Hanna and Sunset Drainage Improvements

Using the following tool from Hillsborough County, I have located information about drainage improvements to Hanna Rd and Sunset Lanes.

CIP Number:	46132012
Start Date:	01-JUN-2008	End Date:	05-JUL-2013
Project Name:	Sunset Ln and Hanna Rd Drainage Improvement	Program:	Stormwater
Sub-Program:	Stormwater Construction	Sub-Sub Program:	Major Neighborhood Drainage Improvements Program FY08-13
CIE Level of Service:	To Be Assigned	Urban Service Area:	No
Estimated Cost:	$308,400
Project Description:	Const 18" crossdrain at low point of road, then pipe west to Hanna Rd. then north  to point near finger of lake (approx. 150’), then pipe into lake.  Alt. – const pipe and swale system (approx. 1400’) along south R/W to crossdrain into Hanna Lake This is a sub-project of the over-arching 46132 Major Neighborhood Drainage Improvements Program FY08-13. This sub-project deals specifically w/ Sunset Ln and Hanna Rd intersection.
Contact:	Contact us

CIP Number:	46131014
Start Date:	01-OCT-2013	End Date:	30-DEC-2016
Project Name:	Hanna Road Drainage Improvements	Program:	Stormwater
Sub-Program:	Stormwater Construction	Sub-Sub Program:	Minor Neighborhood Drainage Improvements Program FY08-13
CIE Level of Service:	To Be Assigned	Urban Service Area:	No
Estimated Cost:	$105,000
Project Description:	Construct inlet and pipe to drainage system on Sunset Lane.  Obtain easement and pipe west to pond. This is a sub-project of the over-arching 46131 Minor Neighborhood Drainage Improvements Program FY08-13. This sub-project deals specifically w/ Hanna Rd.

Other area stormwater and road improvement projects:

CIP Number:	46131067
Start Date:	30-APR-2010	End Date:	08-FEB-2014
Project Name:	San Rio Circle Drainage Improvement	Program:	Stormwater
Sub-Program:	Stormwater Construction	Sub-Sub Program:	Minor Neighborhood Drainage Improvements Program FY08-13
CIE Level of Service:	To Be Assigned	Urban Service Area:	No
Estimated Cost:	$240,723
Project Description:	Culvert under road. This is a sub-project of the over-arching 46131 Minor Neighborhood Drainage Improvements Program FY08-13. This sub-project deals specifically w/ San Rio Circle

CIP Number:	46133158
Start Date:	01-OCT-2012	End Date:	31-OCT-2013
Project Name:	17732 Morninghigh Dr Culvert Replacement Project	Program:	Stormwater
Sub-Program:	Stormwater Construction	Sub-Sub Program:	Culvert Replacement Program FY08-13
CIE Level of Service:		Urban Service Area:	No
Estimated Cost:	$60,000
Project Description:	This is a sub-project of the over-arching  46133 Culvert Replacement Program. This sub-project deals specifically w/ 17732 Morninghigh Dr . Slip line 160' of 18"cmp from headwall at pond to curb inlet at road side.

CIP Number:	69046046
Start Date:	01-SEP-2012	End Date:	30-SEP-2012
Project Name:	Cypress Cove Road Resurfacing	Program:	Transportation
Sub-Program:	To Be Assigned	Sub-Sub Program:	NA
CIE Level of Service:		Urban Service Area:	No
Estimated Cost:	$87,449
Project Description:	This is a sub-project of the over-arching 69046 Pavement Treatment Program. Rehabilitation of existing County roads via asphalt and other specified methods. Geographical limits of work are as follows. Street From To CYPRESS COVE RD DEAD END CYPRESS COVE LN CYPRESS COVE RD CYPRESS COVE LN

Nye Park NOT to be closed

When I read the Gates High School transcripts, I saw the following:

"There's a connectivity to Nye Park. One of the things that we're hoping to do isto maybe reach an agreement with the County Parks in order to keep Nye Park open, because I understand it's going to be closed because of funding."

I contacted Hillsborough County Parks Dept and received the following reply:

"Nye is not going to be closed, in fact, none of our Hillsborough County Parks are closing. Nye is a well-used community park with a use agreement with the Lutz Leagurettes for softball, agreements with the Hillsborough County School Board for adult education, we have homeschoolers using the facility and the building is available for rental and other community use. The only changes that are coming are improvements to the fields for the Leagurettes.

If there are ever any changes in use that are proposed by the county, we will host public meetings for comment before any other use is considered."

Yay!

Gates High School Zoning Hearing Transcript

If you missed the hearing, here are the transcripts

Gates Hearing Transcripts

Lutz Memorial Park

Lutz has a Memorial Park at 19000 US 41 corner Lutz Lake Fern 

There are several features.

A three side obelisk with the following 3 plaques

 

In Memory of Those Who Served

 To Honor Those Who Now Serve

 Our Gratitude to Those Who Will Serve

Next to the obeslisk is a flag pole

 with the following flag

In Memory of Ben Neve
17- January 1919 - 21 November 1967

Lutz Citizens League for the Bicentennial Celebration

On the south side of the park is a Memorial building with another flag pole nearby

The flag pole has a plaque

In Memory of Those Who Served

Ladies Auxiliary
To The
Veterans of Foreign Wars
Post 4932
Dedicated
November 11, 1999

Lutz Community Plan

The Lutz Community Plan has been referenced to in the Gates High School issue.

