Connected City Gets Approval

The Connected City is officially coming to Wesley Chapel.

“I think we realize we actually made history today,’’ said District 2 commissioner and Pasco Board of County Commissioner (BCC) chairman Mike Moore.

After months of delays and negotiations, Metro Development Group finally put forth a polished plan that the BCC could not only live with, but gush over.

The commissioners approved the massive project at its Feb. 7 meeting in New Port Richey by a unanimous 5-0 vote.

Both sides were pleased to see the plan to build the nation’s first gigabit community constructed from the ground up move forward. It was viewed by the commissioners as a seminal moment for Pasco County.

“I think it’s going to turn out to be one of the greatest things we’ve done here in Pasco County,’’ said District 1 commissioner Ron Oakley, who was elected in November.

“I’m very jealous this is in your district,’’ District 3 commissioner Kathryn Starkey told Oakley.

The Connected City is a 7,800-acre area running north from Overpass Rd. in Wesley Chapel to S.R. 52 in San Antonio, and west from I-75 to Curley Rd.

Alternative transportation is a big component of the Connected City coming to Wesley Chapel.

It has been touted by developers and planners as a first-of-its-kind, high-tech economic engine that will promote major job creation, alternative transportation along integrated roadways and not just one, but two first-in-the-country, man-made Crystal Lagoons.

One of those lagoons recently broke ground at the Epperson Ranch development off Curley Rd. (see story, pg. 6), while the other lagoon is expected to break ground later this year at the planned Mirada development in the northwest corner of the Connected City, just south of the S.R. 52 exit off I-75.

Metro owns roughly 35 percent of the land and is already building homes in Mirada and Epperson Ranch; they plan to begin selling those homes by the end of the year.

The project is part of a 10-year pilot program created by Senate Bill 1216 in May of 2015. It allows for an expedited planning and approval process for creating city-connected corridors. For the length of the pilot program, there will be no state oversight, although there will be two-year reviews.

More than 100 Wesley Chapel residents showed up to the first public meetings at Wesley Chapel Elementary in December of 2015 regarding the Connected City, voicing concerns about the impact on the Florida aquifer, the effect on sewers and sinkholes and how construction would impact the area, which they said was already prone to flooding.

At the final public hearing and vote, only one person spoke.

The longer-than-expected 18-month process to gain approval required a number of adjustments, from scrapping plans to form a committee that would bypass county oversight to contributing $7 million to build additional roads to rigorous debate over mobility fee credits.

“We worked very closely with the county throughout the entire process — they are our public partner on the Connected City, so we were sure to be flexible during the planning process to meet their requests,’’ said Kartik Goyani, vice president of operations with Metro Development and the man credited with being the visionary behind the Connected City.

“Every hoop, question and demand illustrates the hard work that goes into a project like this,” Goyani added. “The success of the Connected City is indicative of true collaboration and dedication to a common goal.”

With 72 acres of site-ready employment centers set aside, as well as commitments from Tampa General Hospital, Florida Hospital and Saint Leo University for proposed centers, and the potential for a number of tech start-ups, the project’s promise of job creation convinced District 4 commissioner Mike Wells Jr. of the merits of the Connected City.

Wells’ father, Mike Sr., was involved decades ago in the development of Trinity on the west side of the county.

“The Board wasn’t really sold on bringing that forward,” Wells Jr. said. “But as a Board, they moved forward on it and look at what Trinity is today. (During this process) I have pondered that. I know more about connected cities than I ever wanted to know. But, at the end of the day, I feel it is right for the county. It comes down to jobs creation to me.”

Wells Jr. added that despite his support, he would hold developers accountable for those promised job creations.

Ernie Monaco, the county’s assistant planning and development administrator, has been one of the leading – and more excitable – proponents of the Connected City.

He says that as a result of the project, planners have written new development code that could be extended to areas beyond the huge development itself.

He also listed a number of things that will put Pasco on the cutting edge – things like driverless vehicles, clean energy homes, incentives for builders and employers, improvements in local schools, innovative healthcare and a business community that keeps area residents from having to move away to find good employment opportunities.

“That’s the kind of future we want,” Monaco said.

The commissioners agreed, unanimously. Despite the delays and countless meetings, the Connected City promises to be a game changer, Moore said.

“All eyes are going to be upon us now,” he said. “So get ready.”

For more information about the Connected City, visit PascoCountyFL.net/=2319.

