Here’s Everything Happening With Double Branch & Abbey Crossings!

Double Branch & The Adjacent Abbey Crossings To Bring New Residential, Retail, Restaurants & More To Just North Of Wesley Chapel 

The map of the Double Branch & Abbey Crossings Master Planned Unit Developments. (Google map modified by Joel Provenzano)

 The first shells of customer-facing businesses in two new “Connected City” developments are rising from the construction sand nearly a year after the completion of the first warehouses in Double Branch and Abbey Crossings — or what seemed like an eternity in this local development climate. 

The Double Branch (and we’re not talking about the Double Branch Elementary most Wesley Chapel residents are familiar with; this is a completely different location with an entirely different purpose) and Abbey Crossings Master Planned Unit Developments (MPUDs) are beginning to really take shape. 

These two separate, yet conjoined, MPUDs are sandwiched together along S.R. 52, in the space between I-75 and the massive Mirada housing development — immediately north of Wesley Chapel (see map). 

The address for all of these new properties? Surprisingly, San Antonio, FL. 

The northern boundary of Epperson marks the end of Wesley Chapel’s 33545 zip code, putting both of these developments in San Ann’s 33576 zip code, although both are actually located (as is Mirada) in unincorporated Pasco County, outside the tiny city limits of San Antonio, which covers only 1.2 sq. miles. 

So while Double Branch (DB) and Abbey Crossings (AC) aren’t technically in Wesley Chapel, the information in this story is still helpful for readers who live along the northern edge of Wesley Chapel, where these two MPUDs — and their new dining, shopping, entertainment and employment options — will be closer to the residents of Epperson than many of the other areas of Wesley Chapel. 

And if you’re like us, you’re probably just nosy about what’s being built nearby. 

The Basics 

Both of these large developments (roughly 1,300 acres combined) have been talked about for several years now as important mixed-use developments for Pasco County and the so-called “Connected City,” and will both feature restaurants, retail, offices, industrial, warehouses, residential, healthcare, medical and entertainment. 

A good majority of the roads, intersections and roundabouts (at least for the initial phase) in both developments are pretty much done. 

And, three newer traffic signals are now up along S.R. 52 to serve these developments — the first was installed off the corner of the longstanding Flying J truck stop at Tradeway Blvd. (formerly Pasco Rd., which is being realigned to go under I-75), the second is at McKendree Rd., and the third serves the new warehouses located to the north at Montserrat Way.

Double Branch: What’s Already Built? 

– 75 Logistics (completed): These warehouse/industrial spaces were the first buildings to be completed in either development. Visible from I-75, the space is made up of three initial buildings: approximately 200,000 sq. ft., 155,000 sq. ft., and 125,000 sq. ft. All of the buildings still appear to sit unoccupied at the time of our writing, even though they were completed a year ago. 

What’s Under Construction In DB? 

– DB (for Double Branch) Townhomes (utilities in, foundations next): Currently, there’s still no official name, but it’s being referred to as the Pasco Town Center Lot E Rear Load Townhomes (w/ Amenity Center) in the permit. 

The project consists of 174 townhome lots, an amenity center with a pool and cabana, and a portion of Double Branch Pkwy. This project is within the greater Pasco Town Center master planned community inside of Double Branch and is the first of what will be two townhome communities in that immediate area, the other being Yardly Double Branch (upcoming). 

“Rear Load” means that the garages will be in the back of the units in alleyways, and some (but not all) of the units will have on-street parking in the front. The home builder is not known at this time. 

What’s Coming Soon To DB? 

– Yardly Double Branch (plans just submitted): This rental community will feature 140 multi-family residences on around 11 acres. For those unfamiliar with the “Yardly” concept, it’s Taylor Morrison’s rental development concept, where each unit (4 units to a building) has, you guessed it, a small fenced-in yard. 

About half the units will have attached garages, but others will not. Standard parking spaces are provided throughout the community in front of each unit for guests and residents. 

This rendering shows The Boardwalk at Double Branch wrapping around the lake. The Shops are on the far left & the Columnar Apartments are on the far right. (Source: SRS Real Estate Partners) 

– The Shops & The Boardwalk (plans submitted): This is going to be Double Branch’s much-anticipated retail zone located against S.R. 52. The concept brings something that has really been lacking from the area to take advantage of our amazing sunsets — unobstructed west-facing water views from a restaurant. This plan brings not just one, but four potential (and still unnamed) restaurants waterside along a boardwalk looking west over a huge 12-acre lake. 

