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Dade City Annexes Subdivision Property

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By CHRISTIAN M. WADE | The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 25, 2008

DADE CITY -- City commissioners Tuesday night approved the annexation and rezoning of a 56-acre parcel where a developer wants to build a subdivision.

The vote on the controversial annexation was 3-2, with Mayor Pro Tem Steve Van Gorden and Commissioner Curtis Beebe voting against it. Commissioners unanimously voted to rezone the undeveloped property, along U.S. 301 and south of Willingham Avenue, after several changes were made.

Before the vote, City Attorney Karla Owens recommended that Van Gorden recuse himself based on statements he had made against the project. He declined.

Preliminary site plans for the Terrace Park subdivision, 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. No site plans were approved Tuesday night.

Developer Zach Seybold told commissioners he has reduced the density of the project and tried to accommodate the concerns of city officials. He argued there is a demand for more housing in Dade City.

"There is a need for this kind of housing and not much supply," he told commissioners.

Approval of the annexation and rezoning is only the first step for the developer, who must submit building and stormwater retention plans to city planners. The project must also be approved by the Southwest Florida Water Management District.

The size and scope of the project has changed 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.

Opponents wearing stickers that said "Smart Growth" and "Not Terrace Park" packed city hall.

Several property owners were represented by Leonard H. Johnson, a local attorney, who presented commissioners with a three-ring binder full of information and argued the annexation request didn't meet the requirements of state law.

"My clients understand the importance of property rights," he said. "But we feel that this development doesn't meet the requirements of the law."

Mike Wells, Pasco County's property appraiser, lives near the project site and spoke against the annexation.

"I believe in this man's right to develop that property," he said. "But this is expensive annexation. It's a bad business deal."

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, once the homes are built and sold, according to city figures.

Commissioner Eunice Penix said she believes the city needs more housing to expand the property tax base.

"We've denied everything that has come to our city," she said. "We need more rooftops."

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

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