Wesley Chapel 2017 Year In Review: News

(l.-r.) Meadow Pointe III residents Javier Casillas, Ernie Rodriguez, Gary Suris and Nick Casillas begin cutting up the second of three trees they removed on Beardsley Dr. following Hurricane Irma. (Photo courtesy of Inelia Semonick).

TOP STORIES OF 2017: Hurricane Irma, The Curtis Reeves Trial & ‘American Idol’ Made Headlines!

From development to new businesses to the Curtis Reeves trial garnering national interest, there was no shortage of news in Wesley Chapel in 2017.

However, Category 5 Hurricane Irma stole the show.

News of her impending arrival set off a frenzy unlike any other Wesley Chapel has experienced in recent memory. A week before she even touched ground in Florida, water and plywood (to board up windows) became the area’s hottest commodities, flying off the shelves of local stores.

Many, quite literally, fled, clogging roads with evacuees heading for higher ground or, as the storm got closer, local shelters. Gasoline was sparse from Miami to Atlanta, GA.

In Pasco County, 24,000 residents spent the night in one of 26 shelters.

“We were scared. Everyone was scared,’’ Meadow Pointe III’s Inelia Semonick told us afterwards. When the storm cut a path up the middle of Florida and bore down on Wesley Chapel, she, and many others, took to their closets.

Cristy Norland and her family suffered serious flooding of their Quail Hollow home. (Photo: Cristy Norland)

Fortunately for Wesley Chapel and the rest of Tampa Bay, Irma didn’t deliver a knockout punch, just a gentle slap upside the head. Or, in the case of those who lost power in Pasco County — 217,382 out of 261,000 total addresses, or 83 percent — more like two slaps upside the head.

At Cat 5 strength, Irma devastated parts of south Florida, but hit the Tampa Bay area as a Category 2 hurricane, still enough to uproot smaller trees and scatter large branches. There was flooding in parts of Wesley Chapel, and many pool cages and fences did not survive unscathed. Clean-up, however, took weeks.

Among the other news making national headlines happened in Pasco County court, where, nearly four years after Curtis Reeves Jr. shot Chad Oulson, 43, to death in the Cobb Grove 16 movie theater, Pasco judge Susan Barthle ruled that Reeves could not use the “stand your ground” defense.

Reeves had hoped to use the argument that he was defending himself when he shot Oulson in January 2014. He is appealing Barthle’s ruling.

Pool photo: OCTAVIO JONES | Times
Curtis Reeves Jr. takes the stand to testify during his “stand your ground” hearing at the Robert D. Sumner Judicial Center in Dade City, Florida, on Tuesday, February 28, 2017. 

In happier news in 2017, the area attracted two significant sports stories, which you can read about on page 32 in our current issue — the women’s tennis Federation Cup at Saddlebrook and the U.S. Olympic women’s hockey team, which prepared for the 2018 Winter Games in Wesley Chapel.

Speaking of that gold-medal favorite women’s hockey team, their home ice since September has been Florida Hospital Center Ice (FHCI), which opened its doors in January (see page 11).

FHCI also has opened the way for a number of notable events to be held, including the Taste of New Tampa & Wesley Chapel.

The long-running Taste — which will be held for the 22nd time this year on Sunday, March 25, noon-4 p.m. — attracted nearly 2,000 people who got to sample the wares of nearly 50 local food and beverage vendors, and raised $11,000  for the charities supported by the event’s organizer, the Rotary Club of New Tampa and its partner, the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce.

“American Idol,” which is making a comeback and will air on ABC-TV  this year, held tryouts at FHCI in August, attracting 400 hopefuls. While no one has been officially reported as making it past the following stage, which was held in Orlando, some locals did make it at least that far.

And, on pages 11 and 38, check out 2017’s explosion of local businesses in Wesley Chapel, as restaurants like Noble Crust, Irish 31 and Ford’s Garage opened, to name a few, as well as at least a dozen other new businesses, including two more luxury auto dealerships (Audi and Lexus), as the area continued to be one of the hottest in all of Florida for growth and expansion.

