BCC Again Pushes Back Vote On Fate Of Quail Hollow Golf Course

The red-shaded area is where new homes could replace the golf course in Quail Hollow.

Lingering concerns about whether or not the property rights of Quail Hollow residents are being considered strongly enough is giving some Pasco County commissioners fits.

At a contentious Board of County Commissioners (BCC) meeting on May 9 at the historic Pasco County Courthouse in Dade City, commissioners once again failed to come to a consensus on whether to vote to approve Quail Hollow Golf & Country Club owner Andres Carollo’s request to rezone his property.

Instead of making a decision, the BCC voted 3-2 to continue the issue, until June 6 at 1:30 p.m. in Dade City.

Carollo and his Pasco Office Park LLC is seeking to change the zoning of his golf course property to MPUD, allowing him to raze the course and clubhouse and pave the way for 400 single-family homes, including 30,000-sq.-ft. of office and retail space and a 10,000-sq.-ft. daycare center.

Carollo already has a R1 zoning, which means he already can build a maximum of 306 homes on the golf course located at 6225 Old Pasco Rd if he chooses to.

“I’m not comfortable pushing this,’’ District 5 commissioner Jack Mariano told his fellow commissioners.

District 2 commissioner Mike Moore, who represents parts of Wesley Chapel, including the Quail Hollow area, and District 4 commissioner Mike Wells, voted with Mariano to continue the decision until June 6.

While acknowledging Carollo’s property rights, “I have concerns for the residents too,’’ Moore said. “It’s tough. Many of them were sold a golf course-front property, and when I met with them I saw titles that were signed by the applicant (Carollo). I saw the paperwork. It still concerns me.”

Attorney Barbara Wilhite, who is representing Pasco Office Park LLC, said her client deserved a decision, after four meetings and “countless” good faith changes to his original plan.

Wilhite argued that her client has gone back and made a number of modifications to the original plans to appease the residents and the county, but, “it is never enough.” She cited agreeing to a binding conceptual plan, traffic changes to improve safety and stormwater facilities to handle a 100-year storm (or a storm with a one-percent probability of occurring), when the county requires only 25 years.

Since the last hearing, Wilhite says Carollo has agreed to a very strict regulatory program in regards to offsite discharges, and agreed to hire an independent certified inspector to monitor stormwater erosion and sediment control both for pre-construction and during construction, at a notable cost.

“We have met conditions that far exceed your code,’’ Wilhite said.

When Mariano suggested a continuance to allow more time for Quail Hollow homeowners and Wilhite’s team to negotiate and work things out, Wilhite implored the BCC to vote. “I know what the (residents’) agenda is,’’ she said. “You heard them come here and object to conditions that anybody else that doesn’t want to stop a project would agree to. They want you to stop the project.”

Commissioners Kathryn Starkey of District 3 and Ron Oakley, whose District 1 borders Quail Hollow, voted against a continuance, saying they were on board with Wilhite’s request for a vote.

Both commissioners said they were in favor of the plan put forward by Carollo, because they are proponents of the rights of a property owner. Starkey said the adjustments made to the original plan made the current version “100 times” better.

“The fact is, these golf courses are going defunct everywhere…something has to be done with them and this gentlemen has property rights and I am definitely a property rights person,’’ Starkey said. “They have done as much as they can to negate the worst conditions.”

Dozens of Quail Hollow residents again packed the room for the meeting. A handful spoke -— including Sarasota-based attorney Maureen Jones, who is representing the Quail Hollow Neighborhood Citizens Group Inc. Those who did speak were often admonished by Moore and Pasco County attorney Jeff Steinsnyder for straying from the allowed topics — the four conditions related to pollution and run-off during construction that had been added to the development plan since the last meeting in April.

The June 6 meeting could bring to an end the long process of rezoning QHGCC, which was built in 1965 and despite closing from 2008-10, was bought for $1.7-million by Carollo and refurbished and re-opened.

In Jan. of 2016, the first rezoning request was filed by Carollo, and since then dozens of changes have been made to it.