However trying to get details of the plan requires some digging.

An overview is provided on the Planning Commission Site.   Information about with recent meetings can be found here.  The most current version is here.  Archives with more maps and prior meetings and other documentation is found here.  A large foldable brochure is here


Lutz Community Plan Vision:
The Lutz community appreciates and welcomes things that create the “feeling” or “image” of openness. Residents have a strong sense of their heritage and history, and want to remain in touch with natural systems, wildlife and the environment.

“Lutz will continue to be a community whose citizens treasure open spaces over urban or suburban form. We appreciate and welcome things that create the “feeling” or “image” of openness. We have a strong sense of our heritage and history, and will remain in touch with natural systems, wildlife and the environment. We also have a strong sense of independence and individuality, and will work hard to preserve our lifestyle with less dependence on governmental control and regulations.

We will also work to support more local, small businesses, while accepting the trade-off of traveling beyond Lutz for major goods and services. Lutz architecture will be diverse within a broad theme, and residential development will not be accomplished with conventional subdivisions.”

Lutz Community Plan Boundaries - outlined in red

The Entire Plan is below

Lutz Community Planning Area Adopted Cp With Proposed Changes

Lutz Brochure Version 10 Fnl

Where In Lutz - The Preaching Goose

The Last Post of Where in Lutz was "Otter Carving".  That carving is located on Hanna Avenue south of Sunset, just south of the creek, at the corner of Julie Lagoon.

The next "Where in Lutz" features the Preaching Goose.  Can you guess where the Goose performs those sermons? I'm very curious as to it's history and if the goose has a name.

Gates High School - A reader's letter to BC Mannion

I was forwarded the following letter sent to Lutz Community News:


Dear Ms. Manion,

After reading your article in the Lutz News, May 23, 2012, I am very disappointed that your headline is inaccurate and that you did not point out one objection to the school until your jump on page 13.

The headline should read "Lutz Objects to the LOCATION of the School (not the school itself)." I realize that there is only so much space on the front page, but it all went to the supposed advantages of the school and only on page 13 do you talk about the realistic concerns to the project by people who truly understand the community, traffic flow and impact on the environment.

In addition to the obvious traffic nightmare the location of this school will create, people should know that the Gates school seems to have no qualms about swapping roosters (they keep touting how they house fowl on their premises) for red-tailed hawks, owls, woodpeckers, egrets and herons that will no longer have a sanctuary. Yes, thatʼs it in a nutshell — letʼs all gather 'round to hear the clucking and crowing rather than appreciate all sorts of wading, migrating and nesting birds that find refuge here. Really?

During my phone interview with you, I also told you about the accident we were the victims of 5 or 6 years ago on a slow weekend afternoon while we were sitting on Sunset Lane in line for the light to change at Hwy. 41. We were several cars back from the light. Let me reiterate -- a young man driving his motherʼs car barreled into us. He said he was distracted by people on the side of this narrow country road on which we were all stopped. After he hit us, we hit the car in front of us and so on. Ultimately three cars were hit from behind, all stationary.

Then I told you about the ridiculous length of time it took to clear the scene of the accident due to the narrowness of Sunset Lane, a 2-lane country road with a narrow sidewalk on only one side — this is the same road that will supposedly be able to cope with the cars needed to transfer a potential 1,000 students to and from a school or schools without widening the street.

I regret that during your call I was only able to tell you that traffic was backed up a very long way and was unable to specify the number of feet although you asked me repeatedly to define the distance. Perhaps this is why you did not use this example of mayhem in your article.

I also told you about the numerous near collisions we see all the time where the entrance to the Winn Dixie/post office plaza on the south side of Sunset Lane meets the entrance to the Walgreens on the north side. These are right across from each other immediately after turning off of Hwy. 41. The congestion and confusion at these entrances is more evidence of poor planning with which we have all had to live. There is also a zero tolerance for pedestrians and bicyclists in the area, so if either happens to be trying to cross the road anywhere on Sunset, let alone near the plaza, he does so at his own peril. If a bicyclist is riding on the road, traffic does not have adequate room to move around him safely although some people try. These are the conditions as they exist today. If we add school traffic to the mix, there will most certainly be irreparable consequences that could have been prevented.

In addition, in response to Colleen Krukʼs perspective as quoted in your article, her view does not represent any people we know that live in this neighborhood or otherwise. Her idea of settling for the school location just to ensure the land is not destroyed in a worse way in the future is inexplicable and represents a willingness to accept what is given to you even though you know itʼs wrong because you fear the consequences. This is not the attitude of the community as we know it, and certainly not mine.

Cathryn Greene

Gates High School - email from reader

An email from a reader: Yesterday, I read the Manion piece in the Lutz News regarding the rezoning land use hearing for the Lutz School. It was a very fair article giving representation of pros and cons.  Our property backs up onto the Weekley property that Girard wants to buy.  We have attended almost all of the presentations that Learning Gate has had for the community. Originally, Patti Girard proposed a school for 500 children with the entrance off Hwy 41 and only an emergency entrance off Sunset.  However, I see that she has grown her plans to suit herself, much like the old story of the camel who came into the tent. He pleaded with his owner to let him just warm his nose and by the end of the story the owner was the one sitting out in the cold. I feel that Girard has been talking out of both sides of her mouth. She says how much she cares about the wilderness but yet has plans to destroy alot of it when it suits her needs. Her plans are grandiose but do not fit on this site. It is like a plus size person trying to fit small clothes.  I have no problem with any educational facilities, but do your homework and make sure it is done right.

