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Pasco commissioners approve surplus Colfax Drive lot for affordable housing nonprofit with reversion clause; one commissioner opposes
Summary
The board approved disposing of a county-held vacant lot on Colfax Drive to Tampa Bay Neighborhood Housing Services for development of two affordable homes, accepting a nominal $10 transaction with a three‑year construction reversion clause; one commissioner opposed the sale.
The Pasco County Board of County Commissioners voted on Feb. 25 to approve the surplus disposition of a county-owned parcel on Colfax Drive to a nonprofit housing developer for construction of two single-family homes.
County staff presented the parcel as two adjoining lots totaling about 100 by 127 feet, appraised at $26,993 for vacant land. Staff said no property taxes had been paid on the parcel since 2006, producing more than $25,000 in lost tax revenue, and that county expenses tied to the parcel — including code enforcement and a shed demolition — totaled $4,125.97.
Community Development and county staff recommended transferring the parcel to Tampa Bay Neighborhood Housing Services with a reversionary clause: construction must begin within three years or title reverts to the county. Staff said the nonprofit anticipates building two approximately 1,600-square-foot, three-bedroom, two-bath homes with estimated market values of $150,000 to $250,000 each and affordability restrictions; occupants would be Pasco County residents with at least three years' residency, according to the presentation.
Commissioner Waitman said he opposed disposing of county property for nominal sums, calling a $10 transaction unacceptable and arguing the county should seek closer to fair market value. Other commissioners said partnering with nonprofits to remove blighted lots, stop transient activity and build homeownership opportunities aligns with county goals.
The board approved the item by voice vote. Commissioners present at roll call were District 1 (Oakley), District 2 (Wakeman/Waitman), District 3 (Chair Star), and District 4 (Yeager); District 5 Commissioner Mariano was absent. The record at the meeting shows the motion passed with opposition from Commissioner Waitman; staff and other commissioners supported the transfer.
The transfer includes a reversion clause and affordability restrictions; staff said the project would generate property-tax revenue once constructed and would remove a vacant, overgrown lot from the county's inventory.
