down. Down. Heat. Heat. Hey, Heat. Hey, Heat. Are you That's all. I don't know. >> No. >> Ready, David?
>> Yes. Whatever you are. I'd like to call the meeting to order. If we could stand for a moment of silence and the pledge of allegiance I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under
God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> All right, Madam Clerk, can we have the roll call, please? >> Here. Christopher Paul >> here. >> John Moody >> here. >> Matthews. >> Derek
>> present. >> Chris Williams >> here. >> I'm here. >> And the proof of publication, please. >> The advertis. >> All right. Thank you very much. So, we have uh a number of minutes here
to approve. Um, do I have a motion to approve? >> Motion to approve. Second. >> Do we have a motion to approve minutes C1 through C6? Any further discussion on the motion?
Not all in favor signify by saying I. I. >> Opposed like sign. >> All right, that motion carries. So, I'd like to welcome everybody today. We're the planning commission. We meet twice monthly. We're appointed by the board of county commissioners. We serve
as a local planning agency. We hold public hearings and transmit to the board of county commissions our recommendations on comprehensive plan amendments, land development code amendments, reszonings and conditional use amendment requests. Plan commission is the final
decision-making body for special exceptions. certain appeals, variance requests, and certain alternative standard requests. However, final decisions may be appealed to the board of county commissioners. If anyone is in opposition to any of the
comprehensive plan amendments, land development code amendments, resonings, plan uh or conditional use, or any item where the planning commission makes a recommendation to the board of county commissioners, it's important for you to follow up and
attend the board of county commission meeting. For those of you who are not familiar with the format of the meeting, we have three sections. We have continuences, consent items, and regular items. So, the continuences, it's been our custom
to grant and approve a continuence if it's asked for by staff or the applicant for uh for any number of reasons. Um, then we have consent items. Those items were items that make came to us in
application and have we have not had any objections from the staff or the public. So those items are on consent. We're going to go through all the items. If there's something on consent that you'd like to have discussed when I call it out, just raise your hand and we'll be
happy to pull it from consent and put it with the regular items. And those are the that's those are the items or item that um will be fully vetted today and people will have a chance to make a presentation and and the questions
questioners from the audience will have a chance to ask their questions. Applicants uh will have five minutes to make their presentation and the public will have three minutes each to ask questions. then the applicant will have an opportunity to
come back up and try to answer any of those questions. We also have a period before we should get started um for anyone who wants to speak on some something that's an item not on today's agenda. Um is there anybody signed up to
speak for something like that? >> Mr. Chair, I have no one signed up to speak for public comment. I would like to note that we do have one individual signed up to speak in opposition for an item. However, they're not present on WebEx today. >> Okay. When we come to that item, then we'll we'll just double check.
All right. So, uh before we get started, uh we're going to do two things. Most of us have phones. If you have a phone, please put it on the silent position so I won't interrupt anybody that might be speaking. And for anyone who plans to give
testimony or come up and speak, I'd like you to stand, raise your right hand, and be sworn. If you do that right now, anybody that plans to speak, >> and when you come up to speak, please just please first give your full name and your address so we have it for the
record. And please speak into the microphone. Don't face the audience because we can't record you if you're not speaking into the microphone. So, I think we're ready to go. Thank you. Good afternoon, planning commission
members. Giana German, Planning, Development, and Economic Growth. Uh the first item we have on continuence is PC7. It has a companion item PC8. For PC7, you'll be sitting as a local planning agency. It's PTE 260011, a small scale comprehensive plan
amendment in the name of CPAS2509 SR52 Heasley PD providing for a comprehensive plan amendment to future land use maps 2-15 and sheet 12 changing from res 3 residential 3 dwelling units per gross acre to PD plan development on approximately 18.98 acres of real
property located on the north side of state road 52 approximately 620 ft west of North Sun Lake Boulevard. And this is coming with the request to continue to February 19th, 2026 at 1:30 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the same may be heard
in Dade City >> for Dade City, you say? >> Yes. >> Yes. That's our That's our new continuence language that was recently approved. >> All right. >> Is the applicant present? Anyone here to object?
Okay. Item P8 is the companion item for PC7 PTE 267666, a zoning amendment in the name of SR52 Heasley LLC, SR52 Heasley, MPUD master plan unit development for a change in zoning from AC Agricultural District to
MPUD master plan unit development to allow for the development of 100 town homes and 15,000 square ft of commercial office uses on associated infrastructure on approximately 18.98 8 acres located in west central Pasco County. And this is coming with the request to continue the item to February 19th, 2026 at 1:30
p.m. or as soon thereafter may be heard in Newport Richie. >> All right. >> And I think I need to make a correction on item PC7. That item is to be heard in Newport Richie. >> Yeah, you said >> Yeah, that's why I asked about that. Okay. >> Okay. So, this is a companion item. This
is on the same uh applicants are represented by this people person and anyone here to object. No. Okay. Go ahead. Continue. >> Item PC9 also has a companion item PC10. And for PC9, you'll be sitting as a
local planning agency. It's PTE 260286, a small scale comprehensive plan amendment in the name of CPAS-2503, Old Dixie RV Resort PD, providing for a comprehensive plan amendment to future land use maps 2-15 and sheet 03 changing from res 6 residential six dwelling
units per gross acre to PD plan development on approximately 12.56 acres of real property located on the west side of Old Dixie Highway approximately 0.25 25 miles south of the intersection of Gulfway and Old Dixie Highway and a text amendment creating sub area policy
7.1.87 87 Old Dixie RV Resort PD and a map amendment to future land use map 2-9 adding sub area policy 2-987 Old Dixie RV Resort PD and this one is coming with the request to continue the item to March 19th 2026 at 1:30 p.m. or
as soon thereafter may be heard in Newport Richie. >> Okay. The applicant present anyone here to object? Okay. You're objecting or you're >> That's very tentative. Barbara,
>> I know, right? >> You're asking about me. >> Okay, you got your hand up. Okay. Okay. >> Item PC10. is PTE 267895, a zoning amendment in the name of Grownfloor Storage LLC/ Old Dixie RV
Resort MPUD master plan unit development for a change in zoning from R4 Highdensity Residential District to MPUD master plan unit development to allow for the maximum development of 52 RV space resort and associated infrastructure on approximately 12.56
acres located in northwest Pasco County. And this is also coming with a request to continue the item to March 19th, 2026 at 1:30m or as soon thereafter the same may be heard in Newport Richie. >> Okay. Is the applicant present?