Gates High School - Executive Director Comments Post Hearing

Comments regarding the Gates High School Zoning Hearing and School Status by Executive Director Patti Girard from the website.

Of note is that if the zoning goes through, here are their plans:

We are ready to begin the pre-development process as soon as we get approval. We still have a couple months of site approval by the building department. After our permits areapproved we are hoping to break ground sometime in the fall.

We have continued to solidify more partnerships. The Florida Aquarium has agreed to working with our students and offering internships at the aquarium for interested students. Beck, who will be designing and building the school, is also on board for internships.

We continue to develop partnerships with entities that will be of interest to our students.

We are in the very early stages of our “School Raising” which will take place in the spring and summer of 2013. We have a parent, who has agreed to take on this huge project. There will be ample opportunities for everyone to volunteer over the next year as we build Phase One of our high school.

Our 1st community service project will be to adopt Sunset Lane. Kris Smith has coordinated the road cleanup at LG and will be happy to talk with anyone interested in doing the same for GATES. She can be reached at 813-948-4190
Here is the entire letter:
GATES Update May2012

Gates High School - NEWGenerator Wastewater Recycler

One of the interesting tidbits to come out of the Gates High School  issue is the NEWGenerator created by Dr. Daniel Yeh.  Dr.Yeh is an Associate Professor of Civil & Environmental Engineering at University of South Florida.

NEW stands for (N)utrients, (E)nergy, and (W)ater. A pilot plant is to be placed at Gates High School and will recycle wastewater from the school.  The water obtained will be used for irrigation.

From the Tampa Bay Times "Yeh's model, which uses microbes to break down the icky stuff, is different than typical wastewater treatments because it recoups what other methods cast off. Byproducts such as nitrogen and phosphorous can be used as fertilizers. The clean water is used for irrigation.

Additionally, Yeh's contraption requires little energy — rather, it creates energy as methane gas."

 MSNBC also featured a story.




More information can be found at Dr. Yeh's tumblr site

"No School On Sunset Lane" Meeting

An email I received:

Dear fellow Sunset Lane neighbor,

"No School on Sunset Lane" will be holding an informational meeting at Nye Park on Saturday May, 19, at 4:00pm.

Anyone who opposes this 180,000 sq/ft school complex being built on Sunset Lane is invited.

We will explain this issue's current status and the next step in our opposition to it.

Remember, this is NOT about Learning Gate itself. It IS about them wanting to build on a two-lane rural road which is already operating beyond its design capacity.

Our primary concerns are the significantly negative impact this will have on:
 - traffic on Sunset Lane
 - our beautifully pristine natural wetlands
 - potable water supply
 - the leasing of Nye Park by Learning Gate

We are also concerned about this new Learning Gate school being the first "field test" of an experimental process for turning HUMAN WASTE into potable water.

NOW is the time to stand up for YOUR community and our rural way of life.

Regards,

Mike White

The Great Lutz Guv'na Debate

From the Lutz Civic Association's newsletter the Lutz Civic Review:
****************************************************************************
We now have four ambitious souls who will vie for the honor of becoming the next Guv’na of Lutz. The Great Debate will be held on Saturday, May 19 from 2:00 until 4:00 p.m. at the Old Lutz School on Highway 41. The debate will include the Lutz Lie Detector test, candidate contests, food, and the presentation of prizes to the winners.

Connie Dorton, domestic diva and crown princess of her humble abode in Lutz, has achieved all of her childhood dreams except that of becoming Guv’na. She is eminently qualified to be Guv’na, due to the fact that she supports local businesses by shopping as often as possible, which is why she has a collection of nearly everything there is to own, including her prized Rolling Stones pinball machine. She also has a stylish regal parade wave, much like that of Queen Elizabeth.

But, candidate Karin D’Amico may be able to introduce Connie to a whole new world of collectibles because, as a member of the Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Women’s Club and the Little Women, she spends much of her free time helping host their flea markets and sales. It’s easy to fill your trunk with great Flea Market Junque! In fact, Karin may host her own flea market for a Guv’na campaign fund fun-raiser.

And Connie could also spend money at Philly Cream of Tampa, owned by candidate Brian Vindick. By the way, he could also use a care package consisting of a Lutz t-shirt because, as a world traveler who now lives in Lutz, he sometimes sleepwalks at night and tries to make his way to the Liberty Bell. At other times, thinking he’s in Tampa, he wanders into the kitchen looking for the famed Ybor City chicken.

Candidate Robin LeBlanc also has things to sell besides behavior training for your pet dog, ‘gator, chicken, ex-husband, etc. She has a walking stick which looks at you, rolling its eyes much like teens do. At least it doesn’t stay out late at parties or talk back. She also grows her own onions, complete with built-in little breath mints, which are available for sale. Brian may add them to his menu, because they would lend some Lutz pizzaz to those Philly hot dogs.

And Robin is the only candidate who has genuine Lutz cow patties for sale. These are great for Frisbee tossing, not to mention fertilizing. They are produced by her gentle bull, Hershey.

And, speaking of bull, mark your calendars for the Great Guv’na Debate on the 19th. Y’all be there!

