Wesley Chapel awaits development plan

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WESLEY CHAPEL (Bay News 9) -- If Wesley Chapel was an actual city it would be the largest in Pasco. But that hasn't happened yet.

A small post office is an example that Wesley Chapel is growing faster than community leaders can keep up with. Other frustrations are development and traffic. That's what Jennifer Richard deals with every day.

"We live off SR. 54 and sometimes it takes 10 minutes just to make a left turn to take my kids to school," Richard said.

Business leaders said with no community plan for Wesley Chapel enacted by Pasco County, some complications turned up, like instead of an auto mall concentrated off the main drag, auto dealerships popped up next to subdivisions.

Peter Hanzel is chair of the government relations committee for the chamber of commerce. He said in that case, all sides were able to work out a compromise.

"The Hyundai and Mazda dealerships put in an additional $700,000 worth of lighting so no pollution of light would go outside the property lines," Hanzel said.

Those who live in Wesley Chapel said they hope business leaders and the county can map out future planning to prevent any more logistical nightmares. Leaders are hoping for a hospital, improved traffic flow and a mass transit system in the near future to accommodate the growing number of residents and shoppers.

Pasco commissioner Pat Mulieri told other commissioners not to forget the community plan for Wesley Chapel. The county's next big decision is to decide whether to allow a new hospital to be built in Wesley Chapel and where.
 

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