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Developer Calls For Official's Recusal

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By CHRISTIAN M. WADE

The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 24, 2008

DADE CITY - Ahead of a crucial vote on annexing his property into the city, the developer of a proposed subdivision on the city's southern edge has accused Commissioner Steve Van Gorden of waging a campaign of "lies and misinformation" against his project.

Zach Seybold, the Winter Park developer behind the Terrace Park project, said because of that, Van Gorden should recuse himself from a vote tonight on the annexing and rezoning of the site, a 56-acre parcel along U.S. 301 south of Willingham Avenue.

Seybold said Van Gorden has been campaigning against the subdivision, trying to persuade officials and residents that the project isn't in the best interests of the city. Seybold said he doesn't know why Van Gorden is targeting his project.

"It is wrong for a commissioner to push their own agenda at the expense of local land owners," he wrote. "This violates all ethical standards for a person in his position."
Van Gorden denies the allegations and said he has "no intention" of recusing himself.

"I don't know where he is getting this from, but he's wrong," Van Gorden said. "As a city commissioner, it is my responsibility to make sure that I look out for the city's interests and that involves asking questions and talking with city officials and the community."

The commissioner said he hasn't decided how he will vote on the annexation request, but he still has many unanswered questions about the proposed Terrace Park project.

"I'm still gathering information," he said Monday. "I haven't taken a position on it yet."

Preliminary site plans, submitted with the annexation request, call for building no more than 286 homes - a mix of single-family and town homes - and a small office park.

The size and scope of the project has changed several times since it was submitted to the city a year ago. The area borders a neighborhood with single-family homes on larger lots as well as commercially zoned property along the busy U.S. 301 corridor.

At one point, the developers had proposed building a road connecting U.S. 301 and State Road 52. That idea has been replaced, however, with a proposal to extend the city's rails-to-trails pathway, which will run through a municipal right of way on the property.

Seybold took over the project this year from his brother, who recently died.

Since then, he said he has taken "numerous steps" to accommodate concerns of city planners and officials on issues such as unit density, traffic and stormwater runoff.

"We have completely reconfigured the project, incorporated larger lots and reduced our density by almost 40 percent from a previous developer's proposal," he said.

He said he is willing to make other concessions to make the project more attractive.

"We want to be good neighbors," Seybold said. "We want to make everyone happy."

Before he moves ahead with the project, commissioners must approve the annexation and rezoning request, which includes signing off on the number of proposed homes.

In most cases, annexations are requested by developers who are building or planning housing or retail. Under state law, property annexed from a county to a city has to be compact, contiguous to the surrounding land and serve urban-development purposes.

For developers, annexations mean more access to central sewer and drinking water systems and fire and police services. By adding upscale developments, city officials hope to generate more property tax dollars, which help pay for municipal services.

Figures provided by the city indicate that the project would generate a one-time payment of about $1.6 million in impact fees and an estimated $142,000 a year in tax proceeds.

Commissioners must decide if the trade-off is a good deal for a city that is struggling to provide services amid a loss of property tax revenue from state-mandated reforms.

There are other concerns, however, including the impact from the subdivision on surrounding roads, notably U.S. 301, and whether the area could accommodate the extra traffic.

The density of the proposed housing project is another issue for city officials.

County officials reviewed the project in the fall and concluded it was too intense for the area, but Seybold said the density has been substantially reduced since that review was done.

The issue of stormwater runoff in the neighborhood is of equal concern to city officials. The property is in a low-lying basin, which is prone to flooding.

The city commission meets at 5:30 p.m. today in city hall, 38020 Meridian Ave.

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

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