For more information contact the LCA at info@TheLutzCivicAssociation.org

Lutz Civic Association Updated Information

I received an email today from Ardyth Bahr Treasurer of Lutz Civic Association. It included a copy of the LCA newsletter "Lutz Civic Review."

The LCA has a new website URL that is in the process of being updated. The new address is http://www.thelutzcivicassociation.org.  Note the "the" in front of the LCA name.  The old address does not have "the".   The new site is better than the old one.

The new email address to reach LCA is  info@TheLutzCivicAssociation.org

To join LCA click here.

More details from the email:
*********************************************************************
LCA General Membership Meeting
Splash! Restaurant, Thursday, May 17, 2012 at 7:00 p.m.
*Great Guv’na Debate
*Addressing community issues
*Officer and Board selection
*Coffee and conversation

The public is invited to attend our next general membership meeting. Bring your neighbors.

We thought it would be fun to hold some general membership meetings at area restaurants where the atmosphere would be relaxed. The first such meeting was held on April 19 at Hot Rod’s BBQ at Livingston and Sunset Roads in Lutz. There was a perfect spot on the patio where a tasty buffet had been prepared for our members and guests. Those who arrived hungry could purchase a meal of pulled pork, wings and sides for only $5. We thank Rod and his staff for keeping us comfortable and well fed.

The next general membership meeting will be held at Splash! at Dale Mabry and Van Dyke, on the patio if weather permits. Coffee and soft drinks will be furnished by the LCA. If you choose to have a bite to eat, they have a great steak special for only $10 on Thursday. The meeting begins at 7:00 p.m., with a brief board meeting to be held beforehand at 6:15 p.m.

**
The proposed rezoning for a new high school and middle school to be located near Sunset and Highway 41 is under consideration and a hearing will take place on 5/14/12 at 6:00 p.m. at the County Center. Any neighbors who have information about the results of the hearing may bring up the subject at the general membership meeting or contact members listed below.

Gates High School - 5/14/12 Master Zoning Hearing Results

I did not attend the meeting but was told a decision will be made in 15 days.

There will not be a County Commission Hearing after this as this is a Special Use Permit.

From the Zoning Site:

The Hearing Officer shall file a recommendation or final decision for each application on June 4, 2012. 


For Special Use (SU) applications the decision of the Hearing Officer is final. The decision of the Hearing Officer may be appealed to the Land Use Appeals Board. An appeal of the Hearing Officer's decision must be filed with the Hillsborough County Development Services Department no later than 30 calendar days from the final decision date. 


Please call 276-2006 for further information. 


 The Land Use Hearing Officer Public Hearing is for Special Use Permit Requests, Variance Requests and Appeals of Administrative Decisions. 


 Today's hearing is the time for all interested citizens to present evidence and 'testimony. This evidence and testimony will be the only evidence subject to review by the appeal board if an appeal is filed. This means that, at the end of today's Public Hearing, the record closes and no new evidence may be submitted as part of the record. 


Any decision of the Land Use Hearing Officer, except those made regarding Administrative Decisions, may be appealed to the appeal board. The appeal board will only consider the Land Use Hearing Officer's decision and the record of the public hearing in making a final decision on petitions. The hearing shall be limited to the record on appeal and shall consist of oral argument by the Administrator, party appealing the decision, and any interveners, each of whom may be represented by legal counsel. 


The following shall have standing to appeal a decision of the Land Use Hearing Officer or to intervene in an appeal: 1. The Applicant 2. Any person or entity which appeared before the Land Use Hearing Officer, presented testimony or other evidence, and is adversely affected by the decision of the Land Use Hearing Officer. 


 It is the County Attorney Office's role to assure that no new evidence or testimony is allowed before the appeal board or the Land Use Hearing Officer. The County Attorney will recommend that the appeal board or the Land Use Hearing Officer disregard evidence or testimony which is not contained in the record. Any evidence presented which is outside the record made at today's public hearing could jeopardize the legality of the appeal's board decision and the presenter of that evidence could hurt his/her own cause. The requirements and limitations listed above shall apply to all appeals of Administrative Decisions being reviewed by the Land Use Hearing Officer during today's hearing. The safest course of action is for you to write down your comments today and repeat those to the appeal board. Therefore, please be sure that all information which you wish to be heard by the appeal board is contained in the record today.

Gates High School - No School On Sunset Facebook site

The "No School On Sunset" Facebook site is up and running  https://www.facebook.com/NoSchoolOnSunset

If there is a Facebook site for those supporting the school, email me and I will share that.

Gates High School - Revive the Lutz Civic Association

**6/12/12** Update.  The Lutz Civic Association has a new URL and website.  Add the word "The" in front of the old one.  http://www.thelutzcivicassociation.org/  It is still meeting and I will add to the blog the date and time of the next meeting as I get it.**

The issues surrounding Gates High School is something the Lutz Civic Association would have been involved in the past.  I am not saying LCA would oppose or support the school, simply it is the type of activity it had great expertise with.  Currently LCA seems to be close to death.  The website has not been updated since 2010.  The email address kicks back returns emails, there is no news about it in Lutz Community News.  There are no listing for the meetings anywhere.  This is not surprising, considering the state of the economy, older members retiring, lack of new members joining, the Parks Dept charging fees / increasing fees for meetings/activities,  for the lack of a big thing to fight against or for.

