Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Housing Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission approves Crews Lake/Shady Hills townhome plan; neighbors cite wetlands, traffic and school capacity concerns
Summary
The Planning Commission approved a comprehensive plan amendment and MPD rezoning for a 186‑unit townhome project near Crews Lake and the Suncoast Parkway; applicant committed to offsite pedestrian improvements and buffers, while opponents urged denial over wetlands loss, traffic and emergency access.
The Pasco County Planning Commission voted to approve a comprehensive plan amendment and master planned unit development rezoning that would allow up to 186 townhomes on about 28.2 acres north of Crews Lake and east of the Suncoast Parkway, contingent on conditions including enhanced pedestrian connections and landscape buffering.
The applicant, represented by Ryan Homes, and county staff described a plan that dedicates additional right of way, adds multi‑use paths and sidewalks to connect to schools and the Suncoast Trail, and provides visitor parking beyond code minimums. The project proponent said the design includes a binding concept plan, a western buffer along existing residences and on‑site open space.
Several residents and local community leaders opposed the project during public comment. Pastor Jen Krecker (spelling as on record) and other speakers cited wetlands protection, cumulative loss of natural flood mitigation, local emergency response capacity and existing traffic and safety problems on Shady Hills Road and nearby State Road corridors. One commenter presented summary figures on statewide wetland acreage and cited FEMA claims and water‑supply concerns as background for opposing additional development in wetland‑rich parts of Pasco County.
Planning staff recommended the comprehensive plan amendment be found consistent with the plan’s North Market area policies and recommended approval of the MPD with conditions. Staff noted the project area has no mapped onsite floodplain and that the applicant would connect to central water and sewer. The applicant agreed to construct an 8‑foot multi‑use path along Crews Lake Drive, a 5‑foot sidewalk on the project frontage, and a lighted pedestrian crossing to help children reach nearby schools. The school district provided a capacity summary during the hearing: Mary G. Ella Elementary was shown at roughly 81% capacity and Crews Lake Middle at about 47% under current projections; the school district said opening of a nearby new school (Sky Brook) should relieve some projected enrollment pressure.
Commissioners asked technical questions about buffers, sidewalks and whether interconnection to an adjacent school property was feasible; staff said an interconnect to the west was not feasible because the site abuts school fields and recreation uses, and that the applicant’s pedestrian improvements supported the intent of the code’s interconnect requirement.
After discussion, the commission voted to approve the comprehensive plan amendment and the MPD rezoning with conditions. The chair recorded an abstention; the motions carried and will advance to the Board of County Commissioners for final action and permit review.
The project demonstrates the recurring balance planners must strike among housing supply, school capacity, multimodal connectivity and protection of environmental resources. Opponents asked the county to deny the proposal or at minimum require additional neighborhood engagement before the Board of County Commissioners hearing.