Initial plans have been submitted for both The Shops and The Boardwalk; however, no specific tenants have yet been announced. In addition to restaurants, the plans also show build-out spaces for a 40,000 sq. ft. fitness center, 25,000 sq. ft. grocery store, 25,000 sq. ft. retailer, along with a host of smaller spaces and even entertainment venues. 

– Columnar Apartments (plans submitted): Located immediately south of The Boardwalk shops area, this 300-unit apartment complex will continue the boardwalk along the shore of the lake, providing a scenic walking space for its residents and direct connectivity to the adjacent retail center. 

Abbey Crossings: What’s Already Built? 

– 52 Logistics Park (completed): This warehouse/industrial park is comprised of five buildings of different sizes that total roughly 500,000 sq. ft. The main entrance was aligned with Montserrat Way to the south to give this development direct access to the brand-new traffic signal. 

These warehouses also have been sitting empty for months; however, plans were just submitted to the county in Aug. for interior build-outs, signaling that tenants are coming soon. 

What’s Under Construction In AC? 

– Panera Bread (exterior walls are up): 

Panera, Panda Express & Chipotle are all under construction in Abbey Crossings. (Photo by Joel Provenzano)

This is being built on the SW corner of the signal with Montserrat Way. This familiar national chain will bring a free-standing store that will be smaller than what most customers are used to, at only 2,500 sq. ft., but it will have a drive-through. This is Panera’s shift to a more suburban-style prototype with smaller indoor dining areas. 

– Chipotle (exterior walls are up): Further to the west along S.R. 52 will be another national favorite that also is a free-standing location that also will feature a drive-through window, which the company calls “Chipotlanes.” 

These drive-through lanes work differently than most fast food restaurants because they’re digital-only. This means that you cannot roll up and order at a speaker board. Customers must place their order in advance using the Chipotle Mobile App or website. Because food is prepaid and pre-made, cars generally spend less than 30 seconds at the window. 

Chipotlanes have become highly successful for the brand, and they expect 80% of all newly built locations to feature a drive-through. 

– Dunkin’ Donuts (exterior walls are up): This free-standing store with a drive-through is going up at the NE corner of SR 52 and Montserrat Way, adjacent to the signal. The familiar favorite is being positioned so that residents can easily get their coffee on the way out to I-75. 

– Abbey Crossings Professional Park (exterior walls are up): These are being advertised by Waterford Construction & Development as ‘Custom Free-standing Offices’ that will be both for sale and for lease. The park will be comprised of 23 free-standing, single-story office and medical/dental professional buildings. Individual office spaces are planned around 3,000-5,500 sq. ft. max per building, with the ability to divide. 

What’s Coming Soon To AC? 

– Wawa (plans submitted): Plans have been approved for a new Wawa to be built at the southeast corner of S.R. 52 and McKendree Rd., adjacent to the newer traffic signal. The gas station will feature 16 fueling positions and be one of the largest stores in the area at over 5,600 sq. ft., which will serve I-75 travelers well. 

– McDonald’s (plans submitted): McDonald’s and Wawa will share a driveway onto S.R. 52. The McDonald’s also is anticipated to be a larger size than what most customers are used to at nearly 3,900 sq. ft. and will feature a long double-stack drive-through queue that can easily accommodate around 25 cars, something more commonly seen with a Chick-fil-A than with a McDonald’s. 

– Panda Express (plans submitted): This American Chinese food favorite will be located directly between the Panera Bread and Chipotle. The stand-alone 2,700 sq. ft. building will feature double order boards and two queue lanes for the drive-through window, something we’ve never seen before at a Panda Express. 

– Townplace Suites by Marriott & Restaurant (plans submitted): Suncoast Hotels LLC has submitted a site plan application package for the Abbey Hotel & Restaurant development, which is planned to be a Marriott by info found on the Suncoast Hotels website. 

The project will be at the southeast corner of the signal with Montserrat Way, and consists of the construction of a 63,284-sq.-ft. hotel and a 10,000-sq.-ft. restaurant (no name announced yet) on a 5.7 acre parcel. 

– Walmart (plans submitted): A new Walmart is planned in Abbey Crossings just south of the new signal, directly behind where the new Panera Bread and Chipotle are being built. 