Applicants for zoning changes only have to notifiy adjacent property owners or designated representatives of registered neighborhoods within one mile of the site. (Many neighborhoods are not registered)  How many people who did not in those categories but who would be affected by Gates high School paid attention the big yellow signs placed regarding the rezoning?  It took me months before I finally got around to writing down the application number and looking it up.  How many people know how to look up the information? How many people have ever been to a zoning / County Commission hearing?  How many people have organized campaigns in support / opposition to a re-zoning request?

One of the expertises LCA had is about Land Use issues. There is an inactive page for Land Use News.  A re-activated LCA could be the place to again get information about zoning issues in Lutz. They have fought the big fights before and organized residents.

With people galvanized over the Gates High School now is the time to attend meetings / join LCA to ensure it remains a vital part of Lutz and will help with future re-zonings.

According to the State of Florida Business Registration site (Sunbiz.org) site the officers are: Gary Williams, Marion Smith,  Bahr Ardyth, Paul Vahue,  Auralee Buckingham, and Steve Polzin.  If you know them personally contact them for more information.  Paul Vahue is an Assistant Pastor at First Baptist Church in Lutz and can be reached at (813) 949-7495 or email.

**Update** Found a Facebook site for LCA https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lutz-Civic-Association/277432722313227

Gates High School - County Commission Meeting

From my experience, Monday's hearing will not be the end of this regardless of the ruling.  There likely will be a   hearing in front of the full County Commission, where supporters/opponents will be able to express their thoughts/feelings one more time.  If you have not attended a zoning hearing read up about it on  http://wordfromlutz.blogspot.com/2012/02/gates-high-school-zoning-hearing-who.html

Additionally the County has two brochures with more details Having Your Say and  How to Be Heard on Rezonings.  Of additional help is the Party of Record Information Packet.

Gates High School Supporters / Opponents Petitions

Gates High School Supporters have sent the County 38 pages of petitions with room for up to 10 signatures per page.  The letters of support has grown to 53.  

PETITION FOR: REZONING OF THE SURROUNDING PROPERTY OF SUNSET MANOR
COMMUNITY (SU 12-0429 GEN). LOCATED ON SUNSET LANE AND US HWY 41, LUTZ, FLORIDA
We are proponents of the rezoning of property surrounding SUNSET MANOR COMMUNITY that will allow the construction of a 1000 student high school. The increase in traffic has been mitigated by staggering arrival and departure times so as not to add traffic during peak times.


The proposed high school will provide a neighborhood school to those students who now have to travel to either Freedom or Steinbrenner which are both a minimum of 8 miles from Lutz. one way. The school would also provide those students who presently attend Learning Gate Community School the choice of attending a neighborhood public school. The proposed high school is planned to be built so as to have a minimal impact on the surrounding sensitive environment. A high school that puts the land and environment as a top priority is the best use for this property.


We would like it noted that the petition against the high school has some incorrect information.
No petting zoo is planned nor is a 30,000-gallon pool planned.
We, the people, strongly urge you TO rezone this property.


Those opposed have sent two sets of petitions one with 19 pages of petitions with up to 8 signatures per line and the second with 15 pages of 8 lines per page.


PETITION AGAINST: REZONING OF THE SURROUNDING PROPERTY OF SUNSET MANOR

COMMUNITY (SU 12-0429 GENl. LOCATED ON SUNSET LANE AND US HWY 41, LUTZ, FLORIDA

We are opposing the rezoning of property surrounding SUNSET MANOR COMMUNITY that will allow the construction of an 1000 student high school. The increase in traffic, noise levels, and pollution would have a disastrous effect on the unique landscape and environment of Lutz's community.

The proposed high school will consists of 4 classroom buildings, large parking lot, chicken coops, barn, petting zoo, natural garden, compost, hiking trails, and 30,000 gallon pool for fire protection. We feel that the minimum avai lable uplands are of an inappropriate size and nature to accommodate such a large project without causing strain on the quality and natural waterflow.

We, the people, strongly urge you to NOT rezone this property.
AND

To Whom It May Concern:

We the residents of the Lake Keen Area hereby attached a Petition Against Application No: SU 12-0429. We are in opposition to this school and have signed this petition for the following reasons:

Sunset Lane: Currently it does not meet current right-of-way standards and no improvements are scheduled for this road other than other than making an access road on Sunset Lane. Sunset Lane between the Winn Dixie Shopping Plaza and Walgreen's is a death trap and is al ready accident- prone. Commuters trying to get out onto Sunset in the morning are stalled, waiting - and waiting for a break in traffic. Why put more traffic on a road already too crowded road?

Schools: Current ly we have Lutz Elementary, Lutz Learning Center, Maniscalco Elementary School and Lutz Preparatory School. At present there are four schools in a few mile radiuses. Do we need another school here, No! Lutz Preparatory School (f/k/a Berean) is also a charter School located less than a mile on U.S. 41 from the proposed school, do we need a duplicate, No.

Ground Water: With approximately 1,015 students using bathroom facilities each school day, what is going to happen to our water? How many wells are going to be drilled? How much additional water will be pumped out each school day? Is this site going to be under and overseen by the Southwest Florida Management District for water usage.

Path to Park: We presently do not want high and middle school students running around our neighborhood, but it seems to me if you are planning on building a path to Nye Park. Is that where you intend to send you students after school?