Anyone here to object? >> Okay. Next >> item PC11 is the last item on continuence. It's PTE 262112. a variance request in the name of LCP Stone Road LLC to request for reduction
of the required minimum open yard requirements of not less than 150 ft to 10 ft for existing buildings and 30 ft for new construction in an I1 light industrial park district as required by
the LDC section 528.9D I1 light industrial park district yard regulations on approximately 4.184 acres located in West Central Pasco County on Stone Road approximately 450 ft east from US Highway 19. And this one is
coming with the request to continue the item to date uncertain. >> Okay. Applicant present. Anyone here to object? Okay. So that's the last Continuence. >> Yes, sir.
>> Move to continue PC7 and PC8 to February 19th, PC9, PC 10 to March 19th, and PC11 to date uncertain. >> So, we have a motion. Uh, we have a second. Second. >> We have a second. >> Any further discussion of the motion?
>> If not, I'll signify by saying I >> I like sign. >> Okay. The only item that we have on consent today is PC12. It's PTE 267899, a zoning amendment in the name of Daniel
D. Pascal and Kevin Singleary/Mass Massachusetts Avenue to allow for a change in zoning from C1 Neighborhood Commercial District to C2 General Commercial District on approximately 1.03 acres located in West Pasco County at the southwest corner of the
intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Kina Street. And this is coming with the recommendation of approval to the board of county commissioners of the requested zoning amendment. >> All right. The applicant present. Anyone here to object? >> Mr. Chair, just one quick question. Yes.
>> Um, we don't have a proof of publication in our packet for this one. Did we get one to the clerk? >> I believe that was just sent to the clerk's office. >> Can the clerk confirm they've got a proof on this one? Okay. Thank you.
All right. I don't see any objection. So, we only have one item on consent. Do I hear a motion? >> Motion. No. Continue. >> Consent. Approve. >> Approve consent. Sorry. Sorry. >> I was still continuing. >> Motion to approve the consent.
>> I'll second. >> Okay. We have a motion to continue the consent. That's right. >> All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Post like sign. >> Okay. >> The last item that we have on the agenda
today is P13. It's PDE26cu09, a conditional use request in the name of Bear Creek Group Home/Elevated Youth Services to allow for the conditional use for residential treatment and care facility in an R4 highdensity residential district on approximately.16
acres located in the West Market, Pasco County, east of Nature Trail Road, approximately 990 ft south of the intersection of State Road 52 and Nature Trail. And this one is coming with the request to recommend approval to the board of county commissioners of the
conditional use request with conditions as set forth under the recommended conditions section below. And for this item, I would also like to note that in finding a fact 19, it was originally stated that the subject site is on the west side and this was updated to reflect east side and electronic h
excuse me, an electronic copy of this revision was also provided to the clerk's office. Okay, very good. Thank you. the applicant present. >> Okay. You're the applicant. >> Normally, I need to hear from staff
first. >> Yeah. >> All right, staff. >> Good afternoon, Brian Younger with Planning, Development, and Economic Growth. Today before you we have a conditional
use uh for Berkeley Group Home doing business as elevated use services. The proposal is a conditional use. Current zoning is an R4 high density residential district. Fisher land use is
rest six residential 6. The purpose of the project is to increase the number of beds of the existing residential care treatment facility from six beds to 10 beds in accordance with the Florida statute chapter 419.001
and pursuant to the land development code section 517. The subject site is located west of Nature Trail Road 990 ft south of the intersection of State Road 52 and Nature Trail. I would like to mention that
after staff completed the review, it was mentioned that on finding of facts number 11, there was no code code enforcement violation record for the Wesley Chapel location. After further review with the code compliance department, it was found that four code
enforcement complaint had been reported by the citizens for the Wesley Chapel location and one code enforcement violation reported for the IIS elevated use services located in Nature Trail in State Road 52. All violations reported
for boats location were closed out as no code violation observed by the officer at time of inspection. This is a general location of the subject site which is located on the embassy district of the west market
area. Here is the context map and here we have an aerial view of the subject property. the current future land use uh for the property which is um R4.
We got current zoning for the property. On the project overview, the subject site consists of an existing 2,286 square ft of single family dwelling on approximately 16 acres. This was the source is Pasco County Property
Appraiser. The applicant is currently using the dwelling as a six bed community residential home pursuant to Florida statute chapter 119.001. The conditional use request is to increase the number of bet from 6 to 10
in accordance with the section LDC section 517.3.B. Access to the property is from Nature Trail Road, a county maintained residential road with approximately 50 feet of right of way. On March 3rd,
2022, the planning commission approved similar facility for elevated use services located at 26318 Lawrence Avenue, Wesley Chapel, Florida. And here the project comes to you with a recommendation for approval to his
condition from the planning development and economic growth department. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Any questions? >> I have a question, >> sir. >> Brian, um I'm looking at the proof of publication and the
sign for this item looks a little different than our normal signs. Do you have any idea why it looks I mean and specifically some of the text is cut off. Do you know why that is
on the the sign was actually when it was actually printed was printed by the applicant and it was found that the correct date and place of the hearing was on the sign. So how do we normally generate I mean
because I looked at all the other signs that are on the in our packet that do we normally produce the signs or like how how do how do these how do we normally generate signs? >> No, we actually don't generate the sign oursel. uh the instructions and the
template are provided to the applicant and the applicant is responsible for printing and putting out the sign in their property out of the right of way. >> So this particular applicant just printed it differently than the other applicants
did. >> Correct. >> Okay. I'm just trying to figure out why this one is the only one that where the text is sort of cut off on the sign. Is just because they printed it wrong?
>> Yes, I think it was um printing error. And in staff's opinion, is the description on the sign sufficient to put the public on notice on as to what the application is? At the moment when the picture was sent,
um the correct location to be the correct time and dates were on the sign. And at the moment, the applicant provided and staff received what the applicant provided to us. Did it have an explanation on the sign of what what it was supposed to be
changed to? >> I mean, it does say it's for conditional use for a group home. I I the problem is I can't tell what text was cut off because it's cut off. So, I don't know what was it appears that it's it was identifying
the location of the parcel, which would sort of be irrelevant for for the sign >> for the sign because it's it's on the parcel. If that's all that got cut off, then I I'm not I'm less concerned. But I I >> Is your understanding staff's understanding that's all that got cut
off? >> Correct. Yes. Uh Amy toll, Planning, Development, Economic Growth. That's what it does appear as if it's just the general location from the title that they utilized. Uh the applicant is here also if we need confirmation from them
as well. Okay. Weren't new standards approved for the sign that even specified like size of the sign? And wasn't there an issue with some signs weren't legible and so we went to the standardized sign process? >> Yeah, absolutely. So, uh, at the end of
last year, we implemented an updated sign process with a new template and everything that was approved by the board of county commissioners. Um, so the template in the scenarios is used. It's just not printed on that size. Our development review manual has not been
updated. I was just made aware that the development review manual hasn't been updated since 2022. So that change that happened at the end of last year has not been reflected. Um so we are actually proactively working on making sure that that's now updated. >> So our regulation that requires
the sign to meet to meet a certain format is not implemented yet. >> Correct. Okay. Who's the applicant? >> The applicant is Nicole Gladen. She's present today.
