Council extends temporary moratorium on certain residential approvals while staff studies water supply options

The Zephyrhills City Council on July 14 approved on second reading a temporary moratorium — not to exceed 12 months — on new residential annexations, land‑use changes, major PUD amendments, conditional uses and variances for properties over one acre. The ordinance is intended to give staff time to evaluate long‑term water supply options before accepting new large residential development.

City Manager William Poe Jr. briefed council that the moratorium is driven by the city’s need to secure sustainable additional water supplies. He said staff is evaluating two primary options: making a regional connection to Pasco County’s system (which is part of Tampa Bay Water) or developing the City Business Center supply. Poe said initial conversations with Pasco County indicated the county could provide up to 1.5 million gallons per day without stressing its system, but a connection would require treatment compatibility analyses and infrastructure work.

Treatment compatibility is a key technical issue. CJ Fennell, the city’s water superintendent, explained Pasco County treats with chloramines (a combined chlorine and ammonia disinfectant) while the city currently uses free chlorine; connecting would require steps to convert and manage the different residual disinfectant, including periodic free‑chlorine “burns” that Pasco conducts and which can generate public complaints.

Council discussion ranged across options and costs. Councilmembers asked staff to explore whether contracting directly with Tampa Bay Water could be feasible and cost‑effective versus receiving treated water via Pasco County. Staff said direct transmission from Tampa Bay Water would likely be more complex and costly because of transmission distances and rights‑of‑way; connecting via Pasco County was the nearer‑term option being studied.

What council did: the council approved the moratorium on second reading (ordinance 1501/1502 series) to prevent applications that could be inconsistent with the city’s emerging water plan while staff completes the study. Staff said it will study treatment compatibility, transmission costs and potential membership or transmission agreements and return with recommendations and a timeline for lifting or tailoring the moratorium.

Why it matters: the moratorium affects large residential development proposals and annexations and is aimed at protecting current customers and ensuring new growth can be served with an adequate water supply and compatible treatment approach. Staff emphasized that the moratorium is a pause to inform long‑term policy; it does not bar applicants from technical conversations with staff while the study proceeds.