Lutz News-Lutz/Odessa-July 19, 2017

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What’s next? • Pasco Emergency Management has moved from a response phase to a recovery phase, which is expected to take months to repair the sinkhole.

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• Pasco County is now treating this as a hazardous materials incident because of septic tank issues and building debris. The county began testing water quality of the nine evacuated homes on July 17 and planned to test it on 11 other homes in the neighborhood as well. Additional residents wishing to have their water tested for E. coli ($7 fee) or other possible contaminants (additional fees apply) may do so through the Pasco County Environmental Lab. Go to PascoCountyFl.net/index.aspx?NID=1476.

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• County officials will meet with homeowners and insurance companies to start mitigation

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• Residents who were evacuated will be allowed back into their homes as quickly as possible, but the county will be consulting with experts to be sure it is safe for them to return.

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Massive sinkhole swallows two homes

Get all your favorite local news stories Recovery efforts expected to take months online. SINKHOLE PHOTO COURTESY OF PASCO COUNTY, GUTHRIE PHOTO BY B.C. MANION

A depression indicating the presence of this sinkhole was initially reported to Pasco County authorities around 7:21 a.m., on July 14. It grew quickly, swallowing two homes and the roadway in front of it before going dormant that evening. Above, Kevin Guthrie, Pasco County’s assistant county administrator, addresses the media at one of several briefings regarding the giant sinkhole that opened up in Land O’ Lakes.

By B.C. Manion

bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com

Efforts are beginning in a recovery process to address impacts from a massive sinkhole that swallowed two homes in the Lake Padgett community of Land O’ Lakes. Kevin Guthrie, Pasco County’s assistant county administrator for public safety, said authorities received a 911 call at 7:21 a.m., on July 14, reporting a depression forming under a boat.

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it Oughta Be!

the final design and construction plan of about 8 miles of roadway that will cut through the Serenova Preserve. The first phase of the project, if approved, would extend Ridge Road from Moon Lake to the Suncoast Parkway. In a second phase, the road would extend from Suncoast to U.S. 41 across from Connerton Boulevard, in Land O’ Lakes. Environmentalists oppose the project, See PROJECT, page 11A

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The Ridge Road extension is still on the drawing board, waiting for a permit from the United States Army Corps of Engineers. But, at their July meeting in Dade City, Pasco County commissioners took a step forward in the nearly 19-year process of qualifying for the coveted permit. They updated a contract with NV5 Inc., and approved about $4.6 million toward

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Bexley Elementary, slated to open this fall, will relieve overcrowding in Oakstead and Odessa elementary schools. Pasco County’s growth is fueling the need for more schools.

Higher school impact fees expected in 2018 By B.C. Manion

bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com

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a.m., the sinkhole was at the edge of the driveway of one of the destroyed homes. “Within 45 minutes, the entire roadway was in,” he said. In addition to the two homes — at 21825 Ocean Pines Drive and 21835 Ocean Pines Drive — that were destroyed, the county tagged nine other homes as being unsafe to enter. Despite the extensive property damage, See SINKHOLE, page 11A

Pasco approves $4.6 million for Ridge Road project By Kathy Steele

Service the Way

First responders from Pasco County Fire Rescue were on scene by 7:36 a.m., according to county officials. “Very quickly, it (the sinkhole) started expanding toward the house, and then the house started falling in,” Guthrie said, estimated that happened within 30 to 40 minutes of them being on scene. First responders rescued two dogs from one home and quickly evacuated other nearby homes, he said. When Guthrie arrived, shortly after 9

The Pasco County School Board didn’t get the school impact rate increases initially recommended by a consultant hired by the school district, and the building community didn’t get the rate it was pushing — but Pasco County Commissioners have agreed to support higher impact fees for school construction. During a July 11 public hearing, commissioners committed to a proposed ordinance that calls for gradually increasing the rates — over a three-year period, with the first increase set to kick in on Jan. 1, 2018. Commissioners have scheduled a final vote on the issue for Aug. 15. By the time the rates reach their final

amount in 2020, they will represent 92 percent of what the school district’s consultant had recommended, according to David Goldstein, chief assistant county attorney for Pasco County. Achieving the compromise required a flurry of last-minute activity between representatives for the school district and the county, Goldstein said. Goldstein and Ray Gadd, deputy superintendent for Pasco County Schools worked out details over the weekend prior to the commission’s meeting. “Ray called me at 7 o’clock on a Saturday morning and said, ‘If I’ve got to work 24 hours a day trying to resolve this, you’ve got to wake up and help me resolve it, too,” See IMPACT, page 11A

In the Loop Brewing is ready for live music By Kathy Steele

ksteele@lakerlutznews.com

Patrons of In the Loop Brewing will be able to quaff their favorite craft beers while enjoying live music on an outdoor deck on the shores of Lake Padgett. Pasco County commissioners approved a request from the brewery’s owners to allow live music that previously had been banned. The hours of operation also were expanded to allow more flexibility for hosting special events, yoga classes and private parties. The item appeared on the consent agenda at the county commissioners July 11 meeting in Dade City. No one spoke in opposition, and commissioners unanimously gave their approval. In the Loop opened in 2016, at 3338 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in a restored two-story home. There is an on-site brewery, tap and tasting room.A beer garden, with a deck, overlooks Lake Padgett. Co-owner Joe Traina has described the live music as acoustic guitar playing, similar to Jimmy Buffet’s style.Typically, live music would be on weekends, and would complement the relaxed atmosphere of In the Loop, said Traina, speaking at a hearing before the Pasco County Planning Commission in June. The expanded hours, as approved by the county, would allow In the Loop to operate from 7 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week. Live music would be allowed from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., on Monday through Friday; and, from noon to 9 p.m., on Saturday and Sunday. Owners have said they plan to schedule operating hours that are less than what is allowed. The first live music event will be “Rhythm & Brews” on July 28 at 7 p.m., according to the brewery’s Facebook page. For more information, visit Facebook.com/InTheLoopBrewing.


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