TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Rural Areas Vulnerable As Local Officials Drag Feet

ADVERTISEMENT

The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 3, 2008

After years of lax growth controls, Pasco County officials charted a refreshing new course more than two years ago by approving a much-needed rewrite of the comprehensive land use plan, the road map for orderly development.

The most important measures were designed to protect scenic, rural northeast Pasco from the type of high-density, cookie-cutter subdivisions that have smothered many parts of the county, overwhelming roads, resources and schools. The revisions were designed to preserve northeast Pasco's unique topography, which includes some of the highest points in Florida, and rural qualities.

The Northeast Pasco Rural Plan, which covers tens of thousands of undeveloped acres in the unincorporated county between the Green Swamp and just west of Interstate 75, was enthusiastically embraced by residents, whose ideas were incorporated into it. They made it clear to county officials and consultants that they wanted to preserve their rural lifestyles.

Work on the plan began in 2004, and county commissioners gave their approval in the summer of 2006. The entire process, up to that point, was impressive and worthy of emulation by other counties.

But now it appears the commission may sabotage the plan's goals. Commissioners still haven't adopted the necessary ordinances to give the rural plan teeth. This includes rules dictating the dos and don'ts of siting subdivisions and protecting topography, among many others.

Thus, residents are rightly worried that Pasco's last frontier - home to most of its remaining large ranches and farms - still could be claimed by sprawling, high-density development.

It is absurd that the ordinances have neither been finalized for public hearings nor approved. Two years is more than enough time to write, debate and approve ordinances needed to enforce the plan. Most of the blame should go to county commissioners, who have failed to press the county attorney's office hard enough to get the work done. This needs to be a priority.

In addition, and just as absurd, the county appears to be giving large landowners and development interests another bite at this juicy plumb. At a meeting earlier this fall in Dade City, county staff reopened the visioning process.

Public input should always be encouraged, but the visioning process had already been completed. So why make special provisions for select interests now?

Residents who attended county workshops and meetings already have produced an admirable vision - one that protects a beautiful area from overdevelopment and allows agricultural pursuits and rural lifestyles.

The danger now is the rural plan will be gutted before the ordinances are approved, which would be an outrage. The nuts and bolts of the plan already have withstood an administrative challenge. The county shouldn't risk another.

The task for county commissioners and county attorneys is simple: write the ordinances, conduct public hearings and adopt them.

In a county where development has ruled the roost for too long, it's time for Pasco to keep a commitment to responsible growth.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT