A Promise Kept?

It was at the end of a long, drawn out day in April when the surprise decision of a 4 to 1 vote on the Hickory Hill subdivision that I committed myself to do a bit of campaigning for the odd-Commissioner out-of-line with the rest. Each of our mouths dropped at the end of the hearing. A bit of anger and a swelling of the eyes and a promise was made.

There’s no secret who this Hernando County Commissioner is. So much so that I really don’t have to spell out the name or the gender.

So, when the time came a couple of months ago to act upon that my commitment, The Commissioner verified that I was “the guy who writes blogs” and the inquiry as to what I was willing to do for the re-election. What else could I say but “Write”. Not exactly what The Commissioner had anticipated. I got the impression my point was mute. I silently agreed with The Commissioner’s tone that I was being shamefully shy in acting on my commitment.

But… since that conversation, I have followed The Commissioner’s very own style of promoting a victory next month on Election Day 2008. A very important day indeed on every level of voter decision-making. You gotta check the right box on the ballot or forever hold your foolish mark on the future.

So, what have I been up to over the past weeks? As has been reported, The Commissioner’s tactics are simple. Talk friend-to-friend, neighbor-to-neighbor and acquaintance-to- acquaintance about the wise choice(s) that I have made for voting on the three up-for-grabs Commissioner seatings. Who of the candidates will place their butts on the Board for the next four year? We shall see how the voting goes… with anticipation.

Each of my conversations leads to the decisions that have been made at the Hernando County Government Center over the past two, too long years. Not just Hickory Hill, but the other approved subdivisions of Lake Hideaway and Sunrise. Build, build, build for as far as the future can be seen. Not one of the people I’ve talked to were aware that amid this period of known reduction in property taxes and what I view as giving away of infrastructure moneys (impact fees) to accommodate the proliferation of daunting home building.

Not one of these voters can understand what the rush has been to pass, pass, pass the land use hearings that will lead to Hernando County through another phase of employment opportunities dependent on construction jobs, lawn maintenance careers and incomes that will assure the success of retail stores for at least the next two decades - mediocre salaries. It's no secret to me that the developers were well aware of changes that would be more costly to their enterprises at the expence and suprise to taxpayers - hidden costs.

I should hope The Commissioner views my efforts as positive re-enforcements for the re-election bid against the “droozly” opponent.

Here’s an exercise at solving an anagram. Re-arrange the letters ADDEEINNORW. Clue: it's a synonym of MAVERICK. Not the Republican kind, though.

Getting Malled

I understand that on Tuesday, Oct. 14, the Hernando County Planning & Zoning Commission approved that Board of County Commissioners the opportunity to further review a request of H. R. Hernando LLP to instill in the County a 57-acre shopping center in the vicinity of I-75 and SR 50. It is to be named Nature Coast Commons.

The unanimous decision came of no surprise since the request was “consistent” with the current master plan and zoning requirements. So it goes and let it be.

I did a little Googling and found nothing on H. R. Hernando LLP, although Nature Coast Commons immediately referred me to a web site that told me the project intends to splatter the east side of the County with anchor stores that include Best Buy, JC Penney (gotta love ‘em), Office Depot and Ross Dress For Less, among others.

Blue blazers shot before my eyes. Here we go again: the big box mentality is “in consistency” with what goes on around this town.

There are no enticements that will prompt me to grace those acres and acres of another blimp of a larger-than-usual strip mall. I won’t go there any more than I frequent all those retail stores that proliferate the rest of Hernando County.

I want a mall! Right there just off I-75 on Hwy 50 where the SunCoast Toll Road to Tampa would entice shoppers from surrounding areas. Just as tourist dollars from non-residents are cream on the topping of county funds, it could have been a small gold mine.

As is the common practice of shopping in the County, it sends me spending time traipsing from one store to another in the heat of summer, the short periods of chills in the air in our winter wonderland and the sometimes-inclement stormy weather of spring, summer and hurricane seasons.

The creeks don’t rise and the rivers don’t flow in this fair County, but the numbers of strip malls continue to grow!

I want to be malled! No waste of gas, time and the aggravations of going here, there and somewhere else. I want the convenience of entering one REALLY BIG box that provides a leisurely stroll along the storefronts that are side-by-side and across from each other. I want a place where I can see more people of a variety than I can imagine. Adults, young adults, kids, toddlers and, yes, senior citizens. Families together and family members cruising stores of each of their singular interests. Groups of elderly people strolling together on days when there are fewer shoppers for a peaceful period of mild exercise. These are signs of life as we should view it.

You may say, lump it, leave it, just don’t peeve it! Fed up in Hernando? Not quite yet. Now is not the time to expect a quick or even lengthy time period of selling a home, although it’s a dandy period to purchase a home elsewhere.

Elderly relatives in Zephyr Hills are of primary concern. Their minds are well but their aching bodies foretell the inevitable. I don’t desert loved ones.

I blame government officials and business leaders for the spreads of ever-growing unoccupied homes, and those not yet built on Hickory Hill, Sunrise and Lake Hideaway. They’ve done their best to boxed us in with small town decisions. I’d like to take each of these people and box their ears, one by one. This is no threat of bodily harm, just an upside down euphemism strewn with sarcasm. What a good humor man, I am!

Cases in point: a shopping center in the vicinity of Spring Hill Drive and the SunCoast-Tampa Toll Road, was to be named “Shoppes of Spring Hill” but changed to “SunCoast Crossing” this past April to better identify the location along the toll road. Or to distance the 53-acre tract from local identification? That’s kind of impersonal.

I suppose the remaining location for a mall in Hernando County would be along County Line Road off the SunCoast, although chance would put a Wal-Mart there.

If we can’t attract a developer to build Masaryktown Mall, another chance would bring about Pasco County Mall… in another county.

For the time being I’ll continue to walk among the shops at the Gulf View Mall… in another county. Or, for a less congested, less red light-infested journey, I can head to the Crystal River Mall… in another county. One trip – one parking spot. Two choices... not in Hernando County.

Any guesses where I’ll do my primary Holiday shopping?

Now, That's A Lot of Lots!

The implications will be long in coming. The long term promises that it will, in part, attract a diversified, higher paid workforce and a better quality of life than any other period of history in Hernando County may never be realized. As a matter of fact, those same promises may be of less impact than the costs of supporting the needs that will result from of its development. Fortunately, whatever concerns there may be at this point in time will have little or no affect for a quarter of a century. By then, another generation of residents will have spent their allotted time on Earth, leaving the financial obligations to today’s infants and those not yet born.

To most residents in Hernando County, April 26, 2007, was pretty much an uneventful day, nothing out of the ordinary. Even without verification, it can pretty much be assumed to have been a pleasant day – Florida winter temperatures were gone and the intense heat of summer were a couple months away. No doubt, there were no rain showers that day due to drought conditions. The intensity of wallowing through the 2008 county budget process was a number of months away, not that the hearings had anything to do with the decision made in April.

Decisions, decisions…

Recent data indicate there are so many cleared, yet not built on, lots in Hernando County, many of which were built during the last of the investor-happy years and never occupied, that it might take 11 years to warrant new single-family construction. This compares to 4 to 5 years each for Hillsboro, Pinellas and Pasco Counties. Citrus County is looking at 42 years of blighted construction.

Developers can’t be entirely blamed any more than real estate agents. Commissioners in each county deserve the finger that points their way. They are entrusted to provide the basic, immediate social and economic well being of their residents. The higher level of government, the less oversight and importance are given, especially when “residents” become referred to as “citizens”.

I should hope that that common man or woman would agree that community leaders who approve development to such an extent that it would take years and years to reach completion, but continue to approve additional building requests, have other interests than that of the individuals he or she was elected to represent.

