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Zephyrhills Utilities Request Revived

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By CHRISTIAN M. WADE

The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 9, 2008

ZEPHYRHILLS - A mobile home park owner who was denied his request last month to hook up to the city's utility system now wants the council to reconsider.

Matthew J. Schlichte, of Hillside Mobile Home Estates, had asked to connect to the municipal water and sewer systems as part of an effort to upgrade the retirement community's infrastructure. He offered to pay the full cost for extending utility service to the park.

In rejecting his request, the council cited a reluctance to get involved in a dispute between the owner and park residents about increasing rents to fund the upgrades.

In a letter to City Manager Steve Spina, Schlichte said Hillside needs the improved services.

"Although disappointed with the prior decision of the city council, we believe that offering residents a reliable source of drinking water and sewer service is an appropriate goal," Schlichte wrote, adding he wants to address the board on the matter.

Ultimately, council members will need to decide whether to change their minds.

Under the proposed deal between Hillside and Zephyrhills, the owner had agreed to pay more than $300,000 in impact fees and an estimated $45,000 to extend distribution lines into the park. Residents would pay a portion of the costs in the form of higher rents.

The community of 176 manufactured homes on State Road 54 is served by two wells and a small wastewater treatment plant that replaced the park's septic tanks.

In the past decade, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection has cited Hillside numerous times for violations involving its drinking water and wastewater systems. There are no current DEP enforcement actions pending against Schlichte.

Under state law, residents argue, there has to be a mandate from regulators before the landlord can pass along the expense of upgrading the utilities.

Hillside is one of several mobile home parks seeking to tie into the municipal system.

The owner of Brightside Mobile Home Park and Rainbow Mobile Court, which are north of the city on U.S. 301, has requested to hook up to the city's centralized sewer plant.

Christian Robin, who reportedly is trying to sell both parks, has asked city officials to defer his sewer connection fees for 21/2 years.

Council members unanimously approved that agreement on April 14.

For residents in the east Pasco parks, most of whom live on fixed incomes, the changes likely will mean higher utility bills for better service.

Christian M. Wade can be reached at (727) 815-1082 or cwade@tampatrib.com.

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