New Tampa Democrats Club Gets Started

Laura Blank

Laura Blank says that she thinks this is an exciting time for Democrats, and her desire to help get them get elected has led to starting the New Tampa Democrats Club, which meets on the fourth Monday of every month at different sites until it finds a permanent home.

The club held its first meeting Jan. 9 at the Brentwood Clubhouse in New Tampa and chose its seven board of directors (Blank was chosen as the group’s president).

On Feb. 16, the club members met to finalize by-laws and learn about precinct captains at the New Tampa Regional Library.

Blank describes her group as a grassroots movement. She said that despite the recent losses by Democrats in the General Election in November  — including Donald Trump’s presidential victory — she thinks the “Blue” party has been re-energized.

“A lot of us have become activists,’’ she says. “I never thought I’d become an activist at my age, but I guess that’s what I’ve become.”

Blank worked locally on both of Hillary Clinton’s presidential  campaigns. Because Clinton won all 15 precincts in New Tampa, The Hammocks resident felt that this area was fertile ground for a Democratic club.

“I realized we desperately needed a club in New Tampa, so we’ve worked really hard to get it started,’’ said Blank, who also said that between 20-30 people have attended each of the first three meetings.

The next meeting is scheduled for March 27 at the Brentwood Clubhouse at 8504 Sandpiper Ridge Rd.

For more information about the New Tampa Democrats Club, visit NewTampa Democrats.org, or email NewTampaDemocraticClub@gmail.com.

Veterans Elementary teacher named county’s best

Rob Patterson moves from desk to desk around his fifth-grade math classroom at Veterans Elementary.

One girl says she is confused, and he jokes, “that’s okay, it’s your birthday.” He remembered.

He refers to another student by his nickname, and bounces around to help others on a fractions problem in an easy, soft-spoken style, often admiring his students’ handiwork.

On Jan. 27, at its S.T.A.R. (Staff That Are Remarkable) awards event at the Wesley Chapel High Center for the Performing Arts, the Pasco Education Foundation named Patterson the 2017 Pasco County Teacher of the Year.

He seems almost embarrassed by the attention. Patterson, 46, insists he is no different than any other teacher, and added there are so many more just as deserving.

But, what might have earned him his designation more than anything else is his connection with his students, which is evident as he glides between the maze of desks in his classroom.

“What makes me successful is my relationship with the kids,’’ Patterson says. “I invest time to know them, I integrate them into problems, I interact with them.”

He remembers little things, like birthdays, and tries to know his students’ favorite football team, or what dance class they might be taking, or how many siblings they have.

Making that connection is why, 10 years ago, Patterson first decided to start working on becoming a teacher.

“It was the best career decision I could have made,’’ he says.

At the time, he was on the road making good money as a customer service representative. But, he was away from his children, Jacob, now 13, and Peyton, 17.

And, he admitted that he was missing something. It turned out to be the joy he got impacting young kids, which he did while teaching golf in his earlier days as an assistant pro at Northdale Country Club in Carrollwood and at the TPC (Tournament Players Club) Tampa Bay in Lutz.

It was while still working as a customer service rep that Patterson started taking education classes at the University of South Florida (USF) in his spare time. He sat in on classes with students young enough to be his kids. Little by little, he moved closer to what he really wanted to do.

“I chose elementary school at an early age for kids,’’ Patterson says. “I like this age. I think its important get to kids early, to make an impact early. That definitely helps them later on.”

After completing his B.S. in Elementary Education degree at USF and teaching one year in Hillsborough County, Patterson joined Veterans Elementary in 2009.

He says that although he has learned a lot from the women teachers he has worked with, he relishes his role as the rare male elementary school teacher, especially when it comes to the boys. That means high-fives here and there, sports talk and even fantasy football discussions over lunch.

“This is where I need to be,” Patterson said. “I need to be in education. I just have a love for kids. This is my happy place.”

Wesley Chapel’s Teachers of the Year by school

Wesley Chapel High School: Helen Mester

Wiregrass Ranch High School: Mathew Simmons

Thomas E. Weightman Middle School: J. Franklin Britton, III

Dr. John Long Middle School: Jessica Beagle

Double Branch Elementary School: Deborah Torres

New River Elementary School: Jolene Furman

Quail Hollow Elementary School: Lora Darby

Sand Pine Elementary School: Tamara Perugini

Seven Oaks Elementary School: Stephanie Huff

Veterans Elementary School: Robert Patterson

Watergrass Elementary School: Heather Kiefer

Wesley Chapel Elementary School: Christina Salerno

Wiregrass Elementary School: Stephanie Hodges

Florida Hospital Center Ice Opens

After three years, all the hype, all the build-up, all the delays and the excruciating final weeks of twists and tweaks to get the latest jewel of the Wesley Chapel community opened, there was still just one thing was missing.

