February Update from Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore

I hope you all had a wonderful February. As always, I greatly appreciate you taking the time to read these updates on what is happening in Pasco County.

Please make sure to continue following the guidelines from our health experts to fight the spread of COVID-19: wear a face covering when you cannot distance from others, wash your hands regularly, and avoid large groups. Please check out the Florida Department of Health in Pasco’s website at pasco.floridahealth.gov for the latest information.

As mentioned in last month’s update, a portion of Overpass Road from Boyette Road to Old Pasco Road closed on February 8th for approximately a year while construction continues on the new Overpass Road interchange on Interstate 75. This This will significantly benefit Avalon Park Wesley Chapel by relieving traffic off the interchange at Exit 279 (State Road 54).

I’m thrilled to give you an update on Operation Feed Pasco, a County program launched in partnership with the United Way of Pasco County to respond to the needs of our community food banks while keeping our restaurants working. Since Operation Feed Pasco began in May 2020, 237,000 meals were provided by local restaurants to local food banks. This filled an important role for our residents facing economic harm from COVID-19.

On February 9th, the Pasco BOCC voted for staff to bring back an ordinance for a temporary moratorium on new multifamily development applications from U.S. 41 on the west, to State Road 52 on north, Bruce B. Downs Boulevard on the east, and State Road 56 on the south. This is a portion of the district I represent and am strongly in favor of this moving forward. I believe this area is already oversaturated with multifamily units. There are many more properties that already have entitlements that could build today without re-zonings. I believe we need a pause to take know what properties in this area already have the ability to build multifamily apartments in this section of the county. I do not want to lose limited land left in this area for job creating sites when there are plenty of properties that already have the zoning for multifamily.

Early in the month, I had the opportunity to tour the construction site of new recreation center at Wesley Chapel District Park. I’m happy to report it will open on schedule this summer! The new facility will be about 18,000 square feet and includes plenty of space for community groups to meet. This will be a great asset for all our citizens! While at Wesley Chapel District Park, I got to test out my slapshot at the new street hockey rink, built as a partnership between Pasco County and the Tampa Bay Lightning!

Our community was proud to serve as host for the United States Premier Hockey League hub for the regular season from January through mid-February. The teams stayed safely at Saddlebrook and played their games at Advent- Health Center Ice in Wesley Chapel. Players, coaches, staff and visiting scouts generated thousands of hotel room nights and economic development in our community. I spoke to the league’s commissioner towards the end of the stay, they had a great time! I invited them to come back again next season or for future tournaments and events. We are Florida’s Sports Coast!

Finally, February 7th was an exciting day as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers became the first team to play and win the Super Bowl at their home stadium. Go Bucs!

For all the latest information, please check out Pasco County’s website at MyPasco.net. Remember, we will continue to get through by working together!

About: Commissioner Mike Moore represents District 2 on the Pasco County Commission. He lives in Wesley Chapel with his wife and three children.