PASCO COUNTY, Fla. – Tensions among Pasco County residents reached a boiling point during Thursday’s meeting of the Pasco Planning Commission, where frustrations over the Connected City project’s perceived failures dominated the discussion.
The commission voted narrowly to recommend a temporary moratorium on new rezonings within the special planning area, citing the need to address infrastructure concerns, environmental impacts, and deviations from the project’s original vision.
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The moratorium, passed in a 4-3 vote, will pause new development approvals for up to a year while officials revise land development regulations to better align with the project’s stated goals.
The Connected City project, introduced in 2015, was marketed as a sustainable, community-focused development with parks, trails, and recreational amenities. However, residents contend that it has instead become a symbol of overdevelopment, inadequate infrastructure, and broken promises.
At the meeting, residents like Michael Pultorak and David Terino expressed outrage over issues ranging from traffic problems to environmental degradation.
“Traffic’s terrible coming down Elam Road,” Terino said. “You turn on Kenton, and you’re taking a chance of getting killed because people are going 60 miles an hour down a 30-mile-per-hour road. Now you’re talking about putting all these apartments in? All these were supposed to be single-family homes.”
Terino also accused developers of contributing to severe flooding in the area. “My property has been flooded ever since they started developing the land. They’re dumping all the water onto my land,” he said. “I used to only flood during hurricanes. Now, I can’t even dig a hole anymore without it filling up.”
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Pultorak echoed similar concerns, warning that unchecked development could worsen flooding in nearby communities like Lakeside Estates. “The watershed starts on this parcel. If this land is overdeveloped, all that water is going to end up in nearby communities,” he said.
Both residents also criticized the project for failing to deliver promised parks and recreational spaces. “They sold parks as part of Epperson Ranch, but they’re not there for us,” Terino said. “I’m older—I shouldn’t have to go way down to another area for a park. We need parks in our community.”
Following debate, the commission voted to recommend a moratorium on new rezonings within the Connected City planning area. Initially, the motion included a complete halt on all development activity, including building permits and site plans. However, commissioners ultimately refined the scope to focus on future rezonings, ensuring ongoing projects and property owners with approved permits would not be affected.
“This community deserves the parks, open spaces, and thoughtful planning they were promised—not excuses,” Pultorak said.
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Commissioner Jon Moody, who supported the moratorium, emphasized the importance of addressing residents’ concerns. “We need to pause and fix the land development code to ensure it aligns with the promises made to residents,” Moody said.
The recommendation now moves to the Pasco County Board of Commissioners for consideration. If approved, the moratorium will provide a one-year window to address inconsistencies in the comprehensive plan and land development regulations specific to Connected City.
County officials acknowledged that earlier decisions regarding zoning and funding may have contributed to the disconnect between the project’s vision and its current trajectory. However, implementing significant amendments will require time, resources, and community input.
For residents like Terino and Pultorak, the moratorium represents a step toward accountability, but they stress the need for action. “This isn’t about stopping growth—it’s about ensuring that growth happens responsibly,” Terino said. “The people living here deserve better.”
The Connected City project was envisioned as a pioneering development prioritizing sustainability and quality of life. It spans several planned zones, including residential neighborhoods and business hubs, with promises of green spaces and recreational amenities. However, deviations from the original plan have sparked criticism, leaving residents questioning the future of the project and the county’s ability to deliver on its commitments.
With tensions mounting and the moratorium pending final approval, the debate over Connected City underscores broader challenges in managing growth while maintaining public trust.
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