Ice, ice, baby.

But finally, with a thick layer of the cold stuff beneath their feet, managing partner Gordie Zimmermann of developer ZMitch, LLC, led a parade of local dignitaries across the Florida Hospital Center Ice rink for the ceremonial puck drop on Jan. 25, swinging open the doors to a whole new audience.

“The fulfillment of a dream,’’ Zimmermann called it. “This has just been a fabulous experience. The community has embraced this project, and we’re really proud to have it here in Pasco County.”

Zimmermann and his ZMitch partner George Mitchell, Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce (WCCC) CEO Hope Allen, Florida Hospital CEO Denyse Bales-Chubb, District 2 Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore, former Tampa Bay Lightning captain and current Vice President of Corporate & Community Affairs Dave Andreychuk and Father Len Plazewski of Christ the King Church in south Tampa — who blessed the ice with holy water —each said a few words to the 200-plus people in attendance and then dropped pucks to signal the official opening of FHCI.

With his stick, Zimmermann slid his puck across the ice. Allen, who emceed the event, tried to the do the same, but her puck slid backwards as she tried to contain her laughter. It seemed a fitting moment, however, as the new facility will cater not only to the best and most experienced skaters and shooters, but also to those holding a hockey stick for the first time and wanting to learn.

“It’s such a great facility,’’ Allen said. “It has so much to offer the community. It’s definitely going to be something that sets Wesley Chapel apart.”

The $28-million, 150,500-sq.-ft. facility, located on Cypress Ridge Blvd. just northeast of the interchange of S.R. 56 and I-75, is billed as the largest skating complex south of New York and is expected to be a big-time game changer in the quickly growing Wesley Chapel area.

“This is a huge opportunity to continue to grow the game and make sure kids in this area have the opportunity so that they may learn the great game that we all love,’’ said Andreychuk, who was the captain of the Lightning when the team won its only Stanley Cup in 2005. “On behalf of Jeff Vinik and the Tampa Bay Lightning, this is a great day and were looking for more great things to happen.”

The economic impact of FHCI, according to a study the developers commissioned, will be $20-$30 million a year, and maybe more. Zimmermann has said he expects FHCI to draw roughly two million visitors annually.

Many of those visitors wasted little time hitting the new sheets of ice. On the evening on the Jan. 25, the complex’s first open skate was held and it drew 308 people. The following night, according to an FHCI spokesperson there were more than 200 skaters, and the youth hockey and Learn to Skate classes had 375 registrants for the first day of classes on Saturday, January 28.

On Sunday, Zimmermann says, the two two-hour open skate sessions attracted more than 600 skaters combined.

FHCI features three NHL-sized hockey rinks, one Olympic-size rink (which is wider than an NHL rink), as well as a smaller mini ice pad for training and a removable “sports court” floor that fts over obe of the NHL-sized rinks that can accommodate “dry” sports like basketball and volleyball, as well as large corporate events and conferences.

Even prior to the ceremonial puck drop, the facility had already hosted a few corporate events. Zimmermann says that while hockey is still the central component driving FHCI, the rink’s versatility makes it much more than that.

The facility also will feature the Top Shelf Sports Lounge on the second floor, overlooking the rinks, a fitness center, a sports performance center and one for sports skills which also can accommodate training and activities like yoga, Pilates and even dance classes. There is a pro shop run by Rinkside Sports, which sells hockey, figure skating equipment, Lightning T-shirts and jerseys and more. FHCI’s opening could be considered “soft,” as Zimmermann says it is currently running at roughly 75-80 percent of its capabilities. The fitness and ballet studios and the restaurant are still under construction, with Top Shelf set to open in late February or early March.

“This is going to be a community building that everyone here in Wesley Chapel and around Pasco County can (benefit from),’’ said Andreychuk. “It’s not just about developing kids to play hockey or to learn figure skating. It’s going to be an awesome place for all of us here.”

It will be a busy first year, Zimmermann says. The high school hockey State Championships will be held at FHCI on Feb. 24-27. And, on Saturday, March 28, the Taste of New Tampa & Wesley Chapel will be held at the venue (see pages 1 and 3).

In June, FCHI will host Skate For Hope, a cancer benefit that will feature some of the world’s top figure skaters, as well as a national roller hockey tournament.

