[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6234611,"mediaKeyId","3411037-4f9046e5e3a3d3656059657ec7a1f13e","parentId",3411037,"title","Pasco County Increases Fire‑Rescue Impact Fees; Board Rejects Commercial Cap","audioSeconds",633,"startMs",2830000,"endMs",3463000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3411037-4f9046e5e3a3d3656059657ec7a1f13e&start=2830&end=3463","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3411037-4f9046e5e3a3d3656059657ec7a1f13e/thumbnail_2830000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6234611/Pasco-County/Florida/Pasco-County-Increases-FireRescue-Impact-Fees-Board-Rejects-Commercial-Cap","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6234611-9b7b178fa69f9527f92f3a4a6b84d65f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771082696&Signature=FVO0aly-8Xv2Z5Wd06bhGsqcVXr86p9bj2AmHu5GxN7kbUIFOplmest4IhewxxJY0cqM-bgZYcjRPXhfbPy2eJNJArosCluO5Q3oanAqP3i3eeOf9doxMloHUIrYxK626SCjOvRBtK2jxbjXXXxugtitW-UPQi4a2c9tEKydHZIS5gDKDO-7GpFF0T9WIQfwbJC3LHZnRQvIcJrUbKMk1F7B84wdu3I~h6GLK1DWAco8HYXEqVUfyXp8F5wbRqS1ivWVF1ZGqFg8srgl2epK7SmipJUvgRxbSKC60c5ZCeDVj-Wimeta1-Z0k5pkyulKlgYb-n871rjXdNs0WEBHkQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Pasco County, FL ","date","2025-05-20T17:21:45Z","article","The Pasco County Board of County Commissioners voted to adopt an updated fire combat and rescue impact fee ordinance based on a 2024 impact‑fee study. The change raises the county's fire combat and rescue impact fees to align fee collections with projected capital needs for fire and rescue service capacity.

Justin Frum, Pasco County fire marshal, and Chief Quinn presented the proposal and the third‑party study prepared by Stantec Consulting. Frum told commissioners the county's impact‑fee revenue had been “well underfunded” relative to population growth and response‑time demands, and the study recommended increases intended to reduce the period to fund new service delivery areas from roughly 35 months to about 15 months.

Commissioners discussed whether to retain a square‑foot commercial cap (a limit that reduces fees for very large buildings such as warehouses or big‑box retail). Chairman Starkey and others asked staff and consultants whether a cap would shift costs onto smaller projects and whether calls for service from larger users differ materially from other commercial uses. The county and consultant said a commercial cap would lower per‑square‑foot fees for very large buildings but would reallocate the revenue burden to other development; the board retained the consultant’s recommendation to forego a commercial cap but left flexibility for case‑by‑case variance or incentives in economic development negotiations.

Why it matters: impact fees pay for capital facilities (in this case, fire and rescue stations and equipment) that serve new development. Adopting the consultant’s fee structure is intended to accelerate funding for additional fire‑rescue capacity as the county grows. Commissioners also emphasized the need to control capital costs for new fire stations and noted staff work to trim about $1.9 million from recent station budgets.

Vote and instructions: The board approved the ordinance by roll call vote; the official tally recorded unanimous support (aye votes from all present commissioners). The board directed staff to transmit the adopted ordinance to the Florida Department of State within 10 days and to continue coordinating an impact‑fee review alongside the county’s mobility fee update.