Meadow Pointe II Residents Fighting Proposed 7-Eleven

Wesley Chapel may be developing at breakneck speed, but hundreds of Meadow Pointe residents think there are still lines that need not be crossed.

One of those lines is at the southwest corner of Mansfield Blvd. and County Line Rd., where developers are hoping to build a 3,010-sq.-ft. 7-Eleven gas station and convenience store — adjacent to the Kids R Kids Learning Academy of Meadow Pointe.

A petition started by Meadow Pointe II resident Chris Dillinger was quickly approaching 1,000 signatures last week, as residents expressed concern about having a 16-pump gas station located so close to a preschool.

“That is our No. 1 concern,” said Dillinger, a 39-year-old high school counselor at Sunlake High in Land O’Lakes. “The way the school is set back off of (Mansfield Blvd.), it will basically be blocked in by 16 fuel pumps. It’s not a good set-up. It makes the school less safe.”

Dillinger and other Meadow Pointe II residents have been in contact with Pasco County governmental officials, voicing their concerns.

Trout Creek Properties, Inc., is either making a request for a special exception to sell gas under its current C-1 (neighborhood commercial) zoning, or asking to be granted a Substantial Modification Request to have the 5.32-acre parcel rezoned from C1 to C-2, which is general commercial.

Trout Creek’s first meeting with the county’s Development Review Committee (DRC) in December was first continued to today, but Pasco County senior planner Corelynn Howell said the meeting this afternoon was likely to be continued as well, to a date to be determined.

According to Howell, the developers will need to re-notice the development, which involves mailing notices to all of the property owners abutting the proposed development, as well as re-posting signs.

“The county has concerns about it, so we’re going back and forth with the applicant, negotiating the issues on both sides,” Howell says. “Everyone needs to get their ducks in a row.”

Howell did say the county is leaning away from granting a re-zoning to C-2, because it prefers the property remain residential commercial. In that case, a special exception appears to be the way forward for Trout Creek.

Meadow Pointe II has an ally in Pasco County District 2 commissioner Mike Moore, who represents the area on the Pasco County Board of County Commissioners (BCC).

Moore told organizers that if the re-zoning request made it past the DRC to the BCC — which he chairs — he would vote against it.

“I agree with them,’’ Moore said. “This is a terrible location for these gas pumps. With a daycare center right behind it, it’s just not compatible with the area, in my opinion.”

Another proposed 7-Eleven is currently working its way through the permitting process, near yet another preschool. Developers are looking to build a 2,988-sq.-ft. 7-Eleven at the corner of Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. and Vanguard St., in front of the existing Goddard School and the new Premier Heart & Vascular Center.

The developers had their pre-application meeting with county planners in October.

For more information about the Meadow Pointe II petition, visit http://bit.ly/2CvXWYw.

Wesley Chapel 2017 Year in Review: Development

Residents who live near the Quail Hollow Golf & Country Club golf course packed the Dade City Courthouse hoping to keep a developer from replacing the golf course with 400 homes.

Connected City, Sports Complex & Quail Hollow Kept The BCC Busy In 2017

We could probably dedicate all 48 pages of our upcoming Wesley Chapel issue to its rapid growth in 2017. It was just that crazy busy.

In fact, one could argue it was the busiest year on record in Wesley Chapel, with massive projects either gaining approval, moving ground or sprouting up in almost every corner of the area.

Let’s focus here, however, on what was approved in 2017 and coming down the road, and save what actually opened its doors for our story on 2017’s best new businesses.

The biggest project, the 7,800-acre “connected city,” was approved by the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) in February by a 5-0 vote, which is expected to help create something no other city in America has — a built-from-the-ground-up gigabit community.

District 2 Pasco commissioner Mike Moore, who represents much of Wesley Chapel, said after the vote, “We actually made history today.”

After nearly two years of studies and planning, the BCC’s green light has already triggered major development in the connected city sector, which includes the area running north from Overpass Rd. in Wesley Chapel to S.R. 52 in San Antonio, and west from I-75 to Curley Rd.

