Pasco commissioners approve taller apartment buildings, require public access through site for Deerbrook–Shady Hills connection

The Pasco County Board of County Commissioners on Feb. 25 approved a conditional use amendment allowing a previously approved multifamily development to increase building height from three to four stories and to include elevators, subject to conditions including a public access easement and county engineer sign‑off.

The change affects an approximately 18.65‑acre site located just north of State Road 52 near the Deerbrook/Shady Hills area. Planning staff said the site is already approved for multifamily dwellings in a C‑2 General Commercial District but that a 2005 conditional use permit capped building height at 35 feet. The applicant asked to remove that height cap and instead cap building height voluntarily at four stories.

Planning staff and the applicant told commissioners they had negotiated conditions intended to preserve…