For those who are having dĂ©jĂ  vu and remember our recent article about another new Walmart planned to be built in Wesley Chapel, this one will be considerably farther away — 15 miles from the one at S.R. 56 & Morris Bridge Rd., and 9 miles from the existing store at C.R. 54 & Wiregrass Ranch Blvd. 

In our article about that Wesley Chapel Walmart, we mentioned that the retailer likes to space its stores approx. 8-9 miles apart in populated areas, so this new store continues that trend to the north. 

– Lowe’s (plans submitted): Just south and immediately adjacent to Walmart, along Montserrat Way, is a proposed Lowe’s home improvement store. 

What’s odd here is that San Antonio is going to be getting a Lowe’s before Wesley Chapel does. Those who follow our development news may remember that both of the previously proposed Wesley Chapel Lowe’s locations — one at C.R. 54 & Curley Rd. and the other at S.R. 56 & Morris Bridge Rd. (where the new Walmart is going), were withdrawn. 

– Childcare at Abbey Crossings (plans just submitted): Being done by Momentum Childcare LLC, this 12,000-sq.-ft. facility is planned to be constructed on the east side of McKendree Rd., just south of Setter Palm Rd. The site will feature considerable outdoor fenced space consisting of two playgrounds, an outdoor theater, a garden and an outdoor classroom. 

– Springs at Abbey Crossing (plans submitted): Located fairly far south down McKendree on the east side, this proposed 20-acre apartment complex will consist of 330 units and will feature a few more amenities than normally seen in an apartment complex, including a pool, pet playground area, pickleball court, cornhole court, bocce ball area, fire pit and hammocks to just lay under the sun or stars. 

– Townes at Abbey Crossing (platting complete): Located immediately south of the Springs at Abbey Crossings apartments, on the east side of McKendree Rd., the Townes will consist of 150 townhomes, with Lennar Homes as the builder. 

What’s No Longer Coming To AC? 

– Del Taco (withdrawn): Del Taco was previously proposed and announced on the northwest corner of the Montserrat signal across from the Dunkin’ Donuts. Plans were submitted exactly a year ago but were withdrawn by the developer last December, unfortunately canceling the project. 

Del Taco doesn’t currently have a presence in Tampa Bay, with the closest location being in Spring Hill. Customers describe Del Taco as a fresher alternative to Taco Bell. A recent review of Pasco permits does not show any other proposed locations at this time, so we’ll have to wait and see if Del Taco decides to add a store somewhere else. 

Fresh Market-Anchored Development Moves Forward At Wiregrass Ranch

One Of The Largest Undeveloped Corners Along S.R. 56 Is Moving Towards Finalizing Its Design 

The site map above was submitted to Pasco County for Parcel M13 of the Wiregrass Ranch Master Planned Unit Development. The three parcels with development plans mentioned in this article are Parcel D (with the dark parking area at the center of the map), Parcel A (smaller rectangular lot to the north & west of Parcel D) & Parcel B (to the east of Parcel A). (Map source: Regency Centers of Tampa) 

A 59-acre cow-field located between Pasco-Hernando State College and S.R. 56, on the southwest corner of the signal with Mansfield Blvd., is set to become Wiregrass Ranch’s next major commercial development. 

Plans were officially submitted to Pasco County starting on June 19, confirming that development activity is preparing to begin on land that has remained largely untouched for years. 

For many longtime Wesley Chapel residents, the project is hardly a surprise. The property has long been designated for future development within the Wiregrass Ranch Master Planned Unit Development (MPUD). 

Still, there is a sense of nostalgia among some residents, as yet another stretch of open pasture land and cattle fields gradually gives way to additional growth. 

Fresh Market Appears To Remain The Anchor Tenant 

The development was first publicly discussed during a community presentation in April, when longtime Locust Branch, LLC (the development wing of the Wiregrass Ranch MPUD) chief operating officer Scott Sheridan shared several upcoming projects planned throughout Wiregrass Ranch — as reported in detail in our Apr. 14 issue. 

While the project was mentioned at that meeting, Sheridan declined to discuss additional details for this article beyond acknowledging that plans had recently been submitted to the county. 

That lack of comment initially raised questions about whether the project had changed at all since the April presentation. County permits do not specifically identify The Fresh Market by name, and the grocery chain has not yet made any public announcement regarding a Wesley Chapel location. 

