 |
||||||||
 |
||||||||
|
||||||||
|
Neighborhood supports retirement center project
By JAMES THORNER
© St. Petersburg Times, NEW PORT RICHEY -- In the annals of developer-community relations in Pasco County, it doesn't happen often: neighbors praise a developer about to build a 780-bed retirement home on their street. That's what happened Thursday when Tropical Village Inc. and the Summer Lakes subdivision united behind Sunset Bay Club, a retirement complex proposed for 14 acres at Sharpsburg Boulevard and Rowan Road. "There could be much worse things that could go there," Summer Lakes president Ed Carr said after Pasco's Development Review Committee approved the retirement complex's construction plans. To win over Summer Lakes, whose residents arrived in force two weeks ago to oppose the retirement village, Tropical Village owner Patrick Kirkland flew from Atlanta. Here are the concessions he offered neighbors: build an extra lane and a school bus shelter on Sharpsburg Boulevard; plant trees to screen Sunset Bay's 13 three-story buildings from Summer Lakes; and wall off a trash compactor and limit its hours of operation to daylight. "The olive branch was definitely extended," Carr said. Sunset Bay, whose first buildings could open for occupancy in April, promises a new approach to retiree housing in Pasco. Trying to re-create the feel of roommates sharing a house, Tropical will offer 156 fully furnished units, each consisting of five bedrooms with a common living room and kitchen. The $675-per-month rent pays for all amenities and utilities, including satellite television, personal computers, twice-a-week maid service and wall safes in each bedroom. The target market is "independent" retirees, mostly widows and widowers earning between $12,000 and $15,000 per year. "I haven't seen anything like this in Pasco," said Jerry Figurski, the Pasco attorney hired by Tropical Village to argue its case. Tropical Village started building inexpensive student housing in Atlanta, but recently expanded into senior housing. Its first project using the roommate concept is Harbor Bay, a retirement complex scheduled for completion in Kissimmee in February.
 © 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111 
|
From today's Pasco Times |