Details: The ordinance amends Pasco County Land Development Code section 1302.6 and related sections to adopt the 2024 Fire Combat and Rescue Service Impact Fee Study and to set new fee amounts for fire combat and rescue service. The ordinance includes an administrative variance path to address unusual, large, or incentivized commercial projects on a case‑by‑case basis.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","5.20.25 Pasco Board of County Commissioners Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Pasco County commissioners voted to adopt a new fire combat and rescue impact fee ordinance based on a 2024 study, approving higher fees and rejecting a blanket commercial square‑foot cap while preserving case‑by‑case flexibility.","taxTitle","Pasco County, Florida","taxId",12581,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6234616,"Neighbors Press Pasco County Commissioners on Little Road PD Amendment, Board Continues Hearing to June 17",1238,1275000,2513000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3411037-4f9046e5e3a3d3656059657ec7a1f13e&start=1275&end=2513","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3411037-4f9046e5e3a3d3656059657ec7a1f13e/thumbnail_1275000.jpg","/articles/6234616/Pasco-County/Florida/Neighbors-Press-Pasco-County-Commissioners-on-Little-Road-PD-Amendment-Board-Continues-Hearing-to-June-17","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6234616-39107482d5648e91b3388895602800fa/orig.mp4?Expires=1771082696&Signature=lYtX6ZBFm6eSEj2lOMAZU1Vk~0NlDQ8Fm~m2bWXrpW3OCjUHBRNZt8phbUJJp68fHfP9WtM-5KivpCUKAoAWqGMbaAcTi3fVCc8QTAQbBVYO~xp4ca25jToCeglif8x4hjJR5SG8hn4LetxVUimsqRcUJLANyWj27BHsw4tg9n8H9DmEbtll8Gp8h6-VkB4Pluf4dPYaWpWlEf31kJ5fT2hdNWeareb1LhfGFjrLMGiq3TbxmymRv9v0QC0kclJutNVeCsX2~4zGeKaCXtPI~3ihr2Ky-5eA1bX5eLhQYBARBdj9HVw8pf3X0M5kryBnVWqMfruA4DuCNK9n~YktnA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pasco County commissioners accepted public comment and agreed to continue a proposed comprehensive-plan amendment and a companion rezoning application for about 7.83 acres north of the Little Road–Jasmine Boulevard intersection to the June 17, 2025 Board of County Commissioners meeting in New Port Richey.

Residents from the Golden Acres and Osceola Heights neighborhoods told the board the proposal, which would change the future land use and allow a planned development with townhomes and commercial space, would increase flooding, traffic and reduce property values. “I paid $675,000 for my house,” said resident Robert Jarrell. “My property floods so bad … my fence the bottom of my fence for 2 and a half feet is rotted out.”

The board’s action followed a request from the applicant for a continuance. Developer representatives and consultants said the continuance will allow additional coordination with county utilities and stormwater staff; engineer Michael Hoffman of Advanced Engineering Consultants told the board that “by law, our predevelopment water, our post‑development water has to be less than our predevelopment water because of the stormwater retention, underground chambers.” Legal counsel for the developer, Chad Davis, said the applicant is willing to provide an eight‑foot masonry fence and indicated willingness to donate a narrow parcel to adjacent owners to address access concerns.

Why it matters: neighbors said the site drains into nearby basins and wetlands and that the local roadway system already shows frequent congestion; they urged the board to consider long‑term drainage and traffic impacts before approving changes to the future land use map. Several speakers said the property is used for off‑road vehicles and contains wildlife, including a tortoise they described as endangered. Residents reported a petition “with over 30 signatures” opposing the project; multiple neighbors described repeated flooding on rear yards and said past storms exacerbated those conditions.

What happened at the meeting: the board read the ordinance titles and background for the comprehensive‑plan amendment (Item P‑43) and the companion rezoning/substantial modification (Item P‑55). The applicant requested the items be continued to June 17 in New Port Richey. Although continuances commonly remove the public‑comment opportunity, the chair allowed citizens who were present to speak once at this hearing, with the understanding they could not speak again at the subsequent hearing unless the board set a different rule. The board voted to continue the matter to June 17, 2025; the record shows the motion carried on roll call.

Discussion and next steps: staff and the applicant said they will pursue additional coordination with county utilities and stormwater management to assess the site’s drainage and any possible pumping or mitigation. Several commissioners asked staff and the developer to present clearer engineering mitigation measures and revised site plans at the continued hearing; neighbors asked for enforceable conditions addressing hours, fencing, and wildlife protections. The public record will be updated before the June 17 hearing and the board will re‑notice the matter before that meeting.

Key details (from the published titles and staff summary): the comprehensive‑plan amendment was filed as PD‑25‑000054 to change Map 2‑15 sheet 10 from RES‑1 (residential, one dwelling unit per gross acre) to PD (planned development) and to create a sub‑area policy (FLU‑7‑1‑82, “Little Road PD”). The companion rezoning described a plan for townhomes and roughly 32,452 square feet of commercial uses on 7.83 acres.