>> No, the the the name of the entity that supplied for this application. The name of the entity is Bear Creek Group Home and it's under 26 318 Lawrence Avenue LLC
doing business as Elevated Youth Services. Okay, that's not exactly what it says on the sign, but >> Okay. should ask. >> He's answering my question. >> Okay. Are there any other questions?
>> Yes. >> Yes, sir. Go ahead. >> Finding a fact number 14 says they want to build a duplex on the lot. >> I will have to check that. I don't recall for the top of my head. If I get an opportunity, I will check the notes
on the memo agenda. >> Hold on. Just get back to it here. says, "Finding effect number 14. The following excerpt is from the applicant's project narrative attachment two. I respectfully request that the Pasco
County Zoning Department reviews this proposal and approves the construction of a duplex on the abovementioned property." >> Yes. Now, I recall that one. I will need to defer to the applicant since that was part of the narrative that she provided
and we basically quoted the applicant on that information that was provided. >> So, are we asking for a conditional use for a group home or are we trying to build a duplex? >> No, neither. I'm just trying to figure >> I would like Yeah, I would like the
>> impact would be relevant if this application is not to construct a duplex which would be a special exception problem anyway, but >> uh I can speak to that. Uh Amy toll planning and development I would I'm looking at it right now. Um in my opinion, I would recommend we scratch so
we can make the change number 14. Uh the number 15 looks like the applicant's excerpt. we can make the adjustment to make sure that it's addressed uh or updated accordingly. This should be a is a a
conditional use request for a residential treatment care facility, not a duplex, >> which is consistent with the narrative that's in our agenda package. >> Correct. >> Correct. >> So, you're comfortable with that? >> Well, regardless of what the applicant
put in the statement, you're not granting approval. Even if you gave this approval, you would not be approving it. Duplex. >> That'd have to be a separate >> That would be a separate approval. >> Approval. Understood. >> Okay. Just confusing. >> It is.
>> I agree with you. It's confusing, but there's no circumstance where this approval could be considered an approval of a duplex. >> Okay. Understood. >> Okay. Any other questions? If not, uh, does the applicant have anything they'd like to say?
The applicant you have a presentation. Well, can I ask staff one more time? >> Yeah. >> How many bedrooms are in this home? >> I will need to defer that to the applicant if I'm not mistaken. I understand, but please don't quote me on this. Is three bedrooms. They might have
a little bit more, but I will need the applicant to answer that question. >> Okay. All right. Fair enough. >> All right. Thank you very much. Thank you. We'll just listen to the the applicant, please. >> Hello, Nicole Glatting, 10947 Pepper
Tree Lane, Fort Richie. I don't have a presentation. Um, I figured I could answer questions that come up. We have no intention of building a duplex. I'm not sure where that narrative came from. There is no need or intention to do so. It's a five-bedroom home.
>> Okay. Very good. Does anybody have questions? And then you can respond if the public has questions. >> Sure. >> Okay. >> Sure. So, there's quite the list of police calls to this facility in our packet
and I see that the applicant's response is that you don't want to provide any information about the police calls. Can you tell us why that is? >> No, that's not the case. Um my response was that we can speak about the different police calls that you might
have in question. Police are coming onto campus regularly because there's welfare child checks. If there is any type of CPI involvement that is happening because of foster care, they always are um accom accompanied by a police officer. Um we
do routine um police involvement for positive enforcement, not for just the negatives. So those involvements are listed as well anytime we ask them to come on site. Um there has not been any runaways or um
or negative reason for police involvement at this property. There has been child protective investigators that have come on site that are accompanied by an officer. There has been welfare child checks that have come on site um based on like parents who are wanting their child checked on outside of us or
Department of Children and Families. Um but the police calls that have come out has not been for fighting um any type of arrest. The officers are here um and they can also speak to that. But there's been no runaways, no Baker acts, no
arrests from this property. >> Okay. >> And I'm talking about the Bear Creek group home, right? Yes, ma'am. Yes, sir. >> Oh, and you run the one in Wesley Chapel, too? >> I run them all. >> Okay. And it looks like there's quite the laundry list of calls out there at
that facility too. >> There was those have drastically reduced. >> I see. And none of these these are all welfare checks. >> No, there has check on the list. >> No, there are no Well, there are welfare
checks that um have been called in from Department of Children and Families. It could be from just a regular parent who wants their child checked on. Um, guardian aditums. Any type of government agency who comes on campus has to bring an officer most likely. And every time
an officer comes out, they come with two units. So, there's always more than one um patrol officer on site. um the responses in Wesley Chapel are conditions out there per our um
not a special exemption but our alternative relief that we had approved um that required that anytime we lost line of sight with a child we had to notify law enforcement. So that is a a condition that has been imposed on us. Though we do uphold a big human
trafficking presence and we will call law enforcement and help to recover those children and get them back into a safe house um every time. Um but the police involvement out there has drastically reduced. Would you say that most of the residents there are human
trafficking related or is it more >> so the children that we serve there are some human trafficking victims there. Um the whole mission of our program we do not serve child sex offenders. We do not serve registered sex offenders. We serve children who are sexually reactive. So
all of our kids have experienced sexual abuse in the past whether it's been done to them or it has been witnessed by them. um whether they've been trafficked by their parents for drugs, you name it. That is the type of child that we serve. And we bring them into our group home.