FHCI, which will be home to USF’s hockey teams as well as local high schools and the Tampa Bay Juniors hockey program for competitve players ages 16-20, is also holding adult hockey leagues and will add curling leagues in the future.

And, don’t be surprised to see FHCI host the occasional NHL team in town for a game against the Lightning, or on the way to play the Florida Panthers. As for the Lightning, the organization is expected to have a presence year-round at FHCI with occasional camps and clinics.

“This is just the beginning,’’ Allen said.

For more info about FHCI (3173 Cypress Ridge Blvd.), visit Florida HospitalCenterIce.com, or search “FloridaHospitalCenterIce” on Facebook.

Despite Objections, Quail Hollow Golf Course To Be Replaced With Homes?

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

Residents who live near Quail Hollow Golf & Country Club (G&CC) may not be able to save their golf course, but their concerns about flooding and traffic may help determine exactly how many homes are built on the land that currently is home to their beloved links.

At a public hearing on Jan. 12 at the Dade City Courthouse, QHG&CC’s owner asked to have its request for rezoning the property for 400 homes delayed while it looks into developing a plan that wouldn’t require a zoning change, per the suggestion of the Pasco County Developmental Review Committee (DRC).

Andre Carollo’s Pasco Office Park LLC, the owner of the golf course (located at 6225 Old Pasco Rd., north of Wesley Chapel Blvd.), was represented at the DRC meeting by his attorney Barbara Wilhite.

Carollo has been seeking to rezone the property from R1, which allows for homes on 20,000-sq.-ft. lots, to a Master Planned Unit Development (MPUD), which allows for homes on 4,000–sq.-ft. lots.

In essence, Carollo is hoping to squeeze roughly 400 homes on the 175-acre site, as opposed to the 283 he would be limited to under the current zoning.

More than 100 residents were in attendance at the meeting, and two dozen spoke. While many lamented the loss of green space and privacy, one of the biggest concerns was the 6,811-yard golf course’s propensity for flooding.

The belief of residents is that the golf course can’t handle 400 homes, and that construction of those houses would exacerbate a long-standing problem.

“During rainy season, it’s a mess,’’ said Linda Garrett, who lives on Sandbagger Ln. “When it rains, it floods the course and fills a ditch on the side of my house. How is the flooding and runoff not going to affect us?”

Chief assistant county attorney David Goldstein asked if there was a flood study or any experts or staff members who could definitively answer if the land could handle 400 homes, but none were forthcoming.

Because DRC members have only seen plans for 400 homes, Goldstein asked to see a plan for 283 homes.

“It would be helpful to conceptually analyze what the property would look like as R1,’’ he said, for the sake of comparison.

Wilhite asked for time to produce such a plan and said she will present it at a future DRC meeting.  The project would need final approval from the Pasco Board of County Commissioners.

The delay seemed to please the crowd crammed into the courthouse, although Goldstein warned that the DRC didn’t have the power to save the golf course.

“I’d hate to think that anybody in this audience thinks this board has the power to require this land to stay a golf course…because we don’t,” Goldstein said. “This land is zoned R1. The DRC can recommend it stays R1. But, it is not within our purview (to say) that it stays a golf course.”

And it won’t.

“I understand that everybody still wants the golf course and would hope my client maintains it so they could have a park behind their house forever, but that’s not the reality,’’ Wilhite said.

Someone in the crowd yelled out, “Then why did you sell it to us like that?”

Wilhite responded, “The reality is, the property has always been zoned for residential use; it was never zoned to be a golf course.”

Two DRC members — assistant county administrators Cathy Pearson and Flip Mellinger — expressed condolences for those who bought homes years ago, at a premium price, that were on a golf course but now appear likely to be surrounded by new homes in the future.

Despite its residential zoning, Mellinger said there was no mistaking it was sold as a golf course community. He had just listened to residents from Sandbagger Ln., Golf Course Lp., Country Club Rd. and 9 Iron Ct. plead their cases.

“When I look at the street names, you can’t tell me it wasn’t sold to them as a golf course community,’’ Mellinger said. He added that the course was built in 1965, before the county had zoning laws, and in the 1990s took advantage of the new rules to change it to an R1. He said he would recommend that it stay as an R1.

Quail Hollow G&CC has had a up-and-down existence the past decade, even closing for two years in 2008-10. Carollo bought the property for $1.7 million in 2010 and the nicely refurbished course and clubhouse drew rave reviews when they re-opened.