Metro Development owns roughly 35 percent of the land, and has already begun, well…connecting. Metro’s Epperson development has its first residents (as we reported last issue) and the first-ever Crystal Lagoon is already filled (see page 8).

Still to come — another Crystal Lagoon in the nearby Mirada development, more homes, schools and business, alternative transportation along integrated roadways and, potentially, jobs as developers and planners have touted the connected city as a futuristic economic engine.

While Wesley Chapel is jumping into the high-tech community pool headfirst, it also is looking to take a piece of the $15-billion a year pie that is youth sports.

A large sports complex with adjoining hotel was also approved by the BCC in the spring by a 5-0 vote, which later agreed to double the county’s Tourist Development Tax (TDT), or bed tax, in order to help finance it.

The $44-million project will be built on part of a 224-acre parcel located northeast of the Shops of Wiregrass in the Wiregrass Ranch Development of  Regional Impact (DRI). The parcel is owned by the county and has had a history of failed efforts to build something sports-related on it.

While the project is currently only in the planning stages, RADD Sports, which will develop it, says it is shooting for a spring 2019 opening.

In conjunction with Mainsail Development, the sports complex will have one of the first full-service Marriott-branded Residence Inns, a 120-room hotel that will be L-shaped to create a courtyard at the entrance to the sports complex — which also will have an amphitheater for concerts, a trail system, seven soccer fields and a 98,000-sq.ft. indoor facility expected to attract the top youth sports tournaments and athletes from around the country, with thousands of visitors expected to make an economic impact on the area.

And, residents who live near Quail Hollow Country Club lost a long fight with the course’s owners and developers, who received approval in June to replace the golf course with homes.

Andres Carollo and his Pasco Office Park LLC received a zoning change, by a 3-2 vote, which allows him to build 400 single-family homes, 30,000-sq.-ft. of office and retail space and a 10,000-sq.-ft. daycare center on the former golf course property.

Hundreds of Quail Hollow residents attended a handful of BCC and other meetings to make their voices heard, and successfully delayed approval of the project for months.

All around Wesley Chapel, new businesses started construction. A slew of restaurants — including a much-awaited Bahama Breeze on S.R. 56 — and boutique or green grocery stores are planned to begin building on or near S.R.s 54 and 56 in 2018.

Will 2018 be as busy? Wiregrass Ranch’s J.D. Porter recently hinted at some more major developments coming this year, so our guess would be:

Buckle up!

Palms Pharmacy In Tampa Palms Is Dedicated To Serving The Community!

It has been about a year since I first met and interviewed Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) Shahida (pronounced “Sha-Da”) Choudhry and pharmacy technician Naivis Valdez of the Palms Pharmacy in The Shoppes at The Pointe in Tampa Palms, and a lot of new things have happened in that short time.

Although no one will ever accuse the Palms Pharmacy of being overcrowded with merchandise, Shahida and Naivis have added a number of new products and services — and all are still available at prices that beat the national pharmacy or grocery chains, if you could even find the same natural, health-conscious brands at those pharmacy “superstores.”

And of course, even though some people do get to know their pharmacist, I can assure you that you will never receive better, more personalized service anywhere else. Yes, Palms Pharmacy has great products, but their specialty is still bringing back the “good old days” of the “corner drug store.”

A Pharmacy App For The Digital Age

Of course, in today’s fast-paced, digital world, Shahida and Naivis can offer technology to make your pharmacy experience even more convenient with a new, free app — an app that currently is only available at Palms Pharmacy in all of Tampa.

The app is called “RxLocal” and it allows you to refill your prescriptions, receive reminders and even interact with the pharmacy. “It’s so convenient,” Shahida said as she got me signed up to use the app. “Everyone who has tried it has found it really easy to use.”

Even so, one of the things I love the most about the Palms Pharmacy is that Shahida and Naivis are somehow able to beat the national drug chains on price and can even compete favorably with Walmart and other discount stores on everything from prescriptions to over-the-counter (OTC) medications.

In last year’s article about the store, I mentioned that I saved money on items like extra-strength Tylenol and Mucinex and those discounts haven’t gone away.

Best of all, with new products and services being added all the time, you’re sure to find what you’re looking for at the Palms Pharmacy.

If you like natural vitamins and supplements, the store now carries two additional all-natural lines — Ortho Molecular Products & Pure Encapsulations, as well as Nordic Naturals. Pure promises, “Zero compromises. Pure Results,” in supplements that have zero gluten, zero hydrogenated fat, zero artificial sweeteners and colors and zero magnesium stearate.

Meanwhile, Ortho Molecular Products promise, “Quality beyond what’s expected,” and to take multiple steps other companies may not take to ensure the quality of the company’s formulations.

Expanding The Zum Line & More

In our last story about the Palms Pharmacy, I mentioned that the store carried multiple products in the Zum line from Indigo Wild, which creates, “Natural products for body & home.”

My fiance Jannah absolutely loves the Zum Bar all-natural soaps and the company keeps coming out with new scents. Palms Pharmacy also carries Zum Kiss lip products, Zum Body lotions, Zum Rub moisturizers with shea butter and Zum Mist aromatherapy & body mists.

“Our customers have gone absolutely crazy asking for more of the Zum line and, of course, we listened,” says Shahida. “And we continue to add other all-natural products, like the American Provenance all-natural deodorants, because we keep getting customer requests for more.”

Shahida and Naivis also like to support local companies, like “KurVee Girl,” or KVG bath “bombs,” which the KurVeeGirl.com website describe as, “a great way to scent and enrich your bath with amazing oils essential for hydrating your skin and leaving it soft.”

Shahida says that KVG bath bombs and other all-natural skincare products are made nearby in Dade City, FL, and come in another unique variety of scents, including Wild Orchid, Ginger & Lime, Fresh Cotton and many more.

Also new at Palms Pharmacy is the line of LovePop pop-up greeting cards. Each card is a work of origami and there are cards for every occasion from birthdays to holidays to wedding announcements that will surely become a keepsake for anyone who receives one.

Discounted Lab Work, Too

Shahida and Naivis also are proud that the Palms Pharmacy has recently contracted with two laboratories in order to provide discounted lab tests to their patients.

“Some doctors already complain that our prescription drug prices are too low,” Shahida says, “but now, with our contract with Quest Diagnostics, we can offer discounted blood work that doesn’t have to be ordered by your doctor.”

A second lab, ZRT Laboratory, offers discounted saliva hormone testing.

“Doctors were sending me the results of hormone tests (for estrogen, testosterone, cortisol and more) and telling me which hormones to use to properly balance them,” Shahida says. “Now, we can do those tests here, send the results to the patient’s doctor for less and even compound them here.”

  

Community Caring, Global Reach

Shahida and Naivis also are proud to be rooted in the New Tampa community and beyond. They have been donating thousands of dollars in OTC medications and medical supplies to Puerto Rico, not just since Hurricane Maria (see story on pg. 12), but since Hurricane Irma hit the island in September.

“We also have donated a lot of school supplies to schools here in our community and our Team Palms Pharmacy T-shirts have been worn by people on mission trips all over the world, from Thailand to Switzerland to Puerto Rico and even the USF Latin American Medical Student Association mission trip to the Dominican Republic.

“We’re here to help any way we can,” she says. “So, come on in, have a cup of complimentary coffee or our ‘snack of the week’ and let us treat you like family, too.”

The Palms Pharmacy is located at 17008 Palm Pointe Dr. and is open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday (closed on Sunday). For more information, including about local delivery, call (813) 252-9063, or visit ThePalmsPharmacy.com.

Wesley Chapel 2017 Year in Review: People

(l.-r.) Zezura, son Jordyn, daughter Aryanna and Patrick Ruddell have made their Mini Doughnut Factory in South Tampa one of Tampa Bay’s hottest spots, and hope to bring one to Wesley Chapel one day. (Photo courtesy of Lindsey Meyer)

It Was A Busy Year For Locals Making Their Mark

From online stars to booming business, from reality competition shows to good old-fashioned game shows, Wesley Chapel saw its share of residents get their 15 minutes of fame in 2017.

