PASCO COUNTY, Fla. – Residents voiced their frustrations and concerns about the Connected City Development project during the Pasco County Board of County Commissioners meeting on Tuesday.
The Connected City project, first conceptualized in 2015, was billed as a forward-thinking community emphasizing health, wellness, and sustainability. The master plan included features such as parks, community gardens, farmers’ markets, vibrant public spaces, and integration with local schools. Residents contend that the current state of the project is a stark departure from these goals.
The meeting highlighted mounting dissatisfaction with aspects of the large-scale project, including flooding issues and deviations from planning guidelines.
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Lisa Moretti, a resident of Dade City, highlighted the challenges posed by recent flooding in areas affected by the project. She urged the board to reconsider its reliance on Southwest Florida Water Management District (Swiftmud) standards for flood mitigation, which she argued do not account for changing weather patterns.
Moretti called for updated standards, potentially modeled after those used by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), to better protect communities like Connerton and Morningside, which continue to face flooding issues.
She also criticized developers for failing to adhere to county-mandated guidelines, creating what she described as “reckless development.”
Moretti emphasized the need for greater accountability and enforcement from both the county and its planning office, despite acknowledging the planning office’s responsiveness to residents’ concerns.
The Connected Residents Group criticized the county’s failure to adhere to the legislative and planning commitments established in 2015.
“Half of your principles are based on health, wellness, outdoor parks, and meeting spaces—living a healthier lifestyle,” Michael Pultorak, representing the Pasco County Connected Residents Group said. “This was in the MPUD (Master Planned Unit Development), and it was sold to residents and the county as a transformative project. Unfortunately, what we’re seeing now tells a different story.”
One major area of concern is the evolution of the Employment-Oriented Development (EOD) district. Originally planned as a hub for high-tech businesses and innovation, Pultorak says the 965-acre zone is now being advertised as a massive industrial and distribution center, including plans for 5.5 million square feet of industrial facilities, 2.5 million square feet of which will be dedicated to distribution, and compared it to a truck stop.
Pultorak also pointed out that two innovation zones initially meant to foster community and technological growth have instead become areas focused on recreational pools. “This is not the innovative, integrated community we were promised,” he said.
He emphasized the importance of the remaining parcel of land, known as Tall Timbers, which they believe is the last viable location for a district park—a cornerstone of the community hub outlined in the MPUD. This park would serve as a central gathering place and fulfill the project’s original intent of connecting the development zones.
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“Tall Timbers is the last piece of land that could bring the community hub to life and align with the original vision,” Pultorak explained. “It connects three districts directly and could serve as the bridge uniting the entire development.”
Pultorak argued that the lack of alignment with the MPUD’s principles would result in poor scores if evaluated by external oversight agencies, such as those issuing annual reports to the state.
“Instead of an urban core, we have a multi-million-dollar County Fleet Management Facility and a truck oil-change station,” Pultorak noted. “This is not what was promised, and it’s not what we should accept.”
Pultorak and the Connected Residents Group urged the commissioners to take action, preserve the remaining green space, and ensure the project adheres to its intended purpose. “
“We are not against growth or progress,” Pultorak emphasized. “We want to see it done responsibly, with the community’s vision and values at the forefront.”
As the Connected City project continues to evolve, residents are demanding transparency and adherence to the promises made nearly a decade ago. The Pasco County Board of County Commissioners has yet to respond directly to the concerns raised but is expected to revisit the issues as part of ongoing project oversight.
For now, the Connected Residents Group remains committed to advocating for the integrity of the development, standing as a collective voice for a community seeking to balance growth with livability and sustainability.
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