However, several pieces of evidence strongly suggest that The Fresh Market remains the new development’s planned anchor tenant: 

The applicant and developer listed on the permit documents is Seth Lane, VP of Regency Centers, a Tampa company that has extensive experience developing shopping centers anchored by The Fresh Market. Additionally, the proposed grocery space — Parcel D in the center of the site map above — shown on the site plans measures 26,187 square feet, which is almost exactly the size of a typical Fresh Market store. 

Combined with the company’s recent expansion efforts across Florida, there is strong reason to believe that The Fresh Market is still moving forward as the centerpiece of the project. 

What Is The Fresh Market? 

For residents unfamiliar with the brand, The Fresh Market is an upscale, European-style “green” grocery chain known for its boutique shopping experience, premium meats, high-quality prepared foods, fresh produce (much of it organic), wine selections and specialty grocery items. 

Unlike traditional supermarkets, The Fresh Market operates smaller-format stores designed to create an old-world market atmosphere. Stores typically average around 25,000 square feet— roughly half the size of a standard Publix. 

Online reviewers frequently praise the chain’s USDA Prime steaks, seafood selection, freshly prepared hot foods and salads and made-daily sushi offerings. Many customers also use the store as an alternative to cooking at home, thanks to its extensive selection of ready-to-heat meals. 

The chain is already established in the Tampa Bay region with four stores — with the closest existing location to New Tampa or Wesley Chapel situated near the intersection of N. Dale Mabry Hwy. and W. Fletcher Ave. in the Carrollwood area. 

Grocery Store Size Comparison: 

The Fresh Market: 26,187 sq. ft. (Boutique/Small-Box Grocery) 

Under-Construction Wesley Chapel Whole Foods (Aronwood Blvd. at Bruce B. Downs Blvd. in Meadow Pointe): 35,518 sq. ft. (Mid-Sized Organic Grocery) 

Typical Publix: Approximately 50,000 sq. ft. (Traditional Full-Service Grocery) 

A Project Nearly The Size Of The Shops at Wiregrass 

The total scale of this development may surprise some residents. 

The overall property is roughly comparable in size to The Shops at Wiregrass and will ultimately be divided into 10 separate parcels and outparcels. So far, plans have only been submitted for three of those parcels (see map above for reference), meaning much of the project’s future remains unknown. 

Parcel D – 7.65 Acres: 

This will serve as the development’s primary retail center and is planned to include: 

‱ The Fresh Market grocery store (proposed as the parcel’s anchor tenant — 26,187 sq. ft.) 

‱ 28 separate retail & restaurant plaza suites 

‱ Spaces ranging from 1,220-4,230 sq. ft. 

‱ The plans for Parcel D currently show 54,985 total sq. ft. of retail space & 17,390 sq. ft. of restaurant space

Parcel B – 4.10 Acres 

The plans for this outparcel include: 

‱ One 5,750-sq. ft. sit-down restaurant 

‱ One 8,000-sq. ft. sit-down restaurant 

‱ One 3,075-sq. ft. fast-food restaurant with drive-through 

Parcel A – 2.88 Acres 

The plans for this outparcel include: 

‱ One 3,000-sq.-ft. restaurant or 

office building 

‱ One 8,000-sq.-ft. sit-down restaurant 

At this stage, no additional tenants have been publicly identified for any of these parcels. 

Only The Beginning 

While the currently submitted plans are significant, they represent only a fraction of this overall project. 

Site plans indicate that seven additional outparcels remain undeveloped, representing approximately 27.28 additional buildable acres. As those parcels move through the approval process in the coming years, residents can expect additional retail, restaurant, office, commercial, and residential uses to be announced. 

In other words, what has been submitted so far is likely only the first phase of what could become one of Wesley Chapel’s largest upcoming commercial — and restaurant — destinations. 

Traffic Questions Remain 

As with nearly every major project along the S.R. 56 corridor, the traffic implications of this new project already represent the biggest concern being discussed by local residents. 

Current transportation standards limit where median openings can be located along S.R. 56. Under existing conditions, a full median opening is shown at Yaupon Lane, while a future full-access signalized intersection is anticipated at Lajuana Blvd. — the same median opening currently serving Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant and Audi Wesley Chapel across S.R. 56. 

Plans also call for a future reverse-frontage road that would connect this development to that signalized intersection. 

One question that remains unanswered is whether transportation officials will eventually require modifications to Wiregrass Ranch’s existing full median opening configuration. 