It's a clinical program. It lasts 12 to 18 months. And they work through um clinical phases to stop the cycle of sexual abuse. We don't want them to end up being sex offenders. We don't want them to be trafficked, become um like part of the stigma of being a sex
offender. So, we work with them. We have been working with the coalition, the human trafficking coalition. We work with Pasco County um human services administrator to work on our mobile response team that we have internally because we want to limit the use of the
resources of police officers and be able to utilize our own mobile response team so that we're not Baker acting all the time. um the kids that have been human traffked, 75% I'm sure you're all aware of the three big stings that have happened over November and December of
just this past year. And there was 247 people arrested right here in the greater Tampa Bay area for human trafficking. 75% of those kids that were recovered are dependent children or runaway children. 75% of kids are dependent, which means they're in foster
care. And so if there aren't people that are going out and searching for them and looking for them and and advocating for them, they are going to get lost in the system because they don't have parents and other people who are fighting for them to bring them home. 50% of the children, more than 50% of the children that were found in
operation home for the holidays in November, more than 50% of them are right from our backyard right here in the greater Tampa area. The rest of them were from all over Florida. So we are diligent in making sure that these kids who do not understand healthy sexual
backgrounds, understand healthy sexuality, understand what is right and wrong, healthy relationships or relationships with parents or the people that are supposed to keep them safe, they don't understand what's right because the people who are supposed to keep them safe have completely abused
them and turned them out. It's terrible. And we have opened six group homes and I can tell you we are full. We are being begged to open more because there are so many kids who are at risk of human trafficking. There are so many kids who are being sexually abused by these
parents coming from child placement investigators that have nowhere to put them and they're begging us and we've only been in operation for five. This is our fifth year and we can't get homes open fast enough to save these kids. That is what we do. We do not serve sex
offenders. We do I know that is a lot of what people think. We do not serve adjudicated um I'm sorry I'm getting Adam I get very passionate about it so I'm sorry but we do not serve kids who are felons. We're not allowed to per our conditions. We
are we're not allowed to serve registered sex offenders. They're all minors. They have to be moved out by the day before their 18th birthday. Every home has a specific age group that they so that they're all kind of in the same cognitive development level. Um, this
home in Bear Creek, the oldest child that would ever be there is 13. Um, I mean, I could talk about our program all the time because I'm passionate about it, but >> I was going to say I can definitely attest to the need for these places.
Now, >> whether or not it should be in this neighborhood or or whatever is a different issue, but I can attest that there's definitely a >> sure >> huge need out there. But what neighborhood would you recommend though, you know, respectfully? >> I'm not saying yes or no. I'm not saying
it should or shouldn't be there. I'm saying I can attest that there's definitely a need out there. A tremendous amount of fundraising. >> Are >> on this uh through Rotary. We've we've >> we uh Wesley Chapel Rotary Club built bridging u work with bridging hope
bridging freedom rather out there. So there's tremendous need for it. I understand that. >> Yes. Are you able to speak to any of the calls? >> Yeah. Could you could you >> I mean, I'm looking at one, two, three, four, five on this list. I don't know
what this means because there's no information about the call other than what it just says in nature. It says sex offense delayed. What does that mean? >> Right. So, a child that moves in could potentially have charges from prior to or there could be an open case on them
from if they had sexually assault been sexually assaulted or had tried to sexually act out on another child or a sibling or their mother or fought back or you name it. A child could come to us that might have a pending like misdemeanor or something. Police
involvement is requested from whichever county these children are from and the police will come out and do the investigation. Um we have not had any child onchild sex um reports from this home. We have had one child who was arrested from this home. Um that is one
of the call outs. I'm sure it was not anything that happened on our facility or in our presence. It was an old charge where we had a pickup order and he was picked up from Miami Dade and taken off campus, but he was picked up by a local officer and and removed.
We've had two I I know one child specifically, so two of these calls, his father is not happy that his child was removed from him. He has had two welfare child checks called in. Um, one of them was is probably the most recent call on that list. Um, that was just recently.
you know, they just don't trust their child's been removed. Um, they don't feel like they've done anything wrong. The child's in foster care now, and he wants the officers to come out and take a look at him. >> Do do some of the welfare checks from CPI, is that count as a call for service as well? >> Yes. Yes. CPI, anytime that they come
out, they have to bring an officer as well, and those would be listed as call for service. >> Planning Commission, Planning Commission members, we do have a representative from the sheriff's office here as well. I don't know if he wanted to ask questions or not, but >> yeah, if he's willing to
he he offered to attend to answer questions if you wanted to ask him. >> Okay. >> All right. Very good. >> And can we ask >> Chase, did you want to come on up? might be helpful if we put the list up
on the on the screen as in our agenda package. >> Good afternoon, Chase Daniels, Pasco Sheriff's Office, 8661 Citizens Drive. Uh so I I'm here um to answer any questions you guys have. I know that I had received some data request uh for
two addresses that I provided to the uh to the staff. Um, but happy to answer any any questions or any uh any concerns or pro any information I can. >> And maybe when the list gets up on the screen, maybe you can if you have any knowledge of these, you can add some color to the what we're seeing.
>> Yeah. I just don't know. I don't understand what it means. It says like sex offense delayed. What does that mean? >> Yes, sir. So, uh, looking at the, uh, so I'm pulling up our our calls now. So looking at the um
January 6th one uh ju just as just an example I do have to be careful with you know what what information we provide because it it may not all be public record. Um but looking at the the report here um yeah so that appears to be uh an
individual um alleging that one of the uh individuals who resided in the home had committed a uh sexual offense not while they were in the home but before they they came to that home. Uh looks like the offense occurred in Tampa. Um but that was um an individual who uh
later then was was put in the home. So, it was some follow-up investigation on on that case and I can tell you you so nature trail um looking at the data uh between so I was requested by calls for service between December 1st 2024 and December 1st 2025. We've received 14 calls for
service at that location. Um they vary from suspicious person, illegal parking, um welfare check. our our last call for service at that location uh that I can find uh while I was just in there doing some some quick research was a uh December 9th, 2025. So that fell outside
of the the date I was requested to provide to. But our last call for service there was December 9th, 2025. Uh and as the applicant stated, that was a father requesting a welfare check on on his son. Um the Lawrence Avenue address, 26318 Lawrence A. Uh 30 calls for
service. Uh the date range was a little bit different on that one. um at 8124 to 8125. Um the most uh typical call for service there, we received five reports of Baker or five requests for for Baker Axe. Um three reports of uh of missing people and three suicide attempts. Um
looks like our our last call for service at that location again that I could find just just on my phone doing some quick research was uh January 12th, 2026 um which involved a battery of a of a staff member. What does it mean when it says delayed >> on on these where it says
>> previous? Yeah, it's from a previous. >> It says disturbance, juvenile, delayed. What is >> Yes, sir. So, so what that means is so we we uh bifurcate our calls between active and and delayed. So if they are active so that is where you see um you
like illegal parking does not have delays. That means that we received a report that illegal parking was occurring in that moment at that time. uh delayed. Uh so it could be hey a couple hours ago or a day ago um you know someone someone called in to to report that there were you know
juveniles that that were fighting but it just means it is is not active in that moment. >> Were there any arrests made from the facility? >> Uh which facility sir? >> The well either well let's this one this is subject to the application nature trail.