This year alone, four meetings have been held regarding Carollo’s request to re-zone. On Jan. 12, a public hearing was held in Dade City, as the county’s Development Review Committee (DRC) heard from dozens of concerned Quail Hollow residents. The DRC continued that meeting to March, where it voted 4-1 to approve the zoning change.

That sent it to the BCC for final approval, but meetings in April and May both ended with continuances.

Mariano applauded Wilhite and her team’s efforts to get the rezoning approved. “This is the last hurdle,’’ he told her.

Infinite Edge Learning Center can boost your test scores

Korosh (left) and Ozra Jabbari invite your children to join the ever-growing roster of students they help do their best in school at the Infinite Edge Learning Center in Tampa Palms.

For college-bound high school students, SAT and ACT scores may mean the difference between attending the college of their dreams and bitter disappointment. At Infinite Edge Learning Center, located in the Tampa Palms Professional Center (off Commerce Park Blvd.), owner Ozra Jabbari and her staff of educators work with New Tampa students to be sure they’re poised to do their best on these important tests.

But, preparing for college entrance exams isn’t the only studying and tutoring happening at Infinite Edge.

“We help students in every class and every subject,” says Ozra. From elementary school to challenging college-level classes, tutors who are professional teachers and even college professors are matched to students who need help catching up or want to push ahead in any and all subjects. “If a student tells me they need help in a subject, I find a qualified teacher to help them.”

Just some of the courses they have helped students with include all levels of mathematics, language development and enrichment, general science, chemistry, reading, foreign languages, and all Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses.

The center also accommodates many different student needs. For example, a summer enrichment program helps students who don’t have time for tutoring during the school year to get ahead for the following school year. Those whose first language is something other than English also can get help with language improvement. Infinite Edge tutors also help students who are serious athletes or musicians who can’t be in school full time. After-school care is even available to some students from Chiles and Tampa Palms elementaries. “When their parents get off work, they’ve had their snack and their homework is done,” Ozra says.

No matter why a student comes to Infinite Edge, Ozra promises that, “Our curriculum is individualized. We don’t have one curriculum for every student or every subject. For each student who comes to us, we design a program for their specific needs. We continually assess each child and help them improve to reach a higher level.”

Ozra and her late husband Sobi opened Infinite Edge Learning Center in 2007. Sobi passed away last fall after a battle with throat cancer, and Ozra is keeping his legacy alive by continuing to provide the superior services that have always been offered at Infinite Edge to the students Sobi cared so much about.

“Sobi touched so many lives,” Ozra says. “His funeral was held on a rainy day last August and there were at least 45 students who attended, from Freedom and King high schools, and former Infinite Edge students from USF, UF, and UCF.”

The family has lived in Tampa Palms for more than 20 years. Their daughter, Farush, is a sophomore at nearby Freedom High. Their son, Korosh, is currently in the USF Honors College combined B.S./M.D. program, where he will earn both a Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Medicine degree in no more than seven years. He also is a full-time tutor at Infinite Edge.

Home Of The Perfect Score!

“Every time we have students take the SAT and ACT, we have at least one perfect score,” says Ozra. “We give students the materials to prepare, and they work hard.”

She says this spring, about 15 Infinite Edge students took the college entrance exams, and “everyone did well.” She says one student had a perfect score on the ACT and several students had SAT scores above 1500.

Beginning last March, the SAT now has a new format. While the old SAT offered a total of 2,400 points (800 each in math, reading and writing), the new SAT is only 1,600 points, still with 800 points available in the math portion but only 800 points available for reading and writing combined.

“The new test is more difficult,” says Korosh. “It relies less on test-taking strategies, such as elimination. Students need to deeply understand concepts from classrooms and how they apply these concepts to real- life situations.”

Students who attend Infinite Edge continue to be well prepared. Ozra says that the biggest problem she sees is that many parents wait too long to think about the SAT or ACT. She says that if students haven’t begun preparing for these tests before their junior year — which is when they need to take the test in order to apply for college — they simply run out of time.

She says a full program with Infinite Edge often takes eight months to a year, and cramming doesn’t get the same results as taking your time and going through the entire program. “We recommend one-on-one, customized test preparation,” says Ozra, “but we also offer group preparation courses.” Group courses have no more than six students (usually fewer) and are a more affordable way to prepare for the tests.

