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Pastor Laments Zoning Action

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By CARL ORTH

The Suncoast News

Published: December 10, 2008

HUDSON - Elisha Ministries has been operating on a wing and a prayer for about a year.

But county code violation notices and stop-work orders last week could close the transitional facility for homeless people, according to the Rev. Jeff Fries, the ministry's founder.

The camp has been operating without proper permits, county officials say. The fenced site at 7919 Rhodes Road is zoned for commercial use, which doesn't allow residences, they say.

In addition, construction on the site raises safety issues, officials say.

"This is the worst time of year for this to happen," Fries said of the county crackdown during the onset of cold weather. The economic downturn could force more people out of homes, he said.

The ministry has helped up to 60 people at a time at Kamp Elisha, Fries said. The camp has a mobile home office and kitchen, recreational vehicles, a trailer converted into a shower facility and five tents.

The Rhodes Road site is about a block east of U.S. 19, roughly midway between Hudson and New York avenues. Fries said he owns the lot.

The ministry receives no government funds and survives on donations, Fries said. The ministry has been receiving about $2,000 a month, but expenses have averaged about $3,000 a month, he said.

A supermarket chain has donated food to the ministry, according to Fries.

County fines could mount to $20,000, Fries reported.

Al Mathis and Cathleen Coluzzi, who help Fries run the ministry, have been searching for help for the organization.

The ministry has had success helping people turn their lives around, Coluzzi said. "It's amazing."

Although the organization's goals might be laudable, a county official said, it has never sought proper permits.

"They're trying to build structures" without permits, Pasco County Code Compliance manager Richard Ortiz said.

Both his department and the Development Review Services Department were involved in the Wednesday visit to the camp.

"You can't live there anyway, where these trailers are," Ortiz said. The area carries a C-1, or neighborhood commercial zoning, which doesn't allow residences, he said. There are several businesses near the camp.

"It's not only permitting, but safety issues were involved," Ortiz said. "There's a lot of issues involved here."

Two notices of violations the Pasco Development Review Services Department recently issued order all work to "cease and desist."

The notice gives Fries, as the property owner, 10 days to correct the alleged violations.

In response to the Dec. 3 county enforcement action, Fries and other Elisha Ministries leaders are pleading for help in staying open.

For information, call (727) 967-2393 or call Coluzzi's mobile phone at (727) 277-2354. Send e-mails to elishamin@yahoo.com.

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