Tomorrow, tomorrow…

When Sierra Properties claimed victory for the approval of its Hickory Hill subdivision in April 2007, it seemed there were too few individuals in the commission’s chamber stuttering sentences that began with “Who….?” “How…?” and “Why…?”

All of a sudden the whole atmosphere changed before my senses. It wasn’t like the Twilight Zone or the Outer Limits or Night Gallery. It was one of those Tales From the Darkside. It was a tale of unreality, where everything becomes a series of what appears to be the black and white of negative exposures with colors taking on such unnatural hews that their descriptions are lost in gray matter. I’m still not sure if realtor Rose was doing an overly enthusiastic at rubbing lotion on her hands or wringing them in sinister delight for the brew that was dished up that day with the eventual 4 to 1 decision.

Nonetheless, in addition to the possibility it will actually take 11 years to build on currently vacant lots, there are also nearly 4,000 empty homes in Hernando County, some of which were investor-built, not yet sold and occupied, and others from foreclosure. There are also an unknown number of homeowners hoping to sell their value-declining home with intentions to move elsewhere. These facts and figures indicate it will be a very, very long time between now and when additional land use hearings are given consideration for residential construction.

The next construction binge has already been approved three-times over. Hickory Hill, Sun Rise and Lake Hideaway have a total of over 10,000 lots not yet cleared. Now, that’s a lot of planning for the future! By the time new housing is needed, these will be the very developments that will bring residential construction back to prominence.

In the meantime, county commissioners will have more time to spend on how to spend less and less taxpayer contributions toward a dwindling budget that will never pay for the level and quality of services that residents will have to do without. Unfortunately, this isn’t something they had planned on.

The Impact of Hideaway Impact Fees

Its no surprise that I'm one of those who agree that 4-1 decision to make Lake Hideaway the next residential development site at a questionable time. The rationale of the vote is further in question because, as reported in the January 16th edition of Hernando Today, “Shaky Economy Halts Talks of Impact Fee Hike”. As it stands, Hideaway lots will bring in less in impact fees than if a delay in the decision had been considered to lessen the impact of more development and the accompanying stresses on the County infrastructure.

County government is lackadaisical in following the basic principle of making profitable economic decisions: make money and don’t give away freebees. It will cost more in taxpayer moneys to provide county services than what will be gained from property taxes. I should think Commissioner Dave Russell, local businessman, would give more thoughtful guidance for the best return on the County's property investments. There was no reason for the Commission to rush the approval of another development; it's come to be known as The Lake Hideaway Giveaway.

The estimated 2,400 homes and 1,300 townhouses on 886 acres at The Hideaway will be more than twice the 1,750 homes on 280 prime acres atop Hickory Hill but not nearly as numerous as the 4,800 residential units and 75 motel rooms on 1,385 acres in the adjacent Sunrise subdivision.

Lest we not forget the 365,000 square feet of retail space at Sunrise and the planned 50,000 sq ft of retail at The Hideaway. The Hill is the only exception, but where there are more people, there are more retail stores with more low paid employees. The average yearly income of a worker in the Hernando is about $28,000 – in the Tampa area the figure jumps to $38,000. The ratio of affordability is not that much of a difference.

So, where will these homeowners work to afford the $150,000 to $350,00 homes at Lake Hideaway? They will have to commute to some destination outside the county. Already, 34% of working people in the county are employed elsewhere.

Commissioner Rowden might find some solace with the token $370,000 set aside for affordable housing, even though the “state formula” indicates it isn’t required in this new development. Her quest for “affordable workforce housing” will have to wait for another day; it’s an elusive pipedream no matter where people live in Florida.

Perhaps of more importance than all else, take into consideration that at the 2007 Hernando County Economic Summit a goal was set to add 10,000 new homes by the year 2025. Since last April, when Hickory Hill was approved, 10,250 units have been approved. On an imaginary grade scale, the Board gets an A-plus for exceeding the goal but Commissioner Rowden, the sole dissenter in each case, brings a suggested FCAT score to a very poor rating.