If changes are required, some drivers traveling eastbound could find themselves needing to make U-turns at the existing signalized intersection until that reverse frontage road is extended west to the future signal (which is expected to be added to that Lajuana Blvd. intersection soon) in front of Cooper’s Hawk. 

Those details will likely become clearer as the project moves through the county and state review process. 

Another Piece Of The Wiregrass Puzzle 

For years, residents driving along S.R. 56 have looked across open fields and wondered what would eventually be built there. Now, many of those answers are emerging. 

While some will miss the remaining cattle pastures that once defined Wesley Chapel’s landscape, others will welcome the additional dining, shopping and grocery options in one of the community’s fastest-growing corridors. 

Either way, the latest plans confirm that another major chapter in the ongoing development of Wiregrass Ranch is officially under way.

No Takers Yet? The Most Expensive House In The Tampa Bay Area Is Just Next Door!

Property Owner Who Sold A $50-Million Miami Mansion To Superstar The Weeknd Is Making Waves Locally 

All photos/renderings of The Oaks Estate in Thonotosassa are from One Sotheby’s International Realty.

Nestled along a perfectly tree-lined road, amid gently rolling pastureland, stands something truly unique at 12321 Fort King Hwy. in Thonotosassa (just a few miles south and east of Cross Creek Blvd.) — the highest-priced home ever listed for sale in the entire Tampa Bay area. 

The garages alone are larger than many mansions in the Tampa Bay area, and the premium lakefront property is roughly the acreage of a small community. There really isn’t much this estate doesn’t have. 

The main house is an absolute masterpiece of French Normandy architecture. 

The 43,000-square-foot (total) chĂąteau features 9 bedrooms and 26 bathrooms, and it looks more like something that belongs in the European countryside than where it’s actually positioned — just outside of both Wesley Chapel and New Tampa, on the edge of sleepy Lake Thonotosassa. 

And for those wondering why anyone needs 26 bathrooms, only 12 are full baths. The remaining 14 are half baths spread throughout the estate’s many gathering spaces. The primary suite alone features separate his-and-hers bathrooms. 

The 87-acre property includes impeccably manicured grounds, multiple equestrian facilities, a go-kart race track, a car museum complete with an executive boardroom, a dual-lane bowling alley, movie theater, private spa with sauna, adjacent fitness center, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, and a private dock featuring a covered boat lift and party deck. 

There is simply nothing else like it anywhere in the greater Tampa Bay region, and brokers at One Sotheby’s International Realty are counting on that fact as they attempt to make this the highest-priced single-family residential sale in Tampa Bay history. 

The asking price: $115 million. 

If the property ultimately sells anywhere near that figure, it could represent a dramatic shift in how luxury real estate is valued throughout the region. Especially considering the estate last sold in April 2021 for $16.7 million, when it “only” included approximately 36 acres. 

Property records also show that roughly 51 additional acres, much of it greenbelt land, sold separately that same year for approximately $3.65 million. Combined, the transactions totaled roughly $20.35 million. 

So how does a property purchased for approximately $20 million in 2021 arrive at a $115-million asking price just five years later, with relatively few major additions or changes to the estate itself? 

How Did We Get Here? 

The property was originally owned by Donald and Erika Wallace, who acquired the sprawling and largely undeveloped land in 2007, around the same time Donald Wallace retired. 

Wallace was the founder and chairman of Lazydays RV Supercenter, which grew into the largest RV dealership operation in the world. 

Almost immediately after purchasing the property, the existing home was demolished and construction began on what would become known as The Oaks Estate. 

The main residence and its extensive amenities would take nearly five years to complete, with few expenses spared in the process. 

What makes the estate particularly unusual is its location. It’s not tucked behind the gates of an exclusive master-planned community or hidden within one of Florida’s traditional luxury enclaves. 

Instead, it sits in a part of eastern Hillsborough County where old orange grove homes still stand, where a historic Methodist church remains a local landmark, and where a small post office and library continue to serve the surrounding community. And yet, Lake Thonotosassa has quietly attracted a number of impressive homes over the years. 

The 947-acre lake is the largest in Hillsborough County and one of the region’s premier recreational lakes. Its size even makes fly-in, fly-out access possible for seaplane owners. For those who prefer helicopters, the estate’s expansive grounds provide plenty of room for a landing. 

An Exercise in Marketing? 

