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