What is not decided: the continuance means the board made no land‑use decision today. When the matter returns, the board may hear updated engineering analyses, revised proffers or conditions of approval, and any applicant changes. Citizens who spoke today were warned they likely will not be allowed to speak again at the continued hearing unless the board changes its typical rules for public comment.","Pasco County commissioners accepted public comment and continued a proposed comprehensive‑plan amendment and companion rezoning for 7.83 acres near Little Road and Jasmine Boulevard to the June 17, 2025 meeting in New Port Richey.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6234601,"Commission Approves Mitchell MPUD for Business Park; Developer to Fund Multi‑Use Trail Connection Study",1451,6821000,8272000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3411037-4f9046e5e3a3d3656059657ec7a1f13e&start=6821&end=8272","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3411037-4f9046e5e3a3d3656059657ec7a1f13e/thumbnail_6821000.jpg","/articles/6234601/Pasco-County/Florida/Commission-Approves-Mitchell-MPUD-for-Business-Park-Developer-to-Fund-MultiUse-Trail-Connection-Study","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6234601-5f3f58ef1e7b478f22385aa5e1f01ed2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771082696&Signature=nntRs~ZD4JhikrM711pj2MbB43LxD42rmeIeNN~DCD~XXMYFSe3D4B5PGLclbpub7JI0CwrH0pq1wN2x-xCPnSnaZuTPtFbVbjg5jneTpUEDdGlEf6WQdAMN9W9V6Mt1-DG9KFFmNWdLMltP5m8rgkGqWScy82b97mF2jagrR1hWqCBZPgKpY6dpC4hSCNCoK4RIV5SRdbEMsbpOSBSYrSeN4DNbLsLXwbGEvX~pGJx1ZvSpZRdyBkH4gsV7NnVct-7dQUDlsV1awV~Px7pEVijunxsNIPO-VFDZcKUGqfYeKWA6QPR8h30yupIf26W2gIaKk4anHHh2h8lvmgoDoA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pasco County commissioners voted to approve the Mitchell Master Plan Unit Development (MPUD), a large business‑park proposal in southwest Pasco County that will allow up to approximately 515,000 square feet of business‑park space and about 107,000 square feet of commercial retail on roughly 92 acres (Item P‑56).

Planning staff recommended approval with several variations and conditions tailored to the site’s wetlands, internal circulation and fee treatment. The developer negotiated a blended mobility‑fee approach for the employment campus (a single blended fee at building‑completion rather than parcel‑by‑parcel assessment, to accommodate multiple tenants). Staff also recommended variations to buffering and stormwater maintenance to allow parcel owners or the developer to maintain required features without forming a community development district if the ownership model does not require it.

Applicant representatives said the project would be a high‑quality business park developed by Saint John Properties and is expected to generate approximately 1,800 jobs based on the firm’s national experience with similar “flex” buildings. The developer offered a $15,000 contribution to fund county engineering costs to evaluate and, if feasible, construct a multi‑use connection to the Starkey Trail in coordination with Duke Energy.

Why it matters: the MPUD converts longstanding industrial zoning to a planned business park with design standards intended to attract higher‑paying, employment‑generating tenants while providing buffers and wetlands protections near neighboring residences. Commissioners emphasized landscaping, fencing and long‑term maintenance; staff said Saint John generally intends to retain ownership and maintain common areas.

Outcome: the board approved the MPUD after hearings and staff review. The approval includes conditions requiring enhanced buffers and landscaping along residential edges, stormwater and wetland protections, and the blended mobility fee structure. The applicant will coordinate design details with county staff during subsequent site‑plan and permitting reviews.