Since we only learned last Wednesday, May 2, 2012, that everything submitted on the last Petition number was discarded, so now we submit this Petition. If we had more time, we would have had a much more organized drive.

Please know that some people signed this petition for one or more of the aforesaid reasons.

Please consider the feelings of a neighborhood affected by your decision by voting no school.

PETITION AGAINST ZONING APPLICATION FOR SCHOOL SU 12-0429

We, the undersigned, are AGAINST the above mentioned zoning application SU 1 2-0429. NO

SCHOOL, due to environmental issues, major traffic issues, water table issues, after school child care issues, the degeneration of at least three neighborhoods not to mention the over population of schools in the area 

Gates High School - Organized Opposition

Those in opposition to the Gates High School are organizing.  They have created a flyer to hand out and a Facebook site that will go live on Sunday.  They are also printing up T-shirts to wear at the Monday meeting

The Flyer is as follows:

NO SCHOOL ON SUNSET LANE!!
DID YOU KNOW THAT THERE ARE PLANS TO BUILD A 180,000 SQ/FT MIDDLE /HIGH SCHOOL COMPLEX FOR 1,000 STUDENTS OFF OF SUNSET LANE?
Though few Lutz residents are aware of it, this project is already well into the Hillsborough County approval process. A zoning hearing is scheduled for Monday, May 14, at 6:00 pm, at the 2nd Floor,  County Center: 601 E. Kennedy Blvd.
If approved, this school complex will significantly:
- increase traffic on Sunset Lane
- alter native wetlands
- negatively impact already stressed potable water
resources
For more information, check out our FaceBook page at “No School on Sunset Lane!!” or call Mike White at (813) 299-8835.

Other information that is being shared is: 

JUST THE FACTS - Gates Charter Middle and High School - Hillsborough County Public School
· 1000 student charter middle & high school – Located behind Nye Park
· 180,000 total sq ft complex
· 62 acre (approx) of non-continuous uplands and wet marsh lands.
· Private septic and water.
· No bus service. Individual vehicles.
· Approx 25-28 % of the students will be from Lutz. Charter schools use a lotto system.

SUNSET LANE AND NYE PARK – 2ND entrance
· Entrance for student parking, staff and service vehicles use road next to Nye Park.
· Approximately 250 parking spaces for students and 39 parking spaces for staff.
· NYE PARK - Patti, Gates School, is working with Mike Thornton, Hillsborough Parks Department, to lease Nye Park for use of parking, sports fields, and buildings during school hours.
· Right and left turn lanes will be added at Nye Park.
· Across from Nye Park are Lutz Learning Center and Tims Church Preschool.
· At this point on Sunset Lane, Gates’ Transportation Analysis, performed by Lincks & Associates dated February 24, 2012, project a 38.2% increase in traffic during peak hours at peak season (13 busiest consecutive weeks of the year) with Gates High School.

INTERSECTION OF SUNSET AND HWY 41
· Hillsborough County has determined that Sunset Lane cannot be widened. They can only add turn lanes.
· TECO’s power distribution station prevents widening the intersection of Sunset and HWY 41.
· Winn Dixie Plaza, US Post Office, Walgreens, All Creatures Animal Hospital, and future Korean Church exit onto Sunset at the intersection of US Hwy 41.

US HWY 41: - main entrance
· School’s entrance is approximately 250 feet north of Walgreens on US Hwy 41. .
· Approximately ¼ mile, two lane road with land bridge through pristine wet marsh lands to reach school.
PARKING AND CARPOOLING:
· Student parking (approx 250) located next to Nye Park. Additional 39-40 parking for staff.
· To reduce community impact, Patti will request students and parents to try carpooling.
· Student drivers will use permits to park on school property.
· Possible security gates on entry roads. Findings from the AAA study (12/2011) showed fatality increased with each additional passenger in the car:
· 44% when carrying one passenger younger than 21 (and no older passengers)
· Doubled when carrying two passengers younger than 21 (and no older passengers)
· Quadrupled when carrying three or more passengers young than 21 (and no older passengers)

SPECIAL LAND USE PERMIT HEARING
Public Hearing Date: Monday, May 14 at 6:00 P.M.
Hillsborough County Planning/Zoning Planning & Growth Management Department
App No. SU 12-0429 GEN
601 E. Kennedy Blvd., 20th Floor, County Center
Tampa, Fl. 33602
(813) 276 - 2006

All numbers were taken from the Learning Gate’s Transportation Analysis, performed by Lincks & Associates dated February 24, 2012, and submitted in their Application for a Special Land Use Permit.

This represents a 38.2% increase in traffic at an already congested and dangerous point on Sunset Lane.

Lutz Learning Center daycare recently increased their student capacity by 60% without adding any additional parking or access into or out of their facility.

Learning Gates' Sunset Lane access road is proposed to go directly north of the Lutz Learning Center's driveway

Gates High School - Prior Emails / Petitions

If you sent petitions or email to the County regarding the first application 11-0731, they are not carried over to the new application 12-0429.  You have submit new emails and petitions.  It might be possible that you could ask the County to carry over the prior ones.

