Residents and property owners near the Lowe’s/Publix area pressed the Zephyrhills City Council on April 28 for faster action on a new future land‑use element the city is drafting for that area. Property owner Phyllis Purvis told the council she had been promised a short timetable and called an emailed schedule that showed a November‑December window “not what was discussed” and unacceptable.

Purvis said she and family members — one of whom is elderly — need flexible meeting options. “It’s just that I’m gonna have to round everybody up,” she told the council, and requested a virtual meeting option so out‑of‑town owners could participate.

Todd Vandenberg, the city’s planning director, said he had spoken with Purvis and with the city’s planning consultant and that staff can “shave some time off” the schedule. Vandenberg outlined the process: staff will gather property‑owner input, finalize draft language for a new future land‑use element, take the draft to the planning commission and then to city council, and transmit any comprehensive plan amendment to the state for review before final adoption. He said staff would schedule meetings with owners, including virtual sessions if convenient.

Council members reiterated that the eventual land‑use framework is intended to be followed by Planned Unit Development (PUD) zoning if owners choose that route. Vandenberg said the PUD pathway would allow the city and property owners to identify the mix of uses acceptable to all parties while implementing the vision developed during prior workshops.

On related infrastructure questions, Vandenberg said the Dairy Road extension alignment study being done by Kimley‑Horn is under review; the Wire Ranch townhomes development had reserved right‑of‑way for the extension and would provide retention for the adjacent section. He added that some right‑of‑way could come from a Community Development District holding west of the planned alignment and that staff would field‑check existing fence locations and property lines “to see where they’re planning that or constructing that fence.”

Council members asked staff to review potential impacts on currently‑platted lots, and Vandenberg said he would meet with Purvis to coordinate property‑owner meetings and provide a clearer timetable.