And, not only does Infinite Edge help students get into college with SAT and ACT test prep, they also help students with tests they need to get into post-graduate schools and programs, such as the GRE (Graduate Record Examination)/GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test).

No Contracts/Great Results

One thing that sets Infinite Edge Learning Center apart from its competition is that there are no contracts. “You come as long as you need us,” explains Ozra, “and you always get personal attention.”

Ozra says that her prices are lower than other tutoring centers in the area. “In fact, we haven’t raised our prices at all in more than seven years,” she says.

Tampa Palms resident Viola Wang says she recommends Infinite Edge. “My daughter started going several months ago, and she really enjoys learning there,” Viola says. Her daughter, Megan Zheng, is a junior at King High. “They really accommodate whatever she needs.”

Viola says Megan had taken the PSAT, then started test prep with Infinite Edge to get ready for the SAT this spring. Megan just received her results and, while she doesn’t want to share her score, Viola says Megan was, “happy and surprised she got such a great score.”

Viola says Infinite Edge also helped Megan when she needed some support in math. “She did a little bit of math (tutoring) and was able to stop when she felt like she could handle it herself,” says Viola. “Ozra is so flexible and accommodating. High school juniors have such a tough schedule and Ozra is great about adjusting to her needs.”

The success of youngsters like Megan is always great news to Ozra.

“I’m very proud of my students,” Ozra says. “When it comes to the end of the year and they’re getting good grades and high test scores, it brings me happiness.”

Infinite Edge Learning Center (17419 Bridge Hill Ct.) is open Mon.-Fri., 2 p.m.–8 p.m., and 9 a.m.–5 p.m. on Sat. Weekday morning hours are available by appointment only for students who homeschool or do online courses. For more info, visit InfiniteEdgeLearningCenter.com or call (813) 971-6500.

Racetrac close, Culver’s coming

Buying food from a gas station used to be unthinkable. But, the days of stopping in to your local convenience store for a shriveled up hot dog or to stick a frozen burrito in a microwave are over.

You can count Racetrac, including the new one getting ready to open on the southeast corner of BBD and Cypress Preserve Dr., among the convenience stores that have been evolving over the years and making food service, good coffee and even household items a staple of its business.

The new Racetrac, which is located directly across Cypress Preserve Dr. from the Chase bank and LA Fitness in Tampa Palms, is expected to be open by mid-June. It is among those gas stations putting an emphasis on making themselves into food destinations.

Wawa, located right up the road in Wesley Chapel on S.R. 56, has perfected this experience. Many mornings, there are more people sitting at red iron tables outside eating than filling their cars with gas, and the quality food has attained a cult-like status.

Racetrac, which also has a S.R. 56 location, is spending millions remodeling its stores to have extra seating and WiFi, so customers can order food and even stop in with the kids for frozen yogurt at one of the Swirl World stations — boasting 40 or so toppings for your dessert — without having to eat it on the go.

The 5,928-sq.-ft. Tampa Palms location will have 18 gas pumps and is one of 50 the Atlanta-based company is opening in Florida (and 10th overall in Tampa), as well as remodeling others.

MORE FOOD: According to paperwork filed with Pasco County, Culver’s Restaurant, which already has a location in front of the Tampa Premium Outlets (or TPO), as well as one on Bearss Ave. near I-275, is hoping to build another near the Shops at Wiregrass.

Culver’s, which is popular in the Midwest (it started in Wisconsin) with its frozen custard and Butterburgers, submitted a pre app form to build a 110-seat, 4,476-sq.ft. restaurant with 66 parking spots immediately east of the Shops at Wiregrass.

The new Culver’s will have direct access off S.R. 56 and the under-construction Wiregrass Ranch access road.

URGENT CARE: BayCare Urgent Care is coming to the New Tampa area, taking over the space formerly occupied by Pier 1 Imports (now at The Walk at Highwoods Preserve). We’ll provide more details in a future issue.