One person created this letter/email they sent. I have not heard if it will work.  At a minimum if you sent an email before, resend it, simply changing the application number


Hillsborough County Planning & Growth Management
Application No: SU 12-0429 GEN
601 E Kennedy Blvd., 20th Floor, County Center
Tampa, Fl 33602


Special land use permit for Gates Middle and High School
Address and general location: North side Sunset, just east of US 41 Folio No: 0136930000
Application number: SC-12-0429 GEN


Dear Sir or Madam;


Due to the fact that both SU-GEN 11-0731 and SU 12-0429 GEN are of the same traffic impact concern, I am petitioning Hillsborough County Planning and Growth Management Committee to accept signed signatures on petitions with application number SU-GEN 11-0731.


Thank you,

Where in Lutz - Otter carving

Today starts a periodic series "Where in Lutz".  I will take photos of items and features around Lutz without giving their location.  After a period of time - to be determined - I will reveal the location. I hope that this will bring out interesting parts of Lutz for readers and that readers who know more about the item / feature will share that knowledge.

The first item is

 A carved tree stump with otters and someone's face.

Gates High School - Land Use Application Summary Re

The Land Use Staff have completed their report on Gates High School


Gates HS Land Use Application Summary Report


Summary Report Site Plan

Websites, Blogs, Facebook and Community Organizations - Part One

These days if a business or organization does not have a web presence, it does not exist.  That’s not really true, but without that presence an organization loses a great opportunity to engage the public, get its message out, increase membership and funding / donations.

There is a cemetery in Lutz, on US Hwy 41, a few blocks north of the Old Lutz Schoolhouse.  What is its history?  How do you get interred there? Who is buried there already?  Where could you donate to keep it maintained?  An internet search provides almost zero information, except that there was an inactive organization called Lutz Cemetery Association.

There is an organization called Lutz Volunteer Fire Association Inc.   If you wanted to learn more about the organization or become a member you would have to wait for the yearly mailing, because the only information available on the internet is the address and the corporation registration documents.

Many organizations choose not to have a web presence because they don't have the expertise to create website or can't afford to pay someone to develop and maintain one.

Some organizations get a grant to have a website created.  However they don't have the operating funds to update the website as needed. Or a volunteer with web site design skills creates a site and later leaves the organization.  Case in point is the Lutz Civic Association lutzcivicassociation.org. The last updates were photos from 2010 Guv'na race.  Much of the site is "Coming Soon".  Any emails kick back because the mailbox is full.

There are many different free websites that organizations can use.  However sometimes the results have not been very attractive.  Some are not easy to use. Some place ads on the site over which you have no control.    Some are tied in with your internet provider and if you change providers you lose the site.

I have created sites using a variety of these including Yahoo's Geocities, Google Sites, Blogger, and Wordpress.  The best free website site I have found is Weebly.com.

Weebly is easy to use, looks good, can be customized if you have the skills, has an integrated blog  is easy to maintain and update, and can be integrated with your own domain name.

My wife's site SusanBanghart.com, my personal site DavidBanghart.com and the Lutz Dog Park site http://lutzdogpark.weebly.com/ are all weebly sites.  The only thing that tells you it is a free site is a small notice at the bottom.  "Create a free website with Weebly"  If you go with the paid version that notice is not there. I consider that small notice an acceptable trade off for a free site.

The first step to creating a site for your organization is to create a Google email in the name of your organization.  This way you can easily pass off to the email address and website to others in the organization if you leave. For example I created Lutz Dog Park1@ gmail.com for the Dog Park site.  I forward that email address to my personal address to get all emails that come in without having to login separately to Google.

I like using Google for the email because of the many affiliated features such as Google Documents / Google Drive, Google Voice, YouTube, Google Calendar, Google Plus, Google Photos / Picasa Web Albums and more. These all can help make it easier to run your organization better or to better publicize it.  Later I will go over each of these.

In further blog articles I will go over actually creating a Weebly site, marketing  the site, getting it listed on search engines and.improving that listing.  My hope is that at the end of these articles Lutz groups that don't have websites will feel comfortable enough to start and maintain a site. 

Gates High School Meeting 5/9/12 6:30PM

I was forwarded the following email so that all Lutz area neighborhoods would have the opportunity to attend the meeting Wednesday night regarding the Gates High School.. The previous community meetings included "Sunset Manor and the lake communities only. Therefore, no other community has had an opportunity to voice their concerns. Since this is the final petition to the Hillsborough County Rezoning Committee it is only fair that all communities are fully informed."


Subject: Final community meeting

Neighbors,
Learning Gate will hold its final neighborhood meeting on Wednesday, May 9 at 6:30 in Heron Hall at our current site located at 16215 Hanna Road. We will show the most current conceptual site drawings and bring you up to date on where we are. Beck will be at the meeting to give you an overview of how we want to build our buildings. I will also share with you all of the conditions that we have agreed to while working with Bob Whitman and Colleen Kruk. We have worked together over the past several months with the county and Colleen and Bob to reach a comfortable working relationship. It is our goal to have as little impact on the property as possible and to be responsible land owners. We hope to bring a great community of dedicated parents,students and staff to the Lutz community and become a great community service source and a facility that will be open to learning opportunities for the community. Hope to see you Wednesday.

Patti Girard


Please note that the Zoning Hearing is May 14, 2012 at 6:00PM  at the Board of County Commissioners Boardroom,  2nd Floor  County Center, 601 E Kennedy Blvd, Tampa.  The Zoning Application Number is 12-0429.

Gates High School - More Reader comments

Another email from a reader:

Attached you will find Gates High School's 2012 rezoning application and site map that has been presented to Hillsborough County.