The property is currently owned by former oil executive and investor Steven Lempera, who made headlines last year after selling a Miami Beach mansion to music superstar The Weeknd for a reported $50 million. 

That sale came after Lempera acquired the property at auction in 2019 for $25.5 million. 

That history naturally raises an interesting question: Is the $115 million asking price for The Oaks Estate purely a reflection of its actual value, or is it also part of a carefully crafted marketing strategy? 

In the world of ultra-luxury real estate, asking prices often serve a purpose beyond establishing market value. A record-breaking price tag can transform a home into a conversation piece, generating headlines in real estate publications, business journals and local news outlets across the country. The listing itself becomes the story. And in many cases, that publicity is free. 

Whether the strategy originated with the owner, the brokerage, or a combination of both remains unclear. Representatives involved with the listing declined to discuss how the asking price was determined. But one thing is certain: very few homes generate this level of attention without first attaching a number large enough to make people stop scrolling. 

When we spoke with listing broker associate Eddy Martinez, he said the property had already secured two private showings on the same day shortly after officially hitting the market in late April. 

Even seeing the estate requires extensive vetting. Prospective buyers must demonstrate the financial capacity to complete a purchase before they are granted access. According to Martinez, those restrictions extend beyond buyers and even apply to members of the media and other real estate agents. 

That level of exclusivity may itself be part of the appeal. For ultra-high-net-worth buyers, scarcity often carries value of its own. There are luxury homes, and then there are trophy properties — properties so unique that traditional comparisons become almost impossible. 

At that level, the question is no longer whether one home is worth more than another, but whether there is anything remotely comparable available at all. 

Of course, publicity alone does not guarantee a sale. Even some of the country’s most heavily marketed luxury listings have struggled to find buyers. 

Celebrity Broker Ryan Serhant famously lost one of New York City’s highest-profile listings after the property failed to sell despite extensive media attention and marketing efforts. 

Still, timing may be working in The Oaks Estate’s favor. Recent luxury housing data has shown Tampa Bay’s high-end market among the strongest-performing luxury markets in the nation, with premium home values continuing to rise. 

Whether The Oaks Estate ultimately sells for anywhere near its $115 million asking price remains to be seen. But, regardless of the final number, the property has already accomplished one thing: Everyone is talking about it. 

And perhaps that was always the plan. 

The Bigger Picture 

The next highest-priced residential listing in the area is currently asking approximately $20 million. Coincidentally, it is located just down the road from The Oaks Estate. 

While that property offers fewer amenities and significantly less acreage, it does feature one amenity the $115 million estate cannot claim: a full-scale replica of the Oval Office. 

Even so, the gap between a $20 million listing and a $115 million listing illustrates just how ambitious The Oaks Estate’s pricing strategy truly is. Whether it ultimately sells for $115 million, $80 million, or something significantly less, the estate has already secured its place in local real estate history. 

New Construction Surrounds Ashton Oaks On Both Sides

Harmon Ashton Oaks’ ‘Build-To-Rent’ Townhomes & Two Ridges Rd. Will Each Flank Established Community 

The Google map above has been modified by Neighborhood News to show the locations of the portion of Two Ridges Rd. now under construction (upper Two Ridges Rd. label) & Harmon Ashton Oaks. 

 Development to the left, development to the right. It doesn’t take a genius to understand that Wesley Chapel is one hot area, quickly being shaped by one project after another, and the residents of the Ashton Oaks community off C.R. 54/Wesley Chapel Blvd. are seeing that first-hand — as their small neighborhood of 203 single-family homes and 70 villas is literally being surrounded on all sides by new construction. 

About 1.5 miles east of Meadow Pointe Blvd. along C.R. 54 (which was called S.R. 54 until recently, when Pasco County took over the responsibility for the road from the state), two major projects are currently moving full steam ahead, flanking the established Ashton Oaks neighborhood and bringing both long-awaited infrastructure improvements and new residential growth to the area. 

Two Ridges Rd. Extension Moving In The Right Direction 

The first project will likely be something of a major relief for many Ashton Oaks residents, who have dealt with increasing cut-through traffic ever since the first leg of Two Ridges Rd. (see map) opened in early 2025. 

That initial 1.3-mile segment connected S.R. 56 to Grecko Dr., which created a temporary route between C.R. 54 and S.R. 56 for drivers “in the know.” While some residents viewed the shortcut as an unexpected traffic burden, the corridor itself was always envisioned by county planners, long before the first homes in Ashton Oaks were ever built. 