>> Uh yes sir I can look that up for you. Uh so that would be 11 755 Nature Trail. Sorry, I'm just u waiting for the information.
Uh so yes sir. So I'm showing um one arrest from April 27th, 2025. U and it was involving um a Lun lascivious battery. U but I'm not I'm pulling up now to see if that
happened at the location or if that was um called in. Uh yes. Okay. So, it looks like that was called in as a uh sex offense delayed and it happened um outside of the jurisdiction. >> So, it's basically a warrant for a previous
infraction that happened. >> Not not necessarily a warrant, but uh so it got reported to the abuse hotline and then uh and then it gets referred to us for for a late investigation. Can I ask a question? >> Yeah, >> so Chase, um, these are obviously not
the only two group homes in Pasco County, correct? >> I mean, there are other I assume there's other group homes that you all >> Yes. So, so I'm not I'm not sure about about group homes, but there are other homes of of this of this type that exist. >> The number of calls that that to these
two homes typical of what you would see at a at a for this type of facility? >> Yes, sir. So, if we're talking about uh you know, for instance, the the Wrap House or the the Bridging Freedom Safe locations, um yeah, the these are these are pretty typical calls for service to these to these locations
>> to these type of locations. >> Frequency of the calls typical. >> Yes, sir. All right. And then I have one more question. Is there a way to determine, and I realize you can't disclose the source of the complaints
probably, but is there a way to determine which of these calls originated from a neighbor as opposed to the home itself? >> No, sir. That that would be uh protected as as the we we can't provide the the 911 caller information. That'd be protected. No,
>> I'm not asking for the name of the individual. I'm asking >> is there a way to determine how many of the calls came from >> if they came from the >> neighbor? Uh so that would be a question for uh Pasco County Joint Communications. We just know where where we get dispatched to, but but we're not aware of of
necessarily where it is coming from. >> Okay. >> Okay. Any other questions? >> No. >> Okay. If not, thank you very much. >> Thank you. Okay. So, I think there are how many people
are here to speak on this issue? Okay. And we're going to take a fivem minute recess. Thank you. Okay, I'd like to call the meeting back to order, please. >> Okay, we continue. If there's nothing
more from the applicant, um, is there anyone here to ask questions from the public? Uh, do we have a list? >> The first individual we have signed up to speak, Mr. Chair, is a Robert Castro. And after that was James Gonard. Groard, excuse me. >> Okay. Thank you, Robert. Just give you
your name and address, please. Um, >> yes, sir. I got a couple documents I'd like to present to you guys. >> Do we have a receive receive second? >> Second. >> Motion to receive and file. And could I ask staff to put up a map of the neighborhood so we can see where these folks live?
>> Thank you. >> That was quick. like you knew what we were gonna ask. >> Okay. Go ahead. Go ahead. Good afternoon. My name is Robert Castro. I live at 26445 Lawrence Avenue. >> And you've been sworn. >> Yes, I've been sworn.
>> Thank you. >> First on my agenda is who in the neighborhood within 2500 ft of this facility was required to offer a seat on the board or governing board. Nobody that I've been in contact with has been honored this position. Second, there's
an ongoing violation under condition number six with their conditions upon approval, which requires all vehicles to park in the driveway, not on the grass or in the street. This is a very narrow road. This is blocking EMS and emergency vehicles for those that are in need.
Third on my list, there are violations of conditions on Lawrence that are repeatedly ignored. As Mr. Yonker said uh code enforcement came out and said no violations. Code enforcement is unaware of the conditions upon approval. So with
no involvement of the conditions upon approval, how is he supposed to enforce them? Who is in charge of enforcing these rules? And me as a community member happened to pave the road after Pasco County said that they are not responsible for repaving this road. I bought four tons of asphalt, spent 12
hours shoveling hot asphalt into big, huge potholes that were over six feet big. This was ignored by the fire chief, Pasco County Commissioners, and multiple other departments of public safety. I have also then reached out to multiple
parties and neighbors about these issues. I've even asked the group home employees not to park on the road. When asked, they tell me to f off and speed away. So with that being said, I would like to know who enforces these rules of conditions upon approval or is this just
a mockery of this department here? >> Can you? >> And then following that subject, we also have on EYS's homepage, they uh have six at risk therapeutic homes for sexualized behavior. What is
sexualized behavior, I ask? So you turn into the pages. There's a page right here that states exactly what sexualized behavior is. Okay. Problematic sexualized behavior is more than kids playing doctor or showing curiosity about private parts. So, there's a whole
bunch that in there in in that document, but that's what they label they want to care for in this home. Not handicap or disabled, not any of these things that they say that they're showing on your planning. It is problematic sexual behavior is on their home website and that is what they push for.
