Story Update: Should Pebble Creek Be Redeveloped? Here Are Both Sides!

There was an unintended mistake in the introduction I wrote in the previous version of this story that appeared in the June 27 edition (Vol. 31, Issue #13) of New Tampa Neighborhood News. I apologize for any confusion or inconvenience the error may have caused. Below is the corrected copy. Please also note that I have added below the date and time of the Hillsborough County Commission meeting where the commissioners are scheduled to vote on the proposed zoning change:

Some Pebble Creek residents have fought hard against the closing of the community’s open-to-the-public golf club and the potential redevelopment of the golf course property that would replace the currently vacant golf course land with additional homes. The judge in the tortious interference lawsuit between golf course owner Bill Place and his Ace Golf vs. Leslie Green of the Save Pebble Creek Group had not yet rendered a decision in that case. However, the redevelopment plan presented by GL Homes — which is planning to purchase the vacated golf course property from Ace Golf — has been approved by a Hillsborough County zoning hearing master and is expected to be put to a vote before the County Commission on Tuesday, July 18, at 9 a.m. Until then, below are the arguments for and against GL Homes’ redevelopment plans, presented by the two sides of the ongoing redevelopment dispute. — GN

Why GL Homes’ Redevelopment Plan Is Good For Us

Re: An Open Letter to All of Our Fellow Residents of Pebble Creek

My wife, Lynn, our two sons, and I are proud residents of Pebble Creek. We serve the community in various ways, such as participating on the HOA Board and multiple committees and working on our Neighborhood Watch program.

For over a year, many of us in the neighborhood have been collaborating with GL Homes on its plans to transform the Pebble Creek Golf Course into an upscale single-family home community. Our goal is to protect our community’s property values by replacing the eyesore in our backyard with an aesthetically pleasing, low-density residential development. Throughout the process, GL Homes listened to our numerous requests and constantly revised their plans. 

Like many of my neighbors, I believe we now have a plan that will positively impact the quality of life for everyone in Pebble Creek for years to come. I was pleased — and not surprised — that the plan received recent approval from P&Z (Planning & Zoning) and the County Staff. 

On Tuesday, July 18, at 9 a.m., GL Homes will go before the County Commission and ask for final approval of its plans. We invite you to join us in protecting Pebble Creek and sharing your voice that day. 

Why should you support this plan? Here are some facts:

‱ Pebble Creek Golf Course will not reopen. It was a neighborhood golf course that was not supported by the neighborhood. An expert shared with us a 2023 study that indicates a golf course like Pebble Creek needs a minimum of 150 neighborhood members to survive. At the time of its closing, there were only 13 members from the Pebble Creek community! I think it’s time to acknowledge that golf is no longer as popular here — and throughout the country — as it once was, and we should focus on other ways to improve our neighborhood. 

‱ Our property values will be positively impacted by being adjacent to a community with a beautiful entry, landscaping, and all detached single-family homes with sales expected to average in the mid $600,000s. It’s certainly better than a closed, dilapidated golf course that creates safety issues and fosters uncertainty in potential buyers’ minds. 

‱ All new development creates traffic. However, I appreciate GL Homes’ efforts to mitigate this impact by negotiating with the County to have one community entrance instead of two. That will significantly reduce congestion and mitigate traffic flow on our roads.

‱ The golf course is an excellent site to redevelop, and the GL Homes plan will create a healthier neighborhood environment, ecological system, and wildlife habitat. Of course, GL will have to work hand in hand with the FDEP (Florida Department of Environmental Protection) to ensure that redevelopment is done properly and in compliance with all regulations. 

I truly believe that years from now we will look back on July 18th as a landmark day for Pebble Creek. Stand up and protect your property values. Visit http://pebblecreekfacts.com for more information on the hearing and ways to send your support directly to the Commission. — Lance Ignatowicz

Why GL Homes’ Redevelopment Plan Is Wrong For Us

Pebble Creek as we know it is in danger of drastic changes. Save Pebble Creek is not just me, but many residents and volunteers who believe that adding more houses to Pebble Creek will adversely affect our quality of life. 

We are far from the minority, as evidenced by the letter writing and petition turned in to the county. By our analysis of the letters of concern we found just hours before the zoning board hearing, a whopping 74% of the people that wrote are opposed. 

Pebble Creek is an older, well-established neighborhood. Many of us fear the remediation of the soil, the construction period, the increased density and the impact all this will have.