Looking south at the intersection of River Glen Blvd. & the new portion of Two Ridges Rd. (Photos by Joel Provenzano) 

Now, the northern second leg of Two Ridges Rd. — approximately 0.7 miles in length — is rapidly taking shape (photo right). The extension will run north to the existing traffic signal at C.R. 54 and River Glen Blvd., across 54 from the main entrance to Avalon Park Wesley Chapel. 

Crews are currently performing grading, drainage and landscaping work across the corridor, steadily preparing the site for curbs, paving and final roadway construction. 

At the current pace, locals can likely expect the Two Ridges Rd. construction to be near or fully completed by the end of 2026. 

Once finished, the new extension will become the southern leg of the existing C.R. 54/ River Glen Blvd. intersection, opening access to future development opportunities on the southwest corner of the intersection, including a planned commercial parcel and the anticipated second phase of the nearby Valencia Ridge 55+ community (again, see map). 

According to county records, GL Homes — the developer of Valencia Ridge — is funding and constructing the extension of Two Ridges Rd. using developer dollars. 

Beyond local traffic improvements, the project also represents another major step toward the completion of a larger regional north-south corridor first detailed in our “…Road with (Too) Many Names?!” article nearly two years ago. 

That corridor, pieced together through multiple separately named roadway segments, is now quickly becoming reality: 

‱ 100% of the K-Bar Ranch Pkwy. segment in New Tampa is currently under construction 

‱ Approximately 90% of the Wyndfields South segment is under construction 

‱ Roughly 50% of Vida’s Way has already been completed (with the other 50% to start along with a future phase) 

However, one major section of this road with too many names will no longer move forward. As we reported last year, the entire Kirkland Ranch portion of the corridor was sold to the state for conservation purposes, removing that segment from future roadway plans. 

Most of the roadway sections are being constructed privately by developers as part of their associated communities. The only publicly funded portion currently planned is the southernmost 10% of Wyndfields South, the section along the west side of Union Park Charter Academy, which is slated for completion by Pasco County. 

Harmon Ashton Oaks Brings Build-To-Rent Trend To C.R. 54 

The second major project under way, to the east of Ashton Oaks, is Harmon Ashton Oaks (see map above & photos below), the build-to-rent townhome community rising on the southeast corner of C.R. 54 and Ashton Oaks Blvd. 

The signage for Harmon Ashton Oaks is visible from C.R. 54.

The 28-acre development will feature direct access from both roadways and represents another example of a rapidly growing housing trend across the Tampa Bay region: professionally managed rental home and townhome communities. 

The project is being developed by DRB Group Florida in partnership with Crescent Communities, which has previously developed several apartment communities throughout Florida, including the well-rated Novel Beach Park overlooking Tampa Bay in the Westshore area of Tampa. 

However, Harmon Ashton Oaks appears to be Crescent Communities’ first single-family-style rental community in Florida, despite the company already operating similar Harmon-branded communities in North and South Carolina, Texas and Arizona. 

Unlike traditional apartments, build-to-rent communities are designed to offer many of the conveniences of apartment living while providing features more commonly associated with single-family homes. 

That includes attached garages, private ground-floor patios opening onto lawns, larger floorplans, and increased privacy — all while still offering residents on-site leasing offices, professional property management and lease flexibility. 

The concept has become increasingly popular in Wesley Chapel in recent years, joining communities such as Vireo Wesley Chapel in Meadow Pointe III and Skymor Wesley Chapel off the end of Caroline Dr. 

According to the developer’s website: 

“Designed to blend the freedom of renting with the comfort and privacy of single-family living, Harmon Ashton Oaks will feature 115 thoughtfully designed 3- and 4-bedroom, 2-story townhomes averaging more than 1,800 sq. ft. Each residence will include modern finishes, spacious interiors, private yards and 2-car garages.” 

The developer’s rendering of the Harmon Ashton Oaks build-to-rent townhome community.

Plans for the community also include a resort-style pool, leasing office, amenity center and an adjacent 10,000-sq.-ft. open lawn and play area. Notably, every unit in the development is expected to include a two-car garage — an uncommon feature for rental communities. 

Harmon Ashton Oaks is currently expected to welcome its first residents in early 2027. 

Interestingly, while promotional materials for the project reference a future dog park, we were unable to locate that feature on the approved site plans or amenity drawings submitted for the development. 