This is not about the kids. This is a cash grab. They switch from a nonprofit to a profit organization. This is not for the kids like she tried to say. And then she wants to say that this is not problematic sexual behavior kids. >> These are problematic sexual behavior kids as shown
>> and they're also being studied by colleges. We have multiple USF website or one of the college websites that I also have listed that will also show you that these kids are being studied by other departments and more funding is being given to this. >> This is not about the kids. This is
about money. >> They don't care about the safety. >> Can I get >> And that is all today. Thank you guys. >> Excuse me. >> Sir, am I sir? >> Can I get you to back up just a minute? You mentioned one of the conditions of approval that you said they were in
violation of, but you didn't say what the condition was. What does the condition require and what's the violation? >> So, everybody should have a copy of this conditions upon approval because it was signed by all of you guys here. So, under condition number two, >> it shows failure to um it shows about
the facility giving a governing board within 2500 ft. That's on page five of eight. So, you're talking about the conditions for Lawrence Avenue. >> Correct. >> If this is to be approved, the conditions, if it's to be approved, >> the thing is is that no one's regulating
these conditions upon approval. Sir, there is no enforcement of these conditions. The sheriff's department has received multiple calls and so is code enforcement and everyone wants to point the finger saying it's not their department. Tyler of code enforcement stated to me he didn't even have a copy
of this. He doesn't even know what this is, but he's the one who's in charge of our area supposed to be enforcing it. And over the last 5 years, we've been made a mockery of the residents just have to suck it up and deal with this. >> Just to be clear, you're talking about a
condition of approval for the Lawrence AB facility. >> Yes, sir. That's where I live. >> Okay. I I I get that. >> And they're saying that they've had no issues with us, but we've had constant issues with them. It has been non-stop repeated offenses and they've been ignored by both the state, by the county
sheriff, and also by code compliance. I have open pictures of code compliance in the background while vehicles are parked on the roadway. And because Tyler didn't know what the conditions upon approval were, he couldn't set a violation. This is more than just one occurrence
that has happened. >> Can I Can I You need to slow down, Mr. M. Correct. You need to slow down a little bit. Okay. So, what happened when you made Tyler aware when you showed him the You have a copy of the conditions, >> correct? I asked Tyler to come out to my home
>> and get a copy. >> Show him the conditions of approval. >> I tried to show him it. I tried to tell him to come back out to my home so I could give him a copy of them and he requested I emailed them to him yesterday >> and I told him that I cannot figure out how to upload this via email to where it's accepted by Pasco County because
Pasco County blocks out pictures when sent to their emails through a certain way. >> So when did these conversations with Tyler occur? >> Yesterday. >> Okay. So this all occurred recently. We So >> this was when I was told to contact code compliance because Pasco sheriff
commissioners and everybody else said that they could not do anything about this. This was not their department. And then when asking even customer service in Pasco County, they gave me the runaround to go to child services, zoning, and everybody else but code
compliance. It has taken 5 years to get the answer of going to code compliance to actually make this happen. No, >> code compliance is the right department to enforce conditions of approval. Let's start there. >> Okay. So, >> when did you file a complaint with code
compliance? >> Code compliance was just filed this month because that is when Denise Hernandez and everybody else started saying code compliance is who you need to file your complaints with. >> Okay. >> All prior to that, Commissioner Weightman and everybody else in the commissioner's office was well aware of
these scenarios and everything else that has been going on on Lawrence Avenue. Who did you speak with in code compliance? >> Code compliance, like I said, I spoke to Tyler. Um, I can pull up his last name if I'm allowed to reach for my phone. >> Sure.
>> Yes. >> Is this the only copy? >> Navaro is his last name. >> So, >> okay. As I said, multiple conversations with Tyler resulted in him being frustrated because he has no idea what these conditions upon approval are for Lawrence Avenue. He cannot pull them
either. >> When did you speak to Tyler? >> Tyler I started speaking with about 5 days ago. >> Okay. >> And from first report on, it's been nothing but him not understanding what's going on here. He has no idea what is
going on with these conditions. And as I said, he asked me for a copy because >> Tyler's defense, if these conversations occurred five days ago, I'm not sure that's adequate time for him to have investigated. >> Like I said, it it's sometime within the time frame of the last week. Me and him have had these conversations. I can
check exactly what dates and tell you if you'd like, but it's within the last week time. >> Well, we have somebody from code compliance here and we can have them testify, but I'm >> Is it Tyler Navaro? >> I I don't know, dude. Who do we have? >> My point is those that your statement
that that code compliance isn't doing anything. >> Tyler Navaro was unaware of what to do and had no information. >> Five days is is not I mean he may in fact be investigating it and still >> no he closed all the tickets.
>> Okay. Well, I guess we'll hear from code compliance to see if that's true. I don't know. >> So, >> okay. Any other questions? >> Are there other conditions of approval that you feel are not being adhered to? >> There are multiple conditions upon
approval I feel like there is infractions of. >> Can you tell me what those are? >> So, condition number six, as I said, no vehicle shall be parked on the grass. Condition number four, um, residents need to be notified within 30 days or within 30 minutes to the
Pasco County Sheriff. These kids have ran away multiple times and they have not notified Pasco County Sheriff. We have them on record. >> So, how I'm not saying you're not telling the truth by asking this question. I'm
just trying to understand the facts. How do you know they've run away from the facility? because they've ran away to my home and tried to come in through my front door. Sir, >> can you tell us a little more about that? >> On Fourth of July, I had an African-American male try to break down
my front door, begging the police sheriff to take him away. And as the lawyer said for the group home, he was just confused. The kid knew exactly where he was and he wanted to go back to his grandfather's. He begged sheriff's department to take
him away to the county jail. And did you call the sheriff's department? >> The sheriff's department was driving by as I opened the front door with their lights on. And this was about 4:00 in the morning. >> And what happened? >> The kid was then brought back to the
group home and I never saw him again. >> Okay. >> And so how do you know they didn't call the sheriff within 30 minutes? So there's other reports where we have them on Ring camera, these kids going through our backyards, breaking into our homes, and other incidences. So there's
multiple reports. It's not just one secluded incident. >> Yeah. We'll be hearing from the other. >> Well, I guess my question is, how do you know that they're not contacting the sheriff when they're >> Because I pulled the police report, sir.
>> Okay. >> Just like how he had him posted right here on the TV. He only he didn't show Lawrence Avenue because Lawrence Avenue's police reports twice as long. >> And and so you're saying yourself obviously along with some of your neighbors have had some of these issues
with attempted breakins and things like that. >> We've had multiple >> Okay. >> Not not attempted. They did break in. >> Okay. And so just to clarify, I guess those calls for service would be at that particular address. Therefore wouldn't be showing on this report that was provided because these were all calls
for service for this Correct. And that was within the last year, not the last five years as they say they've been operating for. If you look at the calls over the last five years, there is numerous calls, tremendous amounts of traffic. And it is, like I said, I'm the
one who paved the road. I'm the one who came out of pocket and had to shovel four tons of asphalt into all these potholes that these drivers use the road arrogantly searching for these kids within that 30 minutes trying to find them. And they're using our road as a raceway. I have to deal with this.
>> Yeah, I guess that would be kind of my point of clarification because maybe showing the calls for service at the address of the group homes not telling the whole story if there's been calls for service and the radius around that in the neighborhood. So, I don't know if that's something that that Chase can
speak to or not uh regarding other calls for service there in the neighborhood, but that'd be something interesting to look at. But also, as I said, for the code enforcement agent for our area, Tyler, to not know what these conditions upon approval are, and he was the one
who was supposed to be enforcing them the last 5 years, that brings a big concern to me and my community. >> Because if there's no enforcement, these are completely useless. >> I understand.
