Pasco Commissioners Unanimously Approve Stronger Tree Ordinance Rules

Zephyrhills, Pasco County Florida

The Pasco County Board of County Commissioners (BOC) is casting some “shade” on developers’ ability to remove trees from their respective properties, after approving changes to the county’s tree ordinance at the BOC’s Mar. 24 meeting. 

By a vote of 5-0, commissioners agreed to update the ordinance to shore up protections for Pasco’s “Heritage” trees — defined as live oaks 34 inches or larger in diameter or Southern magnolias 24 inches or larger — introducing new standards for tree canopy preservation and increasing both the fees for removal, as well as the credits for protection, of these trees. 

Under these new standards, developers would be required to preserve 20 percent of the existing tree canopy of their developments, or the uppermost layer of trees whose branches and leaves cover the ground when viewed from above. For upland trees, these are measured by the total number of inches of upland trees that measure 10 inches in diameter at breast height (known as DBH). 

DBH is a standard measurement to determine the diameter of a tree trunk, typically taken at an average adult’s chest height, which is roughly about 4.5 feet. Wetland trees are protected separately under state and local laws and require different levels of permits and regulatory consideration. 

The new ordinance also requires that tree removal be submitted as part of a developer’s overall development plan. 

When developers build out a new subdivision or apartment complex, they must pay a fee and either replace the trees or the fee goes into the Tree Mitigation Fund (TMF), which is funded by developers to allow the county to pay for a variety of tree canopy projects and is maintained separate from the county’s general revenue. 

Under this new ordinance, for each tree removed, developers will pay $75 per inch DBH (up from $50) for most trees, while the cost goes up to $150 per inch DBH for Heritage trees. When a developer preserves trees, it can receive a credit of $150 per inch for every non-Heritage tree 10 inches in diameter or larger they preserve, while they will receive a credit of $300 per inch for every Heritage tree preserved. 

A cap also was established for the maximum contribution to the tree mitigation fund equal to $10,000 per upland developable acre, along with a cap exemption for Heritage trees — and exemption that was advocated by District 2 Commissioner and Board vice chair Seth Weightman in order to incentivize their protection. 

During the meeting, Commissioner Weightman said that this was a “consequential vote.” And, in a statement since that meeting to Neighborhood News, he said that the proposed ordinance will keep forward momentum for the preservation of Pasco’s Heritage trees for future generations while improving the overall tree canopy throughout the county. 

“You can’t mitigate the destruction of Heritage trees,” Comm. Weightman said. “With this vote, we’re truly looking out for the health of our environment, our communities and future generations. I’m hopeful this will inspire developers to incorporate our Heritage trees into the design of our [Pasco’s] communities.” 

According to the county staff, there currently is roughly $12.7 million in Pasco’s TMF. Funds can be pulled by the county from the TMF to pay for approved projects that increase Pasco’s tree canopy on county-owned properties, along with redevelopment of designated areas of the county through the Economic Growth Landscaping Program, which helps both homeowners and those affordable housing projects serving residents earning 80% of area median income or below, as well as any School Board beautification projects on campuses across the county. 

Although the commission was supportive of the ordinance changes, some raised concerns that agricultural land owners looking to sell might be incentivized to clear cut their land before transferring the property to a developer, in order for the developer to avoid paying into the TMF once they acquire the property. 

“If you have a heavily wooded site and you want to sell it, the developer who wants to buy it is going to say ‘clear it first and then I’ll buy it,’” stated Dist. 3 Comm. Kathryn Starkey, “I am happy to protect ag all day long. I’m not happy to take ag and let them (developers) skirt around this tree protection ordinance.” 

Concerns About HB 399 

Comm. Weightman also raised numerous concerns about House Bill 399 (which was passed during the 2026 State Legislative session and recently signed into law by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis) during the BOC meeting and echoed those concerns to the Neighborhood News about its impact for county planning, but also said that the county’s new tree ordinance can serve as a buffer to development. 

“What the tree ordinance does,” says Comm. Weightman, “is that it’s a quality control mechanism for the environment, for neighbors and for projects So [developers] are gonna have to run a pro forma to see, based on $10,000 per upland developable acre plus the additional cost for Heritage trees, if them just coming in and blitzkrieging a site under the new House Bill 399 rules pencils out for them.” 