Please note icon #3 (site map), the dotted areas are wetlands (water year around with multitudes of wildlife). As you can see, to enter from US Hwy 41 (main entrance) the school is filling in part of the wet marsh to build a land bridge. This is why I am concern. Not only is the wildlife losing their habitat because of the land bridge but 1000 vehicles will use the bridge twice daily. GAS, OIL, LITTERING…cars and people are messy.


Environmental School?

Gates High School - Why no comments of support?

Usually in zoning hearings there are letters and comments from those who oppose and from those who support the requested variance.  I see plenty in opposition  to Gates High School. However I am surprised that I have yet to read any letters or comments of support.  Yet I know there are Lutz residents in support, because I have run into them. It's the parents whose children who go to the School or will go to the School. Some live in my subdivision of Windemere.  If I were the school I would be asking all the parents and all the children to write in to the Zoning board and to write to blogs such as this.

In addition I would think area business owners would be in support, since the school will bring more business to the Lutz Commercial area.  Those cars will need gas at Lutz Petroleum. The drivers might opt to stop off at Winn Dixie or Walgreens, Ace Hardware or Pet Supermarket, or John's Butcher shop since they are in the area. After school people might want to go to  Beef O'Brady's, Westshore Pizza, Villagio Restaurante, Elsa's or The Gathering Place. Other businesses would get more exposure such as Annie's Place, Deb's Whistlestop, Hound's Meow, Babcocks, or Alle Florist.   The staff would occasionally not want to eat lunch in the school cafeteria and would choose Richard's Cafe, Subway, McDonalds, House of China, Hot Rods, or Whaley's BBQ.   The same for people who would come to school events such as the recent EcoFest.

Curious.

5/8/12 - Update - Today 21 letters of support have been received by the county,

Gates High School - Request From A Neighbor

I received this email tonight:

Dear Neighbors,

On Monday, May 14, 6:00 pm, Hillsborough County Rezoning Committee will hold a public hearing for a special land use permit for Gates Charter Middle and High School. This 1000 student public high school is being built in your backyard! No matter where your home is located your family will experience the impact.

Students of the school will be from all of Hillsborough County (20-25% will be Lutz’s children). Charter schools do not provide bus transportation; therefore, the parents will drop off or the students will drive their own vehicles. That means 1000 student or parent vehicles, school staff vehicles, plus service vehicles will be using Livingston, Sunset, Hanna, and US Hwy 41 every morning and afternoon. Good luck getting out of Walgreens or the Winn Dixie Plaza.

The main entrance will be off US Hwy 41 just north of Walgreen’s parking lot and the 2ndentrance (student and staff parking) will use the ranger’s road next to Nye Park. We already have traffic due to Lutz Elementary. This school will only intensify the traffic on US Hwy 41, Sunset, Hanna, and Livingston causing more backups and accidents. I wish you luck getting out of Walgreens and Winn Dixie Plaza.

The school will take up woodlands and wetlands that extend from Hwy 41 to Yokum (next to Nye Park). The north-south boundaries would involve land from Sunset Lane to Lake Commiston and Lutz Elementary School. The main access from US Hwy 41 will require a dirt bridge to be built through existing pristine marshlands destroying trees and wildlife.

This property has exceptional ecological value and was nominated and accepted as a future ELAP property on Hillsborough County’s conservation lands list and added as an addition to Nye Park. The negotiations fell through between the county and the owner because the county could not reach the asking price the owner was demanding ($2 million). More that the appraised value! The property is a combination of freshwater marshes, open lakes, and forested uplands. When the county did an environmental assessment of the parcel, they determined that it has diverse wildlife: owls, birds, tortoises, Sherman fox squirrel, red shouldered hawks, fox, and deer.

The land is a valuable asset to Nye Park in that it has the potential to be part of Lutz’s greenway vision that connects Nye Park to US Hwy 41 via paved trails that take you through downtown Lutz, Old Lutz School House, and up to Oscar Cooler Park. The land is a valuable asset to Nye Park in that it can be used for various natural trail activities, picnic events, lakefront activities.

Three public high schools already serve Lutz: Steinbrenner High School, Gaither High School, and Freedom High School. Why do we need another high school?

As a long term resident of Lutz, I am aware of how important it is to protect our quality of living. We have been very lucky to enjoy the natural beauty and wildlife surrounding our neighborhood for so long. If this project is approved, it will spoil the natural freshwater marshes, open lakes and forested uplands destroying the beautiful wild life we have all enjoyed and disrupting the natural flow of water. What a terrible loss for all of us!

Public Hearing App. # SU-12-0429 GEN
Monday, May 14, 2012, 6:00 pm
County Center, 2nd Floor
601 E. Kennedy Blvd.
813-276-2006
hearings@hillsboroughcounty.org

Write or call:
David Croft
PGM- ZONING HEARING SECTION
PO BOX 1110
Tampa, Fl 33601
App No. SU-12-0429 GEN
813-276-8680 – 8am-4pm Mon-Fri.
croftd@hillsboroughcounty.org

Isabelle A. Albert
Senior Planner
Planning and Zoning Services Division
Planning and Growth Management Department
Hillsborough County BOCC
813.276.8396 f: 813.272.6068
alberti@hillsboroughcounty.org

http://www.hillsboroughcounty.org

Thank you,

From your neighbor at Sunset Manor
Gil and Betty McGee