The controversy-plagued East Pasco RV Resort in Florida received its first official approval from the Pasco County Commission this week. This was despite the concerns of residents who claim that the proposed plan isn’t in line with rural development standards the county has set for that area.
The project is planned for 131 acres to the east of Lake Lola Road and south of Blanton Road. The proposed site, as per a report, is located adjacent to Interstate 75 but surrounded by agricultural lands.
The RV park will include 550 RV sites, a clubhouse, two miles of trails, as well as buffers and landscaping.
The plan was initially proposed in 2019 with 675 RV parking spaces, but was reduced after discussions with the community. From the beginning, residents have been against the plan by arguing that the county already has development protections in place to protect the rural atmosphere of the area.
In line with the protections, the county even established a citizens’ advisory committee to offer suggestions on building commercial nodes within the vicinity. However, the county commission disbanded the group last month per Commissioner Ron Oakley’s request, who declared it too negative.
The residents had previously been critical of Oakley for his strong support of the RV project, given that the owner of the property, Vcare Consultants Inc., acquired this property for $1.2 million from the commissioner’s sister Ann Oakley Maggard and her husband Dale Edward Maggard, the brother of state Rep. Randy Maggard (R-Dade City).
Oakley has said previously that he will give the project a fair hearing despite this connection.
Barbara Wilhite and Frances Chandler Marinoan proposed the project. Wilhite was an assistant county attorney when Pasco was preparing its comprehensive plan. She is now a consultant. Meanwhile, Marino is a consultant involved in the rural protection plan for the northeast portion of Pasco County.
Wilhite stated that 48,500 vehicles pass at the interchange of I-75 every day. The applicant also said the RV park would not accommodate full-time residents, and 50% of the land would be open space.
Marino said that the project was in line with the comprehensive growth plan of the county as well as the Northeast Pasco Rural Area Plan.
Residents strongly disagreed that the development is appropriate for the surrounding area.
Marino defended the plan, saying it was in line with the rural area plan she wrote for the county. The plan was conceived to “stop the freight train of low-density residential development” at the time.
The commissioners agreed and were unanimous in their vote to approve the project.
The request to amend the land-use map of the county and growth management plan is the initial step in a commission’s action to approve the entire project. The proposed zoning change will be discussed in April.
Fasten your RV seatbelts, because the commotion in Pasco County isn’t ending anytime soon! Despite the contentious approval, it seems like the battle over the East Pasco RV Resort is far from settling down. Neighbors are gearing up for more spirited discussions over the development’s impact on the area’s rural charm. Looks like this resort might still be in for an unpredictable ride! It’s like watching a real-life drama unfold.
Thank you for sharing. The ongoing discussions in Pasco County are indeed captivating. Stay tuned for more updates. What are your thoughts on the resort’s impact on the community?
Isn’t it cool to see the Pasco RV Resort adapting to community feedback with 550 RV sites? It’s great Commissioner Ron Oakley is listening. Let’s hope for a positive outcome through dialogue!