Next steps: the developer will proceed to site‑plan and permitting reviews; staff will work with the applicant on phasing, trail coordination with Duke Energy and construction drawings. The county will require the developer’s funding and permitting for a Starkey Trail connection if the route is feasible and if Duke Energy permits the crossing.","The Board approved the Mitchell MPUD, allowing a large business park and commercial node south of State Road 54 with conditions for buffers, wetlands and a funded study for a pedestrian connection to the Starkey Trail.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6234606,"Commission Approves Old Dixie Highway Marina with Conditions after Neighbors Voice Hurricane, Noise and Traffic Concerns",1367,5303000,6670000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3411037-4f9046e5e3a3d3656059657ec7a1f13e&start=5303&end=6670","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3411037-4f9046e5e3a3d3656059657ec7a1f13e/thumbnail_5303000.jpg","/articles/6234606/Pasco-County/Florida/Commission-Approves-Old-Dixie-Highway-Marina-with-Conditions-after-Neighbors-Voice-Hurricane-Noise-and-Traffic-Concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6234606-467aac3b46aa7b97cb8d49d434036e43/orig.mp4?Expires=1771082696&Signature=djMCmkaPCfB1Ts-Iyn81VHJZXBIg5hmnwU8Bpcm4h0vk~L56nEX8GLuDXYrtF~XhMUb8T5iOK9WJYgtW~PIIGU-BQWauDtvRt5Fq28mIQb4xl0yQo7aGrv6ZEfyC-qmGsUSCaQ6FkGXT5-f2N81EqMHtAgsHoVjOmiaDn28OebsaBoiHbmL9jL7FNQP2ppWE4aWmtwTvY3lH912r2niUYb0sAEwVGXWMcaLDb5OeEkYfupev7Lj01aoA5pv8MI2t89YpxmggmseC-xfv7dWJsRYuT2LQsM9I5NG7U0676tFVduBWrbADwwH1N9PdidW2fk~HXUjSbVICDpUPgn2s1w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Pasco County Board of County Commissioners approved a conditional‑use request to develop a commercial marina at Old Dixie Highway and Harbor Drive (Item P‑53) after staff, the applicant and multiple neighbors discussed conditions intended to reduce noise, traffic and storm‑related hazards. The Planning Department and Planning Commission both recommended approval with conditions.

Planning staff described the proposal as a commercial marina including up to 25 dry boat storage spaces and eight wet slips, with associated upland support facilities. Staff noted the proposal must meet the county’s marina standards (citing comprehensive‑plan policy COA‑2.105) and recommended conditions including a hurricane preparedness plan, a fuel‑management plan, signage to create an idle‑speed basin, compliance with Pasco County manatee protections and verification of adequate upland storage and support facilities.

Several nearby residents spoke in opposition, describing extensive damage from recent storms and expressing worry that additional boats and trailer traffic at the canal entrance would increase public‑safety risk and local noise. “There is no way to describe the stench and the smell of oil and gas from those boats on the canals,” said Elizabeth Donatello, who lives on Clark Street. Pete Vito, another resident, said he could find “not one person who is in favor of this” among neighbors and raised conflict‑of‑interest concerns about a planning commissioner’s prior association with an individual connected to the project.

Applicant representatives said they will restrict operating hours and submit a hurricane plan. Attorney Barbara Wilhite said the applicant will work with staff to revise Condition 7 to limit boat‑ramp hours to “no earlier than 7 a.m. and no later than 7 p.m.” and to otherwise comply with the county’s rules. Tim Lowe, an experienced local marina operator who addressed the board, said most stored boats are on trailers and that his operations communicated evacuation plans to customers before storms.

Why it matters: neighbors said recent hurricanes created concentrated debris and contamination risks in canals and that the marina’s location at a canal terminus and near a residential street could complicate evacuation and emergency access. The board required a hurricane preparedness plan and other operational conditions intended to reduce such risks.

Outcome and conditions: the board approved the conditional use with the recommended conditions and the edited hours of operation; the motion passed on a roll call vote with all present commissioners voting yes. Staff will condition final approval on submission of the specified plans (hurricane preparedness, fuel management), compliance with manatee protection measures, lighting that minimizes neighborhood glare and a demonstration of sufficient upland support areas for trailers and boats.