Pebble Creek is already the most densely populated neighborhood in New Tampa. A simple view of maps on your phone reveals this obvious fact. The proposed community may be less dense than the surrounding area but placed in the middle of it increases the density of the entire area. The traffic congestion at our exits can only increase. We fear that this will overburden our existing fire and emergency medical services and our schools. 

To pave over the golf course and place homes on it will destroy the community’s main green space.

Why, if we cannot use the green space currently would we still want to keep it? We have an abundance of wildlife here on the course and it would greatly be impacted by the disruption from construction vehicles and noise, the loss of their land to homes with fences and or enclosures, and adding of paved roads. We have blue herons, egrets, spoonbills, sandhill cranes and turtles, to name a few of the creatures that may choose to leave. See pictures by Larry Feldman at SavePebbleCreek.com.

Replacing “old growth trees” that have canopied limbs and leaves with palm trees will eliminate nesting habitats for birds, squirrels, raccoons, etc.

Years of construction noise and dust will affect the surrounding communities as well. The soil samples are not adequate and a soil remediation plan has not been approved. Soil blending, where contaminated soil is mixed with clean soil, was not recommend. See Emma Symborski’s impassioned and informative speech at the zoning meeting on SavePebbleCreek.com or on YouTube.

It is important that this land is not rezoned to allow for further building. Then, hopefully, a more favorable use of the land could be agreed-upon and pursued. The golf course can be brought back. In fact, a golf course close by was reopened after years of being closed. Golf is far from a dying sport.

NGF (the National Golf Foundation) states that 25.6 million Americans over 6 years old played on a golf course and another 15.5 million participated in off-course activities like driving ranges and golf entertainment venues like Topgolf in 2022. The NGF also says that there has been a 40% increase in potential golfers over the past 5 years.

So, I call on all the surrounding communities Hunters Green, Heritage Isles, Cross Creek, Live Oak, Grand Hampton, Arbor Green, West Meadows, Richmond Place and Cory Lake Isles to help Pebble Creek. You will be affected, too. ABC Action News said that slow EMS response times may have to do with our congested roads. You can help by calling the commissioners and telling them that you oppose Agenda Item #23-013.2

 Our band of community volunteers is up against a big corporate builder with lots of funds, a law firm to represent them at the hearings and a PR firm for their marketing. We welcome the community to join us and help. Together we can Save Pebble Creek!

If you’d like to volunteer, contact: savepebblecreek@yahoo.com. To contribute to our GoFundMe campaign, visit https://GoFundme/626e151. Need a ride or can provide one to the hearing on July 18? Please contact Mike at: pcchamp15@outlook.com — Leslie Green

New Tampa’s ‘No-Name’ Storm Opens Hurricane Season With A Bang!

Photo of damage from the storm that hit New Tampa on June 4 provided by Shannon Briones.

When the 2023 hurricane season officially kicked off in Florida on June 1, the residents of New Tampa and Wesley Chapel had no idea how long it would be before — or even if — a major named storm would roll through our area.

But, on June 4, although the storm had no name and was essentially localized in our area and just to the east of our communities, residents in Hunter’s Green, Cross Creek and Heritage Isles all reported major damage from 60+ mph winds, heavy rain and even hail that blew through our area.

Source: Luis Viera on Facebook

After Tampa City Councilman and Hunter’s Green resident Luis Viera (Photo, left) posted a video of the damage the storm caused in his community, a number of New Tampa residents responded to our request on our Facebook page for photos of the storm damage. 

So, if you think just because we’ve gotten lucky in years past that our area will never be evacuated and will always escape major damage this hurricane season check out the incredible reader-provided pictures.

Uprooted trees, 60 mph winds, accumulations of hail, relatively brief, but heavy rains, named storms and possible tornadic activity isn’t unusual anywhere in Florida once hurricane season begins on June 1 each year, but on June 4 of this year, the New Tampa area got pounded by such a storm that was too brief and didn’t originate over water to be given an A-Z moniker.

Even so, the no-name storm that was pretty much localized to New Tampa, Wesley Chapel, Lutz, Land O’Lakes, San Antonio and Zephyrhills that day did lots of damage and definitely made folks in our area recognize that hurricane season had indeed begun.