House Bill 399 (see text of the bill below) immediately went into effect. Supporters of the new law say it will help with the housing and affordability crisis impacting the state but opponents say it’s another attempt to erode home rule and could make it harder for local governments to deny projects they deem incompatible. 

The law requires local governments to tie development fees to the actual cost of project review, while also adopting more objective standards for compatibility within the existing neighborhoods and the surrounding area. It also requires cities and counties to provide reasoning for why a project is denied. 

“It erodes the ability for local planning commissioners to have a say,” Comm. Weightman adds. “It’s another golden ticket for development. The fact that local governments can’t choose incompatibility to deny a project is absurd.” 

Some Pasco County residents appearing at the Mar. 24 BOC meeting also raised some concerns about the impact that so-called state preemption laws might have on the tree ordinance and others wanted to see the canopy preservation percentage further increased. 

“Due to the fact that the state preemption exemptions weaken the 20% canopy preservation standards, we need to increase that to 30 percent,” said Julia Bartunek of New Port Richey during public comment. 

However, many residents were supportive of the changes and were thankful that the county was at least attempting to tackle this issue. “I just want to thank you all for even the idea of a tree ordinance, I really praise you all for that,” said Linda Blake, also of New Port Richey. 

Saddlebrook Resort Is Reborn As Mast Capital Begins Unveiling $92M Investment

Photos by Charmaine George

Whenever I hear a number like $92 million being thrown around, especially to completely redesign a clearly dated resort like Saddlebrook — which had been the jewel of Wesley Chapel since the early 1980s (and the only “attractor” bringing people to the S.R. 54 Exit 279 off I-75) for more than three decades — I know what I was picturing (and hoping for) in my head. Even so, I had no idea what to really expect from new owner Mast Capital. 

But, now that I have attended the “Media Preview Day” for the fully revamped Saddlebrook Resort on Nov. 20, it’s obvious that Mast is putting every penny of that $92 million into bringing resort founder Tom Dempsey’s Saddlebrook back to its old glory. Knowing Mr. Dempsey as I did, I’m a little sad he’s not still here to see it reborn. 

I’ve already been telling you about the restaurants that are both already open and coming soon — the delicious RARE 1981, which is located in the space previously occupied by The Tropics off Saddlebrook’s beautifully reimagined lobby (left photo), the also-open BREW coffee and breakfast counter, the opening soon (in early 2026) sports bar in the former Dempsey’s Too space adjacent to RARE 1981, and the hotly anticipated (at least by yours truly) revamped pool bar at the resort’s fabled Super Pool. 

When I rented a condo in the Saddlebrook community (not in the resort itself) when I first moved to Florida with my family in 1993, that pool bar served the best grilled hamburgers and hot dogs in town. It also had a nice, full-liquor tiki bar that was a great place to have a drink as my kids played in the Super Pool. Well, the pool bar is all-new and now open (photo, below right), and will have an upgraded food menu from the “good old days.” The “lagoon-style” Super Pool itself and especially, the patio around it (left photo below), also has been completely revamped, with dozens of umbrellas and a number of beautiful cabanas that will make hanging by the Super Pool a pleasure once again. 

But, for those who are wondering what’s happening with the building that previously was home to Dempsey’s Steak House, it is being completely repurposed as a clubhouse for Saddlebrook’s members that will be unveiled in 2026. 

As we’ve mentioned in multiple previous stories, the resort’s twin 18-hole, Arnold Palmer-designed Saddlebrook and Palmer golf courses have been replaced by three 9-hole courses and an on-site golf driving range and practice area, which will make getting ready to play a lot more convenient than the driving range’s old location near the resort’s S.R. 54 entrance. 

I haven’t played (and most likely won’t ever play) any of the golf holes, but District 5 Pasco County Commissioner Jack Mariano (who was on hand for the ribbon-cutting ceremony on Nov. 20, as was District 2 Commissioner Seth Weightman) has played all 18 of the holes that are already open and he praised the golf course’s redesign during the ribbon-cutting ceremony (see top photo). 

