Saturday, October 14, 2006

Wiregrass Ranch Community in New Tampa / Wesley Chapel hits another snag!

Jeesh! The Wiregrass Ranch development in Wesley Chapel has had so much controversy, it is a bit hard to believe that there is now something new to add!

Previously, there was controversy because the Pasco School District was expecting them to extend S.R. 56 for access to the the new Middle School and Wiregrass High School. Apparently they had a "Mexican standoff", because abruptly the school district decided to temporarily route the bus line through Meadow Pointe. The Middle school is now open, and Wiregrass High is expected to open in January. The extension of S.R. 56 is not yet in place.

Also, for months the County has been saying that they require a traffic study of the proposed Wiregrass community; and to my knowledge up to this point still have not received it.

About two months ago, the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council told the developers of Wiregrass that they needed to increase affordable housing to offset the high volume of high end homes it plans to build there.

Now, in response apparently, Wiregrass has offered the County $250,000. to "meet its obligations" for affordable housing in a planned community slated to have 12,000 homes!

Under the county's new comprehensive growth plan, developers are required to set aside homes for affordable housing, but it appears that the number/quantity required to satisfy that remains unclear. Surely more than one house in 12,000 though!

The Laker reported that Pasco County officials laughed at the $250,000 proposal by Wiregrass developers! A representative from Pasco Co.'s long range planning division was quoted as saying that $5 million would be closer to their expectations. Perhaps Wiregrass should send a representative to Howie Mandel's show DEAL OR NO DEAL!

Tune in for the continuing saga of the Wiregrass Ranch community.

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