Photo by Shannon Briones
Photo above provided by Luis Viera on Facebook

During the storm, which took place as District 7 Tampa City Councilman Luis Viera was returning to his home in Hunter’s Green, dozens of tree limbs were knocked down in not only Viera’s home community, but also in Cross Creek, Heritage Isles and Cory Lake Isles. Viera, seeing just a small portion of the devastation, took to his Facebook page to tell people to keep an eye out for downed power lines, trees that had actually hit homes and any other major damage that would result in the need for fire rescue officials to visit and lend their usual helping hand.

“I’ve never seen anything like that here,” Viera said afterward. “It was just so quick and powerful and I feel very fortunate that, as far as I know, no one was hurt or killed.”

Viera also said that he did see some people working together to try to lift a downed tree and firefighters from Tampa Fire Rescue Station Nos. 21, 23 and 24 were definitely called out or at least on alert throughout the storm. 

Once I saw Viera’s plea online, I made one of my own, asking our Facebook followers to share photos of the damage they saw and several of them responded with the impressive photos on these pages. 

Some asked that we not use their names in the story that I said I would write for this issue. Others didn’t mind either way, so only those photographers will be identified. I do, however, want to thank everyone who contributed.

Hopefully, more of us will take this year’s hurricane season a little more seriously. Get your preparedness kit together now and please evacuate in the unlikely event you are told to do so.

Photo by Said Iravani
Screenshot above from Demene Benjamin
Photo by Shannon Briones

Putting My Ad Space Where My Mouth Is For The Community Café!

More than 30 people attended the Café’s news conference on Apr. 18.

I have a cousin I love dearly who was diagnosed with cerebral anoxia, which means her brain didn’t receive enough oxygen when she was born.

My cousin is now in her late 20s or maybe early 30s and has been able to work and live a reasonably normal life, even though she is definitely developmentally disabled.

But, if she and her family ever decide to make the pilgrimage from Long Island to this area, I know where I want my sweet cousin to work — at the Community CafĂ© that is being opened by former Saddlebrook Resort general manager Pat Ciaccio and a small group of dedicated folks who are creating a safe, welcoming place where adults who are developmentally and emotionally disabled can not only work, but also have the opportunity for advancement.

In a recent issue, we gave you the first-ever look inside the construction site that will soon be transformed into the Community CafĂ©, which will have its “Shining Stars” serving coffee, ice cream and smoothies and selling retail items inside a 3,200-sq.-ft. former carpeting store on S.R. 54. The CafĂ© also will feature a private event space that will feature art created by disabled artists through Arts4All Florida when it opens on or around June 15.

Darlene E. Hill of The Leyda Group is a member of the team working to make the Community CafĂ© a reality. 

When I attended the community meeting and media preview event for the Café at the Hilton Garden Inn Tampa-Wesley Chapel on Apr. 18, I was so moved by what I heard that day that I told Pat I wanted to do more to help than just get the word out.

“You have no idea how much this is needed,” said one mom who was hugging her 20-something son, who was too old to participate in some other programs. “We’ve been turned down everywhere else we’ve turned.”

Another mom asked, “What are the requirements to work at the CafĂ©?,” to which Pat responded, “There are no requirements, other than filling out an application. We know we won’t be able to hire everyone who wants to work with us, but we will have at least 30-35 jobs available and all but our upper management will be developmentally disabled adults.”

You could feel not only the gratitude of the families who attended — most of whom said they first read about the CafĂ© and the news conference in the Neighborhood News — but also the dedication of those who have joined forces with Pat to make this 501(c)(3) nonprofit a reality.

I called Pat later that day and told him that I usually just charge nonprofit organizations a lower rate than other businesses to advertise in these pages. Instead, I offered to provide him with full-page ads at no charge in every issue for at least the rest of 2023 as my way of offsetting some of the costs he has been footing all by himself until the nonprofit is able to raise money of its own, whether through private donations or by applying for grants.

“We’ve never really been able to raise a lot of money for other worthy organizations in the past,” I told Pat on the phone. “But, I hope things will work out different this time. I just want to help.”

For more info about all the ways you can help, visit CommunityCafeFL.com

New Tampa Players Announce ‘Grease’ Cast & Crew And Auditions For ‘Shrek’ 

Congratulations to everyone who earned a role in “Grease,” the next show to be produced by the New Tampa Players (NTP) theatre troupe at the New Tampa Performing Arts Center (NTPAC). 