Next steps: the applicant will submit the required plans and demonstrate compliance with the conditions before receiving building permits and operational approvals. The county will monitor compliance with the conditions of approval and may enforce code provisions if violations occur.","The board approved a conditional‑use request for a commercial marina on Old Dixie Highway and Harbor Drive, subject to conditions including a hurricane preparedness plan, fuel‑management measures, manatee protection compliance and restricted hours of operation; neighbors expressed strong opposition citing flood, storm and quality‑of‑life risks.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6234596,"Commission Delays Dissolution of Highlands Road MSBU, Directs Assessment Be Set to $0 for Now",296,3476000,3772000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3411037-4f9046e5e3a3d3656059657ec7a1f13e&start=3476&end=3772","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3411037-4f9046e5e3a3d3656059657ec7a1f13e/thumbnail_3476000.jpg","/articles/6234596/Pasco-County/Florida/Commission-Delays-Dissolution-of-Highlands-Road-MSBU-Directs-Assessment-Be-Set-to-0-for-Now","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6234596-e1b45e56f29c96a4b5cda680444f19ab/orig.mp4?Expires=1771082696&Signature=GWHrcyIacdSwMfnjzgpYCr72BH6HeSH~-TKxYJQK2PeHaKGyNQuPPTZHYzu8SDVMexpknFpIMXlz4MbhFsbwOISzntZmb9BxSM2nCg9wsCVUxOyMw61rTCs66aAOyvNZfL4pRwV7PHzz5vlIlWbkW4IFJDf08jQ-s9AsVssl5eepr8ZYP9B0s3C99ErtJ5BMyUHcuTb2ZwaVz6gDp35z7cClqPG3DlnhkwK8MSLfDfgAqmzsvtA8JX2y334tXGiOW5AvquPEn9Orwg-I4462CcuVg9o9x2NfZqMqUJqmzToUuZymug3gyvHjFrjZ9zQMFexNJf1bQyz6lhEtDC788Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pasco County commissioners voted not to adopt an ordinance that would dissolve the Highlands Municipal Service Benefit Unit (MSBU) and, instead, directed staff to set the unit’s assessment at $0 for the upcoming year. The MSBU covers Highlands roadways and had been proposed for dissolution in Item P‑46.

Jerry Williams of Public Infrastructure, Fiscal and Business Administration presented background showing Highlands consists of seven units, 36.5 road miles and 742 equivalent residential units (ERUs). Staff noted the Highlands roadways are now maintained under the Road Rehabilitation Services MSTU adopted by the board in Ordinance 24‑31 (June 18, 2024) and recommended next steps.

Several commissioners expressed concern that permanently dissolving the MSBU now could remove a funding mechanism needed for roads in poorer condition and could create a risk of double taxation if funding is later required by another mechanism. Commissioner Yeager and others preferred maintaining the MSBU on the books and setting the assessment to $0 this year — allowing the county flexibility to fund repairs later without removing the assessment authority.

Outcome: the board voted to deny adoption of the dissolution ordinance and to advertise that the assessment would be set to $0 during the summer millage/MSBU process; the motion carried on roll call. Staff indicated the matter can be revisited next budget cycle and that keeping the MSBU on the books preserves a possible funding vehicle for road repairs in Highlands.

Why it matters: the action preserves a local funding mechanism (an MSBU) that can be used to assess property owners for roadway maintenance if needed while avoiding an immediate tax increase for residents by setting the assessment to zero for the coming cycle.","The board declined to adopt an ordinance dissolving the Highlands Municipal Service Benefit Unit (MSBU) and instead directed staff to set the assessment temporarily to $0 and revisit the MSBU during the summer budget/MSBU process to avoid potential double taxation and retain the funding option for road repairs.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Pasco County Increases Fire‑Rescue Impact Fees; Board Rejects Commercial Cap

Neighbors Press Pasco County Commissioners on Little Road PD Amendment, Board Continues Hearing to June 17

Commission Approves Mitchell MPUD for Business Park; Developer to Fund Multi‑Use Trail Connection Study

Commission Approves Old Dixie Highway Marina with Conditions after Neighbors Voice Hurricane, Noise and Traffic Concerns

Commission Delays Dissolution of Highlands Road MSBU, Directs Assessment Be Set to $0 for Now