Commissioner Mariano also participated in a pickleball clinic (he’s shown returning the ball in the photo below), which allowed Media Day participants to check out the eight gorgeous new pickleball courts for themselves. 

The Media Preview began with the aforementioned ribbon-cutting ceremony and was led by Saddlebrook’s managing director Jeff Mayers, who thanked Mast Capital for its huge investment to bring the resort back to life, before introducing Commissioner Weightman, who said “The round of applause really has to go out to Mast Capital. The names Saddlebrook Resort and Pasco County go together — they’re synonymous. Saddlebrook put Pasco on the map before it became the popular place it is today. I couldn’t be more excited to be a small part of the journey to help bring Saddlebrook back to life.” 

He then introduced Commissioner Mariano, who said, “I am so thrilled with what Mast Capital has done. I was concerned about whether or not the golf course would be long enough, but they brought in Rees Jones, who specializes in renovations, and this is now a great golf course. You can now host any type of golfers at any level and have a great tournament. And what you’ve done with the lobby…spectacular, right? The pool? Incredible. Every chair is now a great place to sit, with all those umbrellas. It’s all top quality. You’ve done a phenomenal job here. Thank you, Jordan and Mast Capital for over-delivering on your promises.” 

Next up was Mast Capital’s chief investment officer Jordan Kornberg, who said his firm’s goal was to, “honor the incredible legacy that Saddlebrook has had, while breathing new life into this place. And, we are really proud of the product that we’ve delivered. At the end of the day, it’s not about us, it’s about our employees, our members and our guests. And, the feedback we’ve gotten so far from the community, in just a few weeks, has been so positive, which we really appreciate.” 

He also thanked all of the people who helped make it happen, “especially our on-property team. We couldn’t have made this a reality without all of you.” 

We then toured a couple of the guest rooms (above photo) and all I remember saying was, “Wow, what a difference.” The dated, worn furniture and musty smells are all gone and the furnishings are modern, bright and cheery. Jannah and I now look forward to staying once again at the all-new Saddlebrook Resort. 

For reservations and more information about Saddlebrook Resort, visit Saddlebrook.com or call (813) 973-1111. 

Schools On Wells Rd. To Get Sidewalks, Thanks To State Grant & A Weightman Student!

(l.-r.) Dr. Toni Zetzsche of Pasco County Schools, School Board member Megan Harding, State Rep. Randy Maggard, Pasco Comm. Seth Weightman, Josh, State Sen. Danny Burgess, School Board member Colleen Beaudoin and Pasco administrator Mike Carballa at the check presentation ceremony for the new sidewalks on Sept. 12. (Photo provided by Pasco County)

Meadow Pointe resident and Weightman Middle School eighth grader Josh Patrick was only twelve years old when he set up his first meeting with District 2 Pasco County Commissioner Seth Weightman last August to talk about the lack of sidewalks on Curley Rd. and Wells Rd. heading to the Wesley Chapel School Complex. 

“My mom always drives me to school,” Josh says, “but I saw a lot of kids walking and riding bikes that had to dodge cars all the time because there are no sidewalks. I just felt like something needed to be done.” 

Meadow Pointe resident and Weightman Middle School 8th grader Josh Patrick was only 12 years old when he made a presentation to the Pasco MPO about the lack of sidewalks near his school. (Photo provided by Josh Patrick.) 

Not only did Commissioner Weightman agree, he told Josh to appear at a Pasco Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) meeting to present the issue, which he did (left photo) on Jan. 9 of this year. Thanks to Josh, the county requested funding to construct the sidewalks from the state legislature, which approved $1.5 million in this year’s state budget in June. 

“Sidewalk appropriation requests are my legislative ask for every session,” Comm. Weightman says. “But Josh definitely made this happen.” 

Josh says there’s a reason why he succeeded where others have failed. “Most of the time, when someone advocates for something, it’s usually always ‘concerned parents’ who attend those meetings,” he says. “I just think it’s a lot more impactful to have the students themselves there.” 