Tickets are available for the performances of “Grease” the weekends of July 21-23 and 28-30 and NTP also offers Season Tickets to “Grease,” “Shrek The Musical,” “Dreamgirls” and a fourth show to be announced. “Season ticket holders are proud supporters of community performing arts in New Tampa,” says NTP producing artistic director Nora Paine. “You help make the entire season a success! You also get to pick your seats before general ticket sales open, and you will receive a free soft drink or bottled water at every show.”

After 320 people attended NTP’s “Prelude & Recognition Performance” on Mar. 25 and 1,050 were on hand at three sold-out performances of the Penguin Project production of “Beauty & The Beast” in April, NTP is getting used to packing the house at the NTPAC, so get your tickets now! You might even see a certain newspaper editor performing in the cast of “Grease” (see list below & right).

Also, auditions for “Shrek The Musical” at the Uptown Stage at University Mall will be held July 24-25. For more info, see the ad (right) or visit NewTampaPlayers.org.  

“Grease” Cast & Crew List

Direction/Musical Direction: 

G. Frank Meekins

Choreography: Sarah Walston

Danny: Dylan Fidler

Sandy: Olivia Carr

Kenicke: Kyle Fisher

Rizzo: Alyson Gannon

Sonny: Michael Figueroa

Marty: Heather Rich

Doody: Jake Veit

Frenchy: Ariyonna 

                Thomas

Roger: Tripp Peavyhouse

Jan: Anna Jeffries

Eugene: Zachary Smith

Patty: Catherine Kelly

Vince Fontaine: Gary Nager

Miss Lynch: Suzanne 

                     Bainbridge

Cha-Cha/Ensemble: 

  Makayla Raines

Johnny Casino/Ensemble: Tristan Horta

Teen Angel: Trevor Lloyd

Ensemble:

Mia De Choudens

Cassidy Haberland

Dakota Henry

Michael Neary

Chelsea Orvis

Julian Rebelo

Wesley Santana

Amanda Schapiro

Zane Sarsour

New Tampa Again Trails City In Voter Turnout At The Runoff Election 

Although the results of the Apr. 25 City of Tampa Municipal runoff elections have been known for about a month as you’re receiving this, I know that no other local media has told you how the candidates fared in New Tampa’s 22 voting precincts in the three citywide (or “at large”)City Council runoff elections.

No, there was no runoff in the race for Tampa Mayor, as Jane Castor was elected to a second term by about 81%-19% over write-in candidate (and New Tampa resident Dr. Belinda Noah in the Mar. 7 Municipal Election.

New Tampa’s local District 7 Tampa City Council member Luis Viera also was officially reelected because he had no opponent on Mar. 7.

However, four City Council races had to be decided at the runoff election on Apr. 25, including in single-member Dist. 6, but New Tampa residents were not allowed to vote in that race.

On the other hand, New Tampa voters were asked to help decide the winners of the three citywide races — Alan Clendenin over Sonja Brookins in Dist. 1, Guido Maniscalco over Robin Lockett in Dist. 2 and Lynn Hurtak over Janet Cruz in Dist. 3 — but very few of you went to the polls.

In fact, while citywide voter turnout for the runoff election was an abysmal 10.76%, New Tampa’s turnout was even worse, as only about 7% of the nearly 35,000 registered voters in zip code 33647’s 22 precincts cast a ballot, whether in-person, by mail, early or provisional.

Even so, there were a couple of interesting results from the runoff, as Clendenin — who beat Brookins by  64.5%-35.5% citywide — did not fare quite as well in New Tampa, where he won by a 62.1%-37.9% margin in New Tampa, winning 12 of the 21 local precincts.

Meanwhile, Maniscalco — who topped  New Tampa resident Robin Lockett 61.9%-38.1% citywide — still beat Lockett by a 60%-40% split in her home districts, despite each candidate earning more votes in 11 of the 22 districts.

The surprise of the citywide runoffs was that the incumbent in citywide Dist. 3 Lynn Hurtak beat former State Senator Janet Cruz 60.3%-39.7%, who outraised Hurtak in campaign contributions by more than 2-to-1 ($215,000+-$106,000), so easily. The other surprise was that the trend was reversed in New Tampa, as Cruz won 16 of New Tampa’s 22 districts and by a total margin of 52.4%-47.6%.

I have nothing to attribute Cruz’s local win to, other than the fact she ran ads in this publication, while Hurtak did not (only half-kidding). Take note, future candidates!