Board approves Grove at Wesley Chapel MPUD amendment adding 275 multifamily units; developer commits to pedestrian and shared‑work space

The Pasco County commissioners approved a substantial amendment on Sept. 3 to the Grove at Wesley Chapel Master Planned Unit Development to add 275 multifamily units in what the applicant described as phase 2, increasing multifamily entitlements from 300 to 575.

Planning staff said the amendment included adjustments to building orientation, on‑street parking and a central linear park amenity fronting internal roads to tie into existing pedestrian connections. Staff also reported planning commission recommendations were accepted, including pedestrian safety improvements (stop signs and marked crosswalks toward the existing Crate and Barrel area) and a condition requiring a dedicated co‑working/WeWork style space on site.

William Vermillion of planning presented the application and said the applicant worked with county staff on building orientation and on‑street parking to support walkability. The applicant agreed to provide at least 1,000 square feet of dedicated co‑working office space in addition to leasing and management offices: "That square footage is now in these conditions of approval," Vermillion said.

Developer representatives told the board the first phase of apartments has leased well and that the new phase will be a four‑story product with elevators to add housing choice and help support retail activity in the Grove. The developer said remaining commercial parcels include several pads suitable for hotel, retail and office uses, and that the proposed increase in residential units will help drive foot traffic to existing merchants.

Commissioners asked about traffic and timing. Planning staff confirmed a transportation analysis was performed that included the additional 275 units and said collector and arterial roads in the area meet county standards, which is why a substandard road analysis was found exempt. Staff said the timing and phasing review was not exempt and that the traffic study evaluated the proposed units.

The board moved to approve the MPUD amendment subject to the recommended conditions; a motion passed with ayes recorded. The approval preserves commercial entitlements on the site and adds the residential units and conditions agreed to by the applicant.

Ending: The county required pedestrian safety measures and the co‑working space as conditions; staff will continue to track entitlement use and site‑plan submittals for future phases.