Monday, April 30, 2007

Hurricane Preparedness Checklist


Florida’s Sales Tax Holiday on
Hurricane Preparedness:
June 1-June 12, 2007

□ WATER: Drinking water—at least 1 gallon per person/day for two weeks
□ MEDICAL: 4 weeks supply of prescription medicines, First Aid Kit, antiseptic, pain reliever, bandages, & insect repellent
□ ICE CHESTS: Two, one for ice, one for food & don’t forget the ice
□ CASH/GAS: ATM’s, credit cards, & gas pumps may not work
□ REPAIR SUPPLIES: Plastic tarp for windows or roof repair, duct tape
□ TOOLS: Manual can opener, hammer, nails
□ PAPER/DISPOSABLE PRODUCTS: Paper towels, plates, cups, toilet paper, disposable plates, cups, & plastic eating utensils
□ INFANT NECESSITIES: Medicine, sterile water, formula, diapers, bottles
□ BATTERY OPERATED APPLIANCES: Radio, camera, portable television, fans, and batteries
□ CLEAN UP SUPPLIES: Mop, buckets, towels, plastic garbage bags, bleach/disinfectant
□ FIRE/LIGHT: Charcoal, lighting fluid, propane, matches, lanterns/flashlights and batteries
□ LINENS: Pillows, blankets, sleeping bags, air mattresses Try to wash all laundry prior to storm.
□ PERSONAL HYGIENE: Deodorant, disposable wipes, contact lens solution, toothpaste, etc.
□ NONPERISHABLE FOOD: Powdered/canned milk, canned/bottled juice, canned meats & fish—Spam, chicken, ham, tuna, cereal, cookies, crackers, peanut butter, jelly, bread
□ WATER TIGHT CONTAINERS FOR DOCUMENT STORAGE: Place insurance policies, birth certificates, wills, etc. in water tight containers

The Governor has just signed the Florida Sales Tax Holiday for Hurricane Preparedness. For more detailed information on what is covered and $ limits click on the following link:

Thursday, April 19, 2007

New Ice Rink and Lacrosse Proposals


The Pasco County Tourist Development Council had two pitches this week. One was for $10 million of tourist tax dollars to help fund an ice rink to be located in nearby Land O Lakes, Florida. The Pasco Ice Palace would house three rinks for hockey and figure skating with 4,000 seats and be located on US 41 near Tower Road.


The second proposal was for funds for a lacrosse tournament to be held in the new Wesley Chapel District Park.


New Wesley Chapel Hospital Applications

Last year three proposals were made to the state to build hospitals in the fast growing Wesley Chapel area. All three were denied their CON's (Certificates of Need) by the state. After regrouping, two applications have now been made. Adventist Health System and University Community Hospital have submitted a combined proposal. Additionally, Baycare Health System and USF have submitted a combined application for a Wesley Chapel teaching hospital. A decision by the state is expected on June 15th.

Saturday, April 14, 2007

Transeastern Homes' Troubles Continue..

The parent company of Transeastern Homes, the developer for Live Oak in New Tampa, TOUSA is involved in multiple lawsuits. Transeastern lost $468 million in the year ending November 30th and TOUSA's stock has fallen from close to $30 to below $4, per the St. Petersburg Times. The Times further reports that "since June 2006 Transeastern Homes obtained only four building permits for Live Oak and nearby The Hammocks". Additionally, nearly 50 earlier permits expired due to inactivity. Clearly this has caused concerns for owners of homes in Live Oak and town homes in the Hammocks, both New Tampa communities.

New Regional Park for New Tampa...

A 70 acre regional park in K Bar Ranch may be in the works for New Tampa. Tampa and Hillsborough County officials along with a developer may make a decision regarding a "land swap" deal on April 30th at a zoning hearing.

Wednesday, April 11, 2007

Community Garage Sales in West Meadows and Meadow Pointe

Two communities in the New Tampa and Wesley Chapel area will be holding garage sales on Saturday, April 14, 2007:
West Meadows and Meadow Pointe. Happy shopping!

Carrabba's Italian Grill coming to Wesley Chapel


Wesley Chapel has another restaurant coming to town! Carrabba's Italian Grill is reported to be building a restaurant at Meadow Pointe in Wesley Chapel. Construction is supposed to start in December 2007 with a planned March 2008 opening.

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Pasco County Considering Doubling Impact Fees on New Homes

Pasco County will be having a hearing today regarding the doubling of road impact fees on new homes. Fees could be raised to $8,000.00 on NEW homes effective October 1, 2007. That number could increase annually each year thereafter as well. Additionally, a proposal to raise the tax on gasoline a nickel a gallon is under consideration. A "final" vote is expected later this month.

Sunday, April 08, 2007

TASTE OF NEW TAMPA!!


Taste of NEW TAMPA will be held from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 6, 2007 at the Shoppes of New Tampa in Wesley Chapel (Bruce B. Downs at S.R. 56). Pre-sale tickets are $10.00 per person and can be purchased by contacting www.newtampa.org . Tickets are $15.00 at the event and children under 5 are free.
Participating restaurants include Beef O-Bradys, Boston Market, Johnny Carinos, Saddlebrook Rerot, Shane's Rib Shack, Mulligan's Irish Pub, Cafe Cones, Cracker Barrel, Polo's Italian Grill, Moe's, Cold Stone Creamery, and more....


Monday, April 02, 2007

Tampa Home Sale Statistics & Average Home Prices

The Greater Tampa Association of Realtors has released the most recent data on the Greater Tampa area for home sales and prices for February 2007. The reported figures show an increase in home sales over January 2007. Total units sold in February were 1,053 compared to 670 in January.
Note: Not all new home sales are included in these figures and private home sales are also excluded.


Sunday, April 01, 2007

Status of New Malls in and around Wesley Chapel

The Grove is proceeding as you will see from a recent post of mine. The mega-mall Cypress Creek Town Center is waiting for its permit from the Army Corps of Eng., and the Pasco Town Centre (newest kid on the block) is still in the early process of getting approvals.

The Shops at Wiregrass seems to moving forward, although there are reports that the residential development of Wiregrass appears to be on hold by the developer. Could this be a case of the developer playing hardball with Pasco County as a negotiating ploy?