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Utility Conflict Delays Trilby Estates Decision

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By KEVIN WIATROWSKI

The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 25, 2008

DADE CITY - Developer Lee Pallardy of Tampa has spent two years trying to build Trilby Estates, a horse-oriented subdivision off Powerline Road in the Trilby area. On Thursday, he learned he will have to wait two more weeks for approval of the project. The county's Development Review Committee delayed action on the 85-home development until Aug. 14 after Pallardy objected to a requirement that he install water lines and fire hydrants in the gated subdivision.

The demand for hydrants in the community of 2- to 6-acre home sites highlighted a conflict between the broad goals of Pasco County's long-range plan, which aims to keep suburban-style growth from the county's rural northeast, and the nitty-gritty of its code of ordinances, which requires anyone within 1,000 feet of an existing water line to connect to it.

Committee members delayed action to determine which course they should follow.

A county water line runs along the east side of U.S. 301 near Pallardy's 342-acre project. That fact should force Pallardy to install the lines and hydrants, Fire Marshal Larry Whitten told County Administrator John Gallagher and the committee.

The county's Northeast Pasco Rural Protection Area, which includes Trilby, bans the county from extending new utilities to low-density areas such as Pallardy's.

Pallardy argued that forcing him to extend the line violated the county's rules and, at $500,000 or more, is too expensive to be financially feasible.

Residents of the area, who rely on wells, urged the committee to demand the water lines to avoid drawing down groundwater supplies.

"Our biggest concern is the addition of 85 new wells is going to put a strain on the aquifer," Robert Pennington said.

Reporter Kevin Wiatrowski can be reached at (813) 948-4201 or kwiatrowski@tampatrib.com.

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