Back in August, Florida Hospital Center Ice was home to “Tampa Bay Idol,” an audition for the new incarnation of “American Idol,” which will now air on ABC-TV. The local tryout was hosted by Channel 28-WFTS-TV’s “ABC Action News,” and more than 400 people showed up to audition.

Over the past 12 months, we have introduced you to Wesley Chapel residents and “Idol” hopefuls Brittany Collins, 28, who is a third-grade teacher at Heritage Elementary in New Tampa, and Caloi Koelndorfer, a 16-year-old junior at Wiregrass Ranch High.

“It was awesome,’’ Caloi said of her audition. “I just let it go and tried to have fun.”

Those who got the thumbs-up – including both Brittany and Caloi – were awarded a “front-of-the-line” certificate to the next round of tryouts, held in Orlando. Unfortunately, both of their “American Idol” journeys ended there.

We’ve heard that one Wesley Chapel resident and two “Tampa Bay Idol” contestants may have made it to the next round of auditions. But, that’s still all we know at this time. The show doesn’t air until March, so we’ll keep you posted if a Wesley Chapel resident appears on it.

Then, in October, we watched NBC-TV’s “The Voice,” catching glimpses of 16-year-old Wiregrass Ranch High junior Alexandra Joyce. Her audition and subsequent battle round were reduced to montages on the show, so the hit show’s audience didn’t get to really appreciate the full extent of the teen’s talents.

After three chairs turned around for Alexandra –— those of Academy- and Grammy-award winner Jennifer Hudson, Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine and country crooner Blake Shelton — she joined Jennifer’s team. But, Alexandra’s journey on the show ended in her first battle round.

“I think it’s definitely been kind of a stepping stone for me,” she says. “I have a single on iTunes; I never in a million years thought I would have a single on iTunes.” Alexandra’s two audition songs, Taylor Swift’s “Wildest Dreams” and Charlie Puth’s “One Call Away” are both still available.

In November, Wesley Chapel resident Christopher Moody’s stint on the CBS-TV daytime game show “Let’s Make A Deal” aired.

Which was more memorable — that he won $18,000 worth of prizes, including a new dining room set and a 7-day trip for two to Greece, or Moody’s spot-on hot dog costume?

Moody was offered $1,000 for a box with unknown contents — then $1,400, then $2,000.

“I turned it down,” Moody says. “It was just a gut feel. Right from the beginning, I was hoping I’d win a trip, I had a good hunch that is what was going to be in the box.”

Turns out he’s glad he followed that hunch.

And, we don’t want to forget to mention Zammy, the 100-pound “sheepadoodle” whose picture at the Shops at Wiregrass mall (right) went viral on the social media site reddit.

Zammy had about 600 followers on his Instagram account, @ZammyPup, before his photo hit reddit. After that, his owner, New Tampa resident Todd Pitner, says, “It went from 600 to 1,000 overnight, then 2,000 in a week, then 9,000.”

This pic of Zammy went viral after it was posted on reddit, and Todd Pitner (top right) says it has been viewed more than a million times.

Zammy continues to gain fans. As of the end of 2017, the lovable Sheepadoodle has more than 71,000 followers.

“Zammy’s just a really special dog, with a special personality,” says Todd, “and he brings joy to people.”

Something else that brings joy to people is – let’s be honest – doughnuts. Another Wesley Chapel resident we featured in 2017 was Patrick Ruddell who has made his Mini Doughnut Factory in South Tampa one of Tampa Bay’s hottest spots, with a crowd almost always out the door.

Ridell’s second Mini Doughnut Factory just opened in St. Petersburg.

At one point this year, Patrick and his wife, Zezura, were on the verge of a deal to open a store in Wesley Chapel on S.R. 56. What they thought was a done deal, however, wasn’t, as they say the leasing company reneged on an agreement.

As for opening a store in the community where they live, Patrick says, “We want it more than anything.” Here’s hoping 2018 is the year that brings Wesley Chapel its own Mini Doughnut Factory.