Caught In The Middle 

Whether it’s new roads, new rooftops, or entirely new ways of living, the area surrounding Ashton Oaks is rapidly transforming, as Wesley Chapel’s growth engine continues pushing eastward along CR 54. 

While Ashton Oaks itself may not be the focus of the development boom, this established neighborhood now finds itself directly between two major projects that reflect the area’s continued evolution — one aimed at improving regional connectivity, the other introducing another modern housing concept to one of Pasco’s fastest-growing corridors. 

And with construction activity accelerating on both sides of the community, residents are getting a front-row seat to just how quickly Wesley Chapel continues to change.

Statewide Safety Effort Brings ‘Watch For Motorcycles’ Signs To Local Crash Site

Tyler J. Norman 

Tyler Norman (photo) was riding east on County Line Rd., the road still quiet in the early morning hours, and the hum of his motorcycle steady beneath him as he approached the signal for the intersection of County Line Rd. and Grand Hampton Dr. 

It was the kind of ride that feels routine — familiar roads, familiar turns — until, suddenly, it wasn’t. Tyler’s life was cut short at age 19. 

Five months later, two small matching roadside signs now stand along that same stretch of asphalt. Simple, temporary, easy to miss if you’re not looking. But, for those who know, it marks something permanent. 

May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month in Florida, and this year, those signs and their familiar message have taken on a deeper meaning across Wesley Chapel, New Tampa, and the surrounding areas. 

As part of a statewide effort, Florida’s Motorcycle Safety Coalition — also known as “RideSMART Florida” — and its partners announced the following at the end of April: 

“RideSMART Florida and our statewide partners will begin placing hundreds of “Watch for Motorcycles!” signs throughout the state at the sites of 2025 motorcyclist fatalities. This powerful visual tribute aims to honor fallen riders and raise driver awareness leading up to the start of Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month [which started] on May 1.” 

After the initiative began, those signs (paid for by the Florida Department of Transportation, or FDOT) appeared locally — including the one placed along County Line Rd., in front of Grand Hampton (photo, right) — each one tied to a real story, a real life lost. 

One of those lives lost was 19-year-old Tyler Norman. 

According to investigators, Tyler was riding a 2012 Kawasaki motorcycle eastbound around 2:30 a.m., on Dec. 6, 2025, when a Nissan Rogue traveling westbound attempted to turn left onto Grand Hampton Dr. Authorities say the driver, 50-year-old Mauricus “Rico” Labron Green, turned directly into Tyler’s path, violating his right of way. The motorcycle struck the front of the SUV. 

Tyler (who was wearing a helmet) was transported to a nearby hospital, where he died from his injuries. 

Green remained at the scene and was arrested, as police reported signs of impairment. Court records show he was charged with DUI manslaughter and refusal to submit to testing, along with a citation for an improper left turn. His case remains open and is scheduled to continue later this year. Records also indicate a prior DUI arrest in Lakeland in 2017. 

Behind the legal process, though, is the reality those roadside signs are meant to convey. 

Tyler’s family, like too many others, was devastated by the loss. And, across Florida, similar signs now stand for other riders — each representing family and friends navigating the same kind of grief, the same unanswered questions, the same sudden absence. 

The goal of the campaign is not only remembrance, but prevention. 

Above graphic source: RideSMART Florida 

Motorcycle crashes often come down to a narrow margin — visibility, timing and judgment. In many cases, including this one, right-of-way violations and impairment play a role. 

But, safety officials emphasize that responsibility for these crashes is shared. Drivers are urged to double-check intersections, especially before turning left, always use their turn signals, even if they think no one is nearby, and to remain alert for motorcycles — which can be harder to see and judge in distance. 

Riders, in turn, are encouraged to stay visible, ride predictably and anticipate potential hazards at every intersection. 

Those small signs along the roadside are easy to pass by without a second thought. But they are placed with intention — at the exact locations where moments like Tyler’s unfolded. 

They are reminders that every commute, every late-night drive and every routine ride carry weight. And, that looking out for one another on the road isn’t just a slogan — it’s what may one day separate a close call from a devastating loss. 

State officials stated that due to safety and maintenance reasons, the temporary signs would only be placed on local roads, not interstates or limited access roadways. 

To learn more about RideSMART’s statewide initiative, visit RideSmartFlorida.com/may/Â