Tally Ho!

A little upset, annoyed, frightful or just plain in disbelief that our County Commissioners approved yet another mega subdivision to include 3,700 new living units at what will surely become a builder’s showcase during an upcoming Parade of Homes?

Get used to it!

A year ago, at the Economic Summit meeting of local officials, community leaders and influential business operatives, there was mention that a goal of 10,000 new homes were targeted for growth in Hernando County by year 2025.

Since last April, Hickory Hill, Sunrise and now Lake Hideaway have easily passed through the welcome doors of county development. A quick tally shows figures of 1,750 exquisite homes at the Hickory Hill site; 4,800 homes (plus 75 motel rooms) at sister-site Sunrise; and now Lake Hideaway with 3,700 homes. The simple mathematic equation totals 10,250 builder and real estate broker dreams of profitability.

This figure surpasses the original goal, so I guess on an imaginary grade scale commissioners deserve an A-plus. Poor Commissioner Diane Rowden, the sole dissenter in each case, brings a suggested FCAT score to a poor rating. You can imagine that local politicians would like to boot the lady out of office this November (if she sustains the nomination in the August primaries) and implant a more accommodating yes-man or woman.

The number of acres to be claimed for the three residential subdivisions is roughly 2,550 or a quarter acre of homeowner property.

None of these figures include other developments that had already been given a stamp of approval. Southern Hills may be the poster child of builders’ woes because demand doesn’t accommodate supply.

I foresee other homes to be given consideration in the next two years. There will be a likely rush of land use hearings in anticipation of voter approval of the Florida Hometown Democracy initiative in November 2010 to put the choice of development in the hands of local residents.

So, dear reader, be forewarned that a Master Plan, most likely dictated by Tallahassee politicians, will bring forth an array of new homes sites throughout Hernando County.

Lake Hideaway

The headline was foreseeable with the County Commission’s 4-1 approval of the Lake Hideaway project. There’s room to grow the county population so let it be. Commissioner Diane Rowden’s sole dissenting vote was also predictable. When will she learn she can’t buck the system; it works the other way around.

The estimated 2,400 homes and 1,300 townhouses on 886 acres at The Hideaway will be more than twice the 1,750 homes on 280 prime acres atop Hickory Hill but not nearly as numerous as the 4,800 residential units, 75 motel rooms, on 1,385 acres in the adjacent Sunrise subdivision.

Lest we not we forget the 365,000 square feet of retail space at Sunrise and the planned 50,000 sq ft of retail of The Hideaway. The Hill has a special exemption, but where there are more people, there are more retail stores. And more employees at those stores. The average yearly income of a worker in the County is $28,000 – in the Tampa area the figure jumps to $38,000. The difference will widen as those minimum wage jobs continue to proliferate in Hernando.

How nice the Board of County Commissioners required developers of The Hideaway to provide a 20-acre park. But the park will be in the confines of the subdivision! Dagnabit, what’s the sense in that when that part of the County could sorely use a park accessible to all?

Commissioner Rowden might find some solace with the token $370,000 set aside for affordable housing, even though the “state formula” indicates it isn’t required in this development. Her quest for affordable “workforce” housing will have to wait for another day; it’s an elusive pipedream no matter where people live in Florida.

So, where will these homeowners work to afford the $150,000 to $350,00 homes? The population is allowed to grow but what about higher paying jobs? The lack of diversity of employment opportunities will increase the 34% of local workers to job locations beyond the county borders.

Somewhere along the way of development in Hernando County, someone needs to step up the process to entice a broader range of businesses. Local schools are expanding curriculums with technical classes but those graduates won’t find many of jobs here locally.

I recently gave up cable TV for dish service. There’s no high definition of government proceedings so I won’t miss the characters on their poor rendition of a reality show.

This keyboard is beginning to typer-ventilate, so let me be done and go about my way visiting what will eventually be left of Hernando County’s Nature Coast.