New Port Richey council finds slum and blight for Leisure Lane and Van Doren to pursue CRA inclusion

The New Port Richey City Council on a unanimous vote adopted Resolution 20-26-05, finding the Leisure Lane and Van Doren Avenue area a slum and blighted enclave and starting the process to include the neighborhood in the city's Community Redevelopment Area (CRA). City staff said the move is a preliminary, statutory step that allows the city to pursue redevelopment tools and tax increment financing to support future projects.

Staff member (presenting) told the council the parcels were annexed into the city on Oct. 1, 2024, and Stan Tech Consulting completed a finding of necessity in March 2025 that identified deteriorating housing, illegal dumping, high vacancy and code violations. The staff presentation noted the city mailed notices to all taxing authorities and ran the required newspaper notice in the Tampa Bay Times 15 days before the meeting.

Councilmembers said bringing the area into the CRA could help adjacent commercial areas and allow the city to pursue state and county funding. One councilmember noted the plan would move through additional hearings, including the land development review board and the CRA board, before any TIF amendment was adopted.

The resolution directs staff to continue with the statutorily required actions, including additional public hearings and coordination with taxing authorities. The council approved the resolution by voice vote, recorded as five ayes and no dissent. The council did not authorize specific projects or funding at this meeting; staff said the action is a finding of necessity and a next step toward potential redevelopment and future budget requests.

The city plans to return with further resolutions and TIF ordinance amendments after consultations with the land development review and CRA boards and additional public outreach.