>> Yeah. In my experience, I've seen that um code enforcement is often more reactive than proactive. So sometimes it takes a call to code enforcement to let them know of an issue going on for them to invest. >> So as I was saying, sir, I have a photo with code enforcement in the background and the violation right in front of him
and he says he didn't see any violation. >> Okay. >> But yet clearly in the conditions upon approval >> from our representative from code enforce see what the status is of the investigation on the complaints. >> I got you. Not a problem. >> Okay. Anything else? >> Yeah, I don't take our questions as
disbelief of your testimony. We just need to make sure that all the facts get laid out here before we make a decision. >> No, absolutely, sir. >> Thank you for coming out. >> Hey, thank you, sir. Anything else I can
>> Thank you very much. I was just checking. >> The next individual that we have signed up is a James Groner. And after that is Tara Castro. >> Good afternoon. If we could get your name and address, please. >> Uh name's Skyler James Groner. I live at
26414 Lawrence Avenue. >> Okay. >> Uh, good afternoon. My name is James Groner. I live on Lawrence Avenue, 100 yards from Elevated Youth Services Lawrence House facility. I'm here as a father of a 14-year-old daughter and a toddler son. And as a homeowner concerned about what's happening in my
neighborhood, I'm asking you to deny the conditional use permit for Bear Creek House. First, there's a fundamental misrepresentation happening here. The Bear Creek CUP application states that EYS serves male youth who are identified as quote at risk. Lawrence House CUP
says minor quote minors with handicaps and disabilities. EYS own website and their Florida State University field placement listing explicitly state they operate goo group homes for quote male youth who struggle with problem sexualized behavior. That's not a disability
or generic at risk at risk youth. That's a specific clinical population. This board and community deserve to know what's actually being proposed. Second, Lawrence House has generated 30 documented sheriff responses in the last year, not minor incidents, include banks, batteries, suicide threats,
attempts, missing persons, probable cause calls. I've had youth from the facility knocking on my door at 10:30 at night. I've seen residents unsupervised in the woods near my home. My neighbors have reported kids in their yards and vehicles broken into. Here's what concerns me most. Lawrence House CUP permit prohibits residents quote
adjudicated delinquent based on charges of violent crimes, but it it says nothing about sexual offenses. EYS specifically treat treats youth with problem sexualized behaviors. The absence of any restriction on sexual sexual offenses is alarming. And who's checking? What's the enforcement
mechanism? Bear Creek uses weaker language. It only restricts youth c currently quote under custody of DJJ for sexual violent offenses, not those under DCF custody or no longer under DJ supervision. And again, how is this
enforced? I have a 14-year-old daughter and a toddler living 100 yards from one of these facilities. I no longer let my daughter ride her bicycle on the street because and I want to go on the record and state directly to the members of this board, I am concerned about the danger of child sexual assault stemming from these facilities.
I have observed that when Lawrence House operates at or near 10 residents as approved by this board, the problems intensify. Runaways, police calls increase. EYS has recently kept Lawrence House numbers lower, likely due to law enforcement attention. Once the Bear
Creek CUP is approved, I believe both facil both facilities will fill the capacity and my neighborhood will face the same pattern all over again. I understand that struggling youth need treatment and placement. I'm not opposing help for vulnerable children. You have an opportunity today to require transparency, enforceable safeguards,
and protection for residential neighborhoods. The pattern displayed at Lawrence House raises serious questions about whether this model can operate safely at 10 bed capacity. I'm asking you to deny this permit and I will be pursuing revocation of the existing permit on my street.
>> Can I ask >> Yes, sir. >> question. you cited some other source of data as to who the clients of the facility are. >> You said that they claim they you say
that the applicant claims that the clients of the facility are >> so the uh >> from another source of data you said you can demonstrate that that's not what >> Yeah. So I have uh this is the college of social work from Florida State University. Um,
>> so how do they know what's in there? Who's in there? >> They the elevated Youth Services has placed a uh advertisement for social work students to come work at the house. Specifically states that uh Elevated Youth Services has six at or six
licensed atrisisk group homes for male youth who struggle with problem sexualized behavior uh ages seven to 18. >> So that's from their own employment ad. >> Yeah, that's from the employment ad and it's directly on the website. It says directly on the website that they provide services of youth with problem
sexualized behavior. >> I see. >> Um not at risk youth, not not general at risk youth or >> would be willing to submit that >> advertisement to the clerk. >> Could I have a motion to receive I I'll make a motion to move receive and file
his information. Have a >> motion a second. All in favor? I I post like sign. >> Thank you. Very good. Any other questions? Thank you very much. We appreciate you coming. Thanks.
>> And who's next? >> The next individual I have signed up to speak is a Terara Castro. And after that is Terry Tideball. >> Jesus Christ. Sorry guys, this scared the Sorry, >> it won't bite.