City Councilman Luis Viera Begins His ‘New Tampa Council’

Tampa City Councilman Luis Viera, who represents District 7 (which includes Forest Hills, Terrace Park, New Tampa and the University of South Florida area), insists he will represent New Tampa’s best interests, but he also says he can’t do it alone.

That’s why he has created the New Tampa Council, a collection of representatives from local neighborhoods that he hopes will soon carry weight when it comes to getting things done in the area.

Still relatively new, the New Tampa Council has met a few times, and is still hoping to add members before it becomes a full-fledged and effective organization.

“The idea is really twofold,’’ says Viera, a Hunter’s Green resident. “One, it’s to help give me ideas from each neighborhood, so I know what they want and what is important to them. Secondly, I hope the Council can help effectively lobby the city.”

Along the same lines, Viera is hosting a New Tampa Community Town Hall on Monday, June 5, 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m., at the New Tampa Recreation Center in Tampa Palms.

Viera will host representatives of the Tampa Police Department and Tampa Code Enforcement, and issues like transportation, crime, code enforcement, parks and recreation, the city budget and others will be discussed.

Many of the things discussed at the town hall could end up on the New Tampa Council’s agenda as well. Viera says the members of the group are trying to develop a platform and purpose for the council.

Because New Tampa is a bit “compartmentalized” (where residents are more identified by which community they live in than in other areas of the city), the needs of the entire area can sometimes take a backseat. The New Tampa Council is hoping to, in some cases, erase any barriers between the communities.

“Hunter’s Green, Tampa Palms, Cory Lake Isles, Heritage Isles (and others), they all have their own concerns,’’ Viera says. “But, they are separated when it comes to lobbying the city. The council could bring those groups together (with more of a collective voice). I think that could be a real game-changer for New Tampa.”

Viera also has been active in appointing local residents to some of the city’s many advisory boards.

Included in those appointments are Michael Stephens of Grand Hampton (City of Tampa Charter Review Commission), Rob Gidel of Tampa Palms (Metropolitan Planning Organization Advisory Board), Joe Farrell of Grand Hampton (Citizens Advisory Budget Committee), Cory Person of Cross Creek (Civil Service Review Board) and Mike Gibson of Tampa Palms (Code Enforcement Magistrate).

Viera also continues to hold meetings for the newly formed North Tampa Veterans Council (picture above), which he says has been drawing 15-20 people to each of the three meetings the group already has held.

To contact Luis Viera, call (813) 274-7073 or email him at Luis.Viera@tampagov.net.

Local Andy On Call Franchise Is Available To Repair & Remodel Your Home!

Reggie Morgan, the co-owner of the local Andy OnCall franchise, has professional craftsmen who can fix/remodel anything in your home.

To-do lists around the house can easily pile up. When an appliance breaks down or a major repair is needed in your home, the task can be overwhelming. Wouldn’t it be nice if there was a place that promised to tackle your entire to-do list and give you back your weekend?

Well, there is. Andy OnCall is licensed, bonded and insured and is your one-call solution for home improvements, maintenance and remodels.

Sometimes, it’s just small, nagging repairs that you just can’t get around to or can’t quite find the right part for. Andy OnCall can help. Even with something as simple as hanging a picture frame, hanging some shelves or installing a pet door, a screened and certified craftsman will come to your home and leave you with a completed job and a one-year warranty on the labor.

Andy OnCall craftsmen prefer to finish jobs, too. Taking into consideration large projects that take a little longer —say, a new kitchen, or extensive plumbing work — co-owner Reggie Morgan estimates that 80 percent of the jobs they take on are completed in a matter of hours, days or weeks.

Andy OnCall covers the entire spectrum of home repair, even if it’s not one of their craftsmen handling the job.

“We don’t physically do roofs but we have roofing contractors that work for us,” Morgan says. “If we can’t do it, we will find someone who can. Rather than you calling five different people, we can do that. We are a one-stop shop.”

All Craftsmen Are Screened & Certified

Andy OnCall doesn’t just hire anyone. “Most guys have a minimum 10 years of experience when they come to us,” Morgan says. “That’s 10 years, verifiable, with their own truck and tools.”

Craftsmen are given lighter jobs early, with Morgan or managing partner and co-owner Vince Pizzitola following up on the work.

Pizzitola and Morgan bid the larger jobs and will use newer hires in on-the-job training, always making sure that “newbies” first work with a veteran craftsman. Craftsmen are given yearly background checks and have printed badges with photo identification on them.

“We don’t just hire people,” Morgan says. “We want someone that fits our role and knows what we expect.”

Andy OnCall carries insurance that covers the company’s employees, including their employees’ vehicles, while they are on the job, and is licensed for electrical, plumbing and air-conditioning (HVAC) work.

Craftsmen split the rates set by Andy OnCall with the company. Craftsmen are paid by the job and not by the hour. And, Andy OnCall offers free estimates for jobs.

“We will actually go out to the site to evaluate your needs,” Morgan says. “There’s no obligation but we don’t give estimates over the phone.”

In addition to Morgan and Pizzitola, the company currently has eight craftsmen and two office workers. And, the craftsmen are spread across the tri-county service area (Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco).

Craftsmen are scheduled so that they either stay close to their homes or at least end their route near their homes.

“We try to keep them working in a systematic way,” Morgan says. “We will try to steer the workers home with bids.”

This makes for a shortened commute that employees appreciate. It also saves the company money, while getting someone to your home more promptly.

“It makes a difference because you’re not getting the job done if you’re in your car, driving from place to place,” Pizzitola says. “We have craftsmen strategically located in areas around the Tampa Bay area and they tend to handle those areas.”

Andy OnCall also will cater to the skillset of each craftsman. If a craftsman specializes in drywall, he/she will get a lot of drywall bids. If another is a skilled electrician, those craftsmen will more often get the electrical bids.

Pizzitola and Morgan are there as backup, too, just in case.

“We want our craftsmen to be successful,” Morgan says. “We train them, but Vince and I are also available to walk them through something on the phone, too.”

Craftsmen At Heart

Andy OnCall was established in 1993 in Chattanooga, TN. Founder and CEO Tom Harris had built a reputation as a homebuilder in the 80s and 90s and people regularly asked Harris to take care of small projects for them. “Builders want to build, but Tom saw a need for a handyman service,” Morgan says.

So, why Andy, and not, say, Tom OnCall? “Back in 1992, the phone book was the internet,’’ Morgan says. “So, you wanted your name show up on the first pages of the yellow pages.”

By 1997, Harris’ daughter Tamara developed the computer software that culminated into the program used to run the business today. The original business in Chattanooga became the first franchise in May of 1999. There are now 2,849 franchises nationwide.

Pizzitola came into the Tampa franchise five years ago as a craftsman. He actually has a background in chemistry and engineering and worked  at rehabbing houses for 10 years. He even ran his own handyman service for a while.

Pizzitola handled the New Tampa/Wesley Chapel area as a craftsman and still takes jobs in that area but has transitioned into more of a managerial role. He came on as the local franchise co-owner in January of this year.

“I still am the main backup or problem solver, but now I’m more of a resource,” Pizzitola says.

Morgan bought the franchise located on W. Linebaugh Ave. in Tampa in April of last year. He comes from a nine-year career in the Navy, working in electronic warfare. He also has worked in the broadcast industry and was a Sears Home Central district manager responsible for 114 technicians before moving to Wesley Chapel 15 years ago. But, he still came from a building background.

“My father was a carpenter,” Morgan says. “I grew up with all the skills from him. He could fix or build anything.”

In Tampa, Morgan then took over as director of services for Invitation Homes in 2012. He says she saw the company grow from five employees and 500 homes to 168 employees and more than 5,000 homes — in six months. When the company downsized, Morgan knew it was time to jump ship.

“Andy OnCall had name recognition, the location was 16 years old and it was a good match to my needs,” Morgan says.

That unique name recognition and level of service are now taking root in Tampa Bay.

If you’ve been putting off a repair or need someone to tackle your to-do list, call Andy on Call at (813) 961-2600 or swing by the office at 5008 W. Linebaugh Ave., Suite 35, to set up an appointment for service or a free estimate. The office is open Mon.-Fri., 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.. Visit AndyOnCallTampaBay.com.