Josh was next invited to attend the check presentation ceremony (top photo) on Sept. 12 with District 54 State Representative Randy Maggard, District 23 State Senator Danny Burgess, Pasco County administrator Mike Carballa, Pasco School Board members Megan Harding (District 5) and Colleen Beaudoin (District 2), and Dr. Toni Zetzsche, the chief communications & community engagement officer for the Pasco School District. 

Weightman says that the survey work for the Wesley Chapel sidewalk project will begin next month and will take six months to complete. 

At the same time, the county will negotiate the design fee with a consultant and get the task order executed. Then, design and permitting will take about nine months, the procurement of all of the needed property for the project will take another six months, with another two months to award the contract and ten months to complete the construction. In other words, by the time the project is completed — around July of 2028 — Josh will be a junior in high school. 

“But, at least it’s going to be done,” Josh says. “It shows that just because you’re a kid, it doesn’t mean you can’t get things accomplished.” 

Of course, Josh’s parents, Mark and Marsha Patrick, are extremely proud of their son. We’re super-proud of him, too. 

Great job, young man! 

Remembering 9/11: St. Leo University Hosts “In Their Honor” Event

All photos courtesy of St. Leo University

Retired New York Fire Department emergency medical technician Stephen Spelman can’t forget 9/11 or the colleagues he lost that day, and he has continued to do everything he can to not let local residents forget it, either, since moving to Wesley Chapel in 2010. Spelman received a piece of the Ladder 18 fire truck destroyed that day from a former fire captain friend of his who also was part of Motts Military Museum in Groveport, OH, where Spelman was scheduled to speak at a 9/11 event in 2017, when Hurricane Irma hit Florida, so he couldn’t make the trip. Spelman arrived at the World Trade Center in his vehicle as the North Tower was getting ready to fall on September 11, 2001. The truck itself was destroyed by falling debris, but the lives of the firefighters from Ladder 18 were saved by jumping under the ladder. “Ironically, I was about 30 yards from that (fire) truck when the North Tower collapsed,” Spelman said. A few weeks after he had to cancel his speaking engagement in Ohio in 2017,  Spelman received the piece of the ladder truck in his mailbox. 

Spelman was one of the featured speakers at St. Leo’s event on Sept. 8, which also featured Lt. Col. Perry Blackburn from the movie “12 Strong,” as well as Craig Gross, a Gold Star Family member whose son, Cpl. Frank Gross, was killed in Afghanistan, retired NYFD/EMS lieutenant Dominick Maggiori, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson, District 2 Pasco County Commissioner Seth Weightman, new St. Leo president Jim Burkee, Bob Hatfield from Congressman Gus Bilirakis’ office and Spelman’s son Matthew. 

Simpson said, “Memory fades if it is not told. Thus, the history of September 11 and its heroes must be shared and told.” 

Maggiori shared his 9/11 story and of working “on the pile” – the rubble of the World Trade Center towers. “We heard a jet, and the work stopped,” he said. “Then we saw it was a [U.S.] fighter jet and there was a sigh of relief. Somebody has got our back.”

And it was more than just the U.S. military. “People came from all over,” Maggiori said, bringing water, food, and volunteering in any way they could to assist those involved in rescue and recovery. “Everyone pulled together.”

As a Green Beret, Blackburn was one of the first Americans on the ground in Afghanistan after 9/11. “I was the leader of the greatest fighting force on the ground,” he told the audience at Saint Leo. 

They rode on horseback with Afghans, “hunting those responsible, and I was proud be help to defeat the Taliban and Al-Qaida,” he said. “The American soldier is not an individual. 9/11 brought out the best in all Americans. We stood together. We prayed together. That’s the part I carry with me every day. Show up for one another.”

For Spelman, the event at Saint Leo as well as the memorial featuring the piece of the ladder truck, is about carrying on the legacy – the legacy of those lost, of those who battle cancer and other illnesses from their time working in the dust and debris, and those who suffer mental anguish, alcoholism, and drug addiction following that horrific day.  “I wasn’t prepared for what I saw,” Spelman said. “It was the horror of war. I’m not military, but it seemed like a battlefield.”

He was teaching at the NY fire academy when the first terrorist struck, grabbed what gear he could find, headed to his duty station, and then toward the towers, going the wrong way on the street. 

“We could see people jumping from the building, and we weren’t even close [yet],” he said. “We could see the towers engulfed in flames about midway up.” 

A NYFD lieutenant sent him and his team to look inside police and other vehicles parked nearby to see if anyone was alive. The lieutenant ran the opposite direction toward the towers. “I’m alive,” Spelman said. “He saved my life.” 

He told the Neighborhood News after the event, “There were like 180 people there. It was an amazing event.”

Never Forget

The In Their Honor 5K kicked off the events at 7:30 a.m. today (September 8) and the route through Saint Leo’s campus featured more than 300 photos of firefighters who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. Funds raised through the event will support the sponsoring organizations and charities, including the creation of the Children of Heroes Scholarship at Saint Leo University. Representing the shared mission between the Pasco Patriots Association and Saint Leo University, this fund will provide tuition assistance for first responders and the children of fallen and catastrophically injured first responders. Tom DeLuca, executive director of the Pasco Patriots Association and a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, served as the emcee for the memorial program. 

Coming across the 5K finish line first was Kevin Perez, a University of South Florida student and a member of the Suncoast Battalion of Army ROTC. Right behind him was Austin Curtis, also a USF student and ROTC member. 

All eyes were on the sky following the 5K as parachutists Rian Kanouff, Keith Hanley, and Patrick Fortune of Fortune’s Flags in the Air and Skydive First Project, glided to the ground with Fortune carrying a billowing U.S. flag.

Bagpipers Gemma Riggs and Thomas Fritz played as everyone entered Saint Leo’s Wellness Center for the memorial program, which featured a prayer by Mike D’Ambrosio, mayor of the town of St. Leo, and the national anthem performed by Marlee Michael. 

Sponsors
The sponsors for the event were the town of St. Leo, Chick-fil-A Zephyrhills, Totally Blu Pools, and Campus Gear and Trade Mark Sales. 

Beneficiaries
Funds raised support the following nonprofit organizations: Saint Leo University – Scholarship, Pasco Patriots Association, 18 Series Coffee Co., AFG Free, Cryoeeze22, Krewe De Forti, PCRetiredK-9 (Pasco County Retired K9), Tunnel to Towers Foundation, and Warrior Wellness.

WC Republican Club’s Charter Not Renewed By Republican Party Of Pasco — What’s Next? 

(l-r) Pasco REC chair & vice chair Troy Stevenson & Walter Price and Pasco Republican Committeeman Shawn Foster. 


Jim Cracchiolo has been the president of the Wesley Chapel Republlican Club (WCRC) since its founding a decade ago. During the last few years, Cracchiolo’s son Peter has been lining up guest speakers for the club’s meetings that have included many of the heaviest Republican hitters in the county and state. Peter currently is serving as the club’s vice president. 

There’s only one problem — as of May 13, the WCRC no longer has a charter/stamp of approval from the Republican Party of Pasco’s Executive Committee (Pasco REC). 

Individual Pasco Republican clubs, like the WCRC, which provide support for their party — which has dominated Pasco’s political elections for decades — have to renew their charters with the Pasco REC every year. 

So, why was the WCRC’s charter not renewed? Cracchiolo, Pasco County’’s publicly elected Republican State Committeeman Shawn Foster and Pasco REC chair Troy Stevenson all agree that the reason the club’s charter was not renewed this year was because Peter Cracchiolo volunteered and/or worked for former Hillsborough State Attorney and 2024 Democratic candidate to win his job back Andrew Warren (who was removed from office by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis) and District 1 School Board member Nadia Combs, a known Democrat whom DeSantis sought to replace with known conservative Republican Layla Collins (the wife of Republican State Sen. Jay Collins), even though School Board elections are non-partisan.

“The Wesley Chapel Republican Club had a gentleman that was working for independents and Democrats and getting paid and volunteering [for them],” Foster said during the June 19 Pasco REC meeting attended by about 100 people at Grace Family Church on S.R. 54 in Lutz, where Dist. 2 Commissioner Seth Weightman was the featured speaker. “Several people have had to be removed and asked to leave [the Pasco REC] because they endorsed or supported independents and Democrats against Republicans in the general election.”  

He added, “We can’t do that as members [of the REC]. We agree here by signing an oath. We have tried to work with the [WCRC] for nearly a year about this and we tried to suggest to just take that person and put them in another position, [because] they could not be in an administrative position of the club if they were going to work for Democrats or independents. We’re here for the Republican Party of Pasco. We’re here to get Republicans elected.” 

But, Cracchiolo says that working to get Republicans elected is exactly what the WCRC has done since its inception. And, even though Peter has helped some non-Republican campaigns, “He has done an amazing job of getting our speakers for us,” Cracchiolo says. He is a registered Republican and a strong supporter of the Republican party and our entire club believes he should not have to be removed from our Board.” 

Even so, Cracchiolo received a Cease & Desist letter from Benjamin J. Gibson of the Law Firm of Shutts & Bowen, LLC, the attorney for the Republican Party of Florida (RPOF) on May 13 that says, 

“On behalf of the RPOF, we write to demand that you immediately cease and desist your unauthorized usage of the Republican name in association with your organization ‘Wesley Chapel Republican Club,’ including your operation of the Facebook page available at Facebook.com.

Because your club’s charter was not renewed by RPOF, your use of the Republican name in the title of your organization and on Facebook is now without approval, permission or authorization of the RPOF. 

Florida law is clear that a political party’s name, abbreviation, or symbol may not be used in connection with any club, group, association, or organization of any kind ‘unless approval and permission have been given in writing by the state executive committee of such party.’ 

Jim & Peter Cracchiolo of the WCRC, with former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner (photo from Facebook.com/Wesley Chapel Republican Club, Inc.) 

§ 103.081(2). Section 103.081(2) states: 

(2) No person or group of persons shall use the name, abbreviation, or symbol of any political party, the name, abbreviation, or symbol of which is filed with the Department of State, in connection with any club, group, association, or organization of any kind unless approval and permission have been given in writing by the state executive committee of such party.” 

Cracchiolo says that his club is not backing down. On May 21, Cracchiolo responded to Gibson’s Cease & Desist letter as follows: 

“We decline to comply with RPOF’s demand, for the reasons outlined below: 

1. Descriptive Use of ‘Republican’ and Legal Authority. The word ‘Republican’ is merely descriptive and not available for registration or common law right of exclusive use. The Club’s use of the word “Republican” is made solely in a descriptive and expressive capacity, to identify the general political viewpoint of its members and the nature of our discussions and events. The Club does not claim to be affiliated with, endorsed by, or authorized by the RPOF or the Republican National Committee. This usage is protected under well-established First Amendment principles and the doctrine of nominative fair use. The use of such political identifiers by grassroots, unaffiliated community groups is a long-standing and widely accepted practice. 

With respect to your citation, and misplaced analysis, of Florida law, the operative text in FL. Statute §103.082 (2) is ‘No person or group of persons shall use the name, abbreviation, or symbol of any political party, the name, abbreviation, or symbol of which is filed with the Department of State.’ As to the name, the restriction relates to the ‘Party’ name designation filed with the state. For example, the state party is the “Republican Party of Florida” (RPOF as we routinely refer to it) and is filed with the state. The term ‘Republican’ standing alone is not a party, and our club has made clear that it is not affiliated with the GOP, RNC, Florida or county Republican Party (each of which having their own distinctive name and symbol); but instead, is an independent organization and club for individual members of the public who personally identify as a Republican.” 

Editor’s note – I only became aware of this situation because Jannah and I attended the June 12 WCRC meeting hoping to hear District 4 Pasco Commissioner Lisa Yeager speak, but when Yeager cancelled that appearance the same day, Cracchiolo brought an update on the battle to the more than 50 attendees. I told Cracchiolo that I would try to talk to both Foster and Stevenson at the Pasco REC meeting the following week to try to help iron out a solution, but both sides are standing firm. 

So, the WCRC is still planning to continue to use the name “Republican” without a charter and the Pasco REC is deciding what to do next. 

But, as Foster said at the Pasco REC meeting “This was not not the way I wanted it to be resolved, but I have a clear conscience.”