>> Well, it just like popped in my face. I'm not that tall. >> Just remember. >> Hi, my name is Tara Castro. I am a homeowner on Lawrence Avenue. >> I live at 26445. Sorry, please don't use my minutes. It's
very important. >> Send her a bill. >> Yeah. >> Um, so I I'm sorry. >> I live at 26445 Lawrence Avenue. I know I'm not to require to disclose my address, but I think it's very important that you guys can see the vision of how
close I am to this group home on Lawrence Avenue. >> Yeah, it is important. >> What I'm coming here to you today is I want to bring to your attention a few different things that have happened in the community and it's happened for quite some time and I'm very concerned. I used to have my brother that lived in
the community. After you guys approved the home, we caught kids in the backyard and he sold his home. I no longer have my brother here anymore in Florida. It's very sad. >> Yeah. >> You know, losing family that was so close and we tried so hard to stay
together. So, anyways, as I go back, I don't want to spit off my speech, but I want to get back to the main thing for you guys right here. I would like to submit this information to the as evidence of you guys. I only have one copy, so I don't know if there's any way we can make copies because I wasn't prepared for you guys thinking I had to
make all these copies. So, I apologize. But if I need to read it, I will first and then you guys can have it. What is problem sexual behavior? Problem sexual behavior is more than kids playing doctors or showing curious about private parts. PSB includes sexual behaviors that are beyond typical sexual
development. A clear indication of a problem is when behaviors are aggressive, intrusive, and coercive. And this is harms to youth and others. Again, that is a very key statement, harm to youth and others. Okay. Now, I'm going to touch on some things you guys. Lawrence Lawrence Avenue property the
group home is in complete violation of several violations of the condition upon approval that have not been enforced by you guys or not you guys specifically by the county I should say and I'm sorry I'm a little nervous. First I want to remind you that Lawrence Avenue is a private road. This was brought up before
you guys when you guys approved it in 2022. The citizens maintain that road. again we just have to maintain it and it's been approved as a residential street not as an access for an institutional treatment which constant traffic staff turnover and student
clinicians again going to the USF website that's the student clinicians first year second year and advanced students I want to bring to your attention how this repres how how this facility and what I have witnessed personally in my brother's backyard in
2022 I was in his backyard two kids showed up in his backyard fish. No adults or anything like that. We I didn't know at the time. There was a third individual as well. These were minors. They were from that home. My brother went down and spoke to them. They were told the the worker told my
brother, "Sorry, I was busy making supper is why they weren't supervised." >> In 2023, a child from that home tried to break into my home at 4:15 in the morning. I got a call as I was on my way home from work asking me to check the
Ring camera. I checked the Ring camera and informed my daughter to arm herself and be prepared to fully eliminate the threat if it comes in the door. That was 4:15 in the morning when I got to the property. That little boy was
down the street in front of the horse property. Again, over the years, the staff walk by my property or the kids walk by my property, excuse me. There is no adult that I have witnessed. The adults follow in a vehicle
five football links behind. They don't hear the the, you know, instigating going back and forth. I have a pot belly pig, a 200lb potbelly pig. These kids have walked by my property, have instigated trying to call my livestock out of the backyard, have tried to feed
my pig, you know, oh, we'll give it a balloon. Well, you know, if you've ever had livestock, worst thing you can do is feed anything like that to a livestock. Again, I told them this needs to stop. Please stop. There's a security issue. There's a safety issue. These kids are repeatedly gone all the time. I'm going
to go real quick to the one on 2025 just because I think it's important that you guys see the history. On July 4th, 2025, this is just a short time. I'm only giving you a short period of time. The real true picture of what happened. July 4th, 2025, there was a fight on Lawrence
Avenue. The sheriff's office had to respond. On August 5th, 2025, we had two individuals, and I'm not going to label their names. It's in the report that I have here from the sheriff's office. on August 4th, two individuals, and I'm going to use the initial D and B or T, I
believe it was on that one, that ran away. They ran away. I had full law enforcement activity down my street on Lawrence Avenue, including canines. They came to my house at 9:00 p.m. that night, asked me if I felt safe. I do not feel safe in my own home, nor on my road anymore, because I don't know what's
coming through my door. I'm home a lot. I'm home alone, and I shouldn't have to feel this way. On August 12th, my neighbor informed me at 10 p.m. at night, heads up, we have a kid loose in the neighborhood. I said, informed me? I told her, "What do you mean? My ring's
been going off. My cameras are going off like crazy." And again, it was a car riding up and down, flying up and down Lawrence Avenue. They were looking for a kid that went the kid that went to my neighbor's house, rang his doorbell, and he just testified they wanted to use Snapchat. They didn't even know. They
knew the kid was gone, but that was a report they didn't have to report to the sheriff because they found the kid in 30 minutes. So my question to you all is, and this is not to in a defensive way, but in the condition of approval, and this is for condition,
I believe it is, it says in the condition, they are to have 247 supervision. And I'm going to tell you that 247 supervision as I'm describing right now, this isn't the first time. This isn't
the second time. The ones that are leaving that they find in 30 minutes, they don't have to report that to the sheriff. So again, your report log that you saw is inaccurate. There is no checks and balance to see when these kids are leaving, you know,
how many times they've evoped, where they have gone, what they're doing in the neighborhood. Now, let me get back to my statement of what else happened that same year. And this is just recently. And I again, I know I'm under oath, so I'm telling the truth. >> So, August, let's get back to August
12th. Again, that was the day that he went to the >> One second. I just want to make sure you're aware we do have a time limitation of three minutes. So >> would you grant me some more, please? >> I'm trying. >> One more minute. >> I already have. So >> one more minute, please. Go ahead, please. >> Okay. Thank you, sir. So on 105, there's
a sheriff's report that there's kids ran away again. The same one of the same minors again ran away. This is after 30 minutes of them being on the run. Remember that. So guess what? On 10:12 or I'm sorry, on 10:5, a kid runs down a
Facebook post and these kids are running down Quail Hollow. There's just no lights. There's no street lights. There's no sidewalks. They're running in the middle of the night. They're going to get killed. On 104 or I'm sorry, 10:12 or um I'm sorry, on 105, you had them run away again. On 10:14, you had
another neighbor that notified me that the boys were at her house on blue stripe and she was in the reports of calling the police. So, there should be a police report on that date, August or October 14th. on 10:22 2025, the same
boy ran away again. So again, we've got how many runaways? And these were just documented police reports, but my point is is that they don't document and the police don't show up for the ones they find like the one they showed up in my door. So again, I I want to thank you
for giving me that extra time. So I appreciate it. >> I want to know what you're on is on your mind. I just want to make sure everybody has a chance to speak. >> I understand. And I just want you to I what I would urge you guys is number one, vote no on Bear Creek because there's a lot of stuff going on that we as neighbors are dealing with. And
number two, I would ask the planning commissioners to revoke the condition of approval for Lawrence Avenue and no more condition of approval for that home. Thank you guys. You have a great day. >> Thank you. >> You guys want this? I can turn this in.
I don't know. >> Yeah, we can. If you would like to >> move to receive a file. >> Second. >> Have a motion. Second. All in favor? >> I >> I >> Giana, do you have uh somebody on WebEx? >> Um we do. We still have a few more
individuals here to speak. If you'd like to hear from the in person. >> Yeah, let's just hear from the WebEx first since we >> Are they online? They're not signed up online. >> Are they not? You're not ready. Okay. Now we go to the next person.
Who's the next person? >> Uh Amy Tol. We do have uh Commissioner Weightman online that would like to speak. Um so it's up to you if you would like to have him do it now. Go ahead. >> Commissioner Whiteitman, can you hear us?
Yes. Are we Are we elevated? >> You're elevated and we're ready to listen. >> Thank you. Thank you, board. First planning commission, thank you guys. Thank all of you for volunteering and and hearing items before we do and um I know it's a little out of out of the
ordinary to speak before the board. Again, Seth Waitman, County Commissioner, representative of District 2. Um, we do have, our office does have concerns with with this area, Lawrence A in general. We're trying to find
solutions to the road and to the subject site, this the subject that that we're talking about today. Um, there are numerous challenges. I do not think that this location uh is appropