The Laker-Wesley Chapel/New Tampa-January 13, 2021

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New community planned along SR 56

By B.C. Manion bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com

The new Two Rivers community proposed to rise along State Road 56, between Morris Bridge Road and U.S. 301, is a step closer to reality. The Pasco County Planning Commission has recommended the approval of changes to a highway vision map and to the text of the county’s comprehensive plan — to bring the envisioned project closer to fruition. The Pasco County Commission has final

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jurisdiction over land use and zoning decisions, so the project still needs additional approvals before any work can commence. But, plans for the area envision a 3,405acre community that offers a mixture of housing types, work opportunities, shopping, recreation and schools. The Two Rivers project has been in planning stages — off and on — for more than 10 years, and there have been a number of ownership changes, according to Craig Lohmiller, a group leader for Ardurra, who has been involved with the project for more than a decade.

Current plans call for creating Two Rivers as a master-planned development in Pasco County, which would tie into a community under the same ownership that is south of the Pasco-Hillsborough line, according to attorney Clarke Hobby, co-counsel on the project along with Attorney Joel Tew. Background materials in the agenda packet detail that planning for the project site includes: • 246 acres of conservation area • 3,875 single-family homes See COMMUNITY, page 7A

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Paving a path toward progress Roadwork is happening all over Pasco County — kicking up dirt and causing lane closures. But, once the work is finished, getting around Pasco County should be a whole lot easier. Work crews are widening State Road 54 from two lanes to four lanes with a median, from east of Curley Road to east of Morris Bridge Road, near Zephyrhills. See Page 1B for a detailed look at the projects.

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400 apartments proposed on Wesley Chapel Boulevard

Positive COVID-19 cases, and deaths, continue to mount.

By B.C. Manion bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com

B.C. Manion The Pasco County Planning Commission has recommended approval of a change to the county’s comprehensive plan that would allow consideration of up to 400 apartments to be developed on 28.2 acres, at the intersection of Wesley Chapel Boulevard and Hay Road. Planning commissioners recommended approval, despite objections from commissioners Peter Hanzel and Roberto Saez. The proposed change of the comprehensive plan is the first step in the process to permit the proposed development. A zoning change would be required, too. The Pasco County Commission has final jurisdiction over land use and zoning changes. The current land use designations on the property allow up to six dwellings per acre, and also light industrial uses.The proposed change would allow up to 24 dwellings per acre. County planners recommended approval of the request, which they say will yield about 13 dwellings per acre on the land because it has a significant amount of wetlands. The county’s comprehensive plan does not have a category between RES12, which allows up to 12 units per acre, and RES-24, which allows 24 units per acre. In this case, the applicant has agreed to cap the density at 400 units, as a condition in its planned request for a master-planned unit development rezoning. See APARTMENTS, page 7A

bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com FILE

out following another board meeting in late January, where final event recommendations will be agreed upon, Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce Director Melonie Monson told The Laker/Lutz News in a recent interview. Multiple proposals already have been discussed with Pigz in Z’Hills committee members and chamber leaders on the best approach. One general concept that has been floated includes having attendees simply “drive through a line and pick up their BBQ, and then park and stay in their cars and listen to a concert,” Monson said. But even this plan and its logistics have been questioned, as Monson said organizers “really struggled with some of the concept and the concern, so I think we’re back to square one of how we can do this in a COVID world and ensure safety.” “The board really wants to be extra cautious, for sure,” she added.

As the number of positive COVID-19 cases and deaths continue to rise, frustration is mounting among people eager to get vaccinated to protect themselves from the deadly virus. So far, demand for vaccines is outpacing supply in both Pasco and Hillsborough counties — and when tickets are available to receive a vaccine, they are quickly snapped up. Land O’ Lakes resident Jeff Cordover said he was finally able to get through, and he and his wife, Judy, were able to get their first dose of the vaccine. Once there, the process went smoothly, Cordover said. “The wait wasn’t bad.We had a 3 o’clock appointment, and we maybe waited 20 minutes or so,” Cordover said. But his wife, Judy, said improvements are needed to make it less confusing to register for a vaccine. “Getting the vaccine wasn’t the problem. The problem was getting into the computer to get the registration to get the vaccine,” she said. The Florida Department of Health in Pasco County is offering vaccinations by appointment only to those age 65 and older. Registering for the vaccine must be done through the department’s website. Those wishing to obtain a vaccine are encouraged to check the website frequently for updates of when new registrations are being accepted.The sign-ups are based on vaccine supplies. No new registrations were being accept-

See FESTIVAL, page 7A

See COVID-19, page 7A

This year’s Pigz in Z’Hills BBQ & Blues Fest may feature a socially distanced car drive-in concert format with local or Florida-based bands only. But, there won’t be the other usual frills like a prized BBQ team competition, car show, cornhole tournament, business expo, or kids fun zone.

Pigz in Z’Hills festival postponed until April By Kevin Weiss kweiss@lakerlutznews.com

Like so many other major events throughout the Tampa Bay area, the 11th annual Pigz in Z’Hills BBQ & Blues Fest will be forced to make many adjustments in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. The largest annual event in Zephyrhills — which was slated for Feb. 27 — has been tentatively postponed until April, in the name of health and safety. Exact dates, times and a location are still to be determined, as are ticket and parking prices. The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors agreed on the postponement in mid-December, after consulting with medical professionals and event partners, according to a chamber news release. The BBQ festival’s reboot will take on a different flavor in 2021 compared to past years — possibly focusing on just a drive-in concert and drive-thru BBQ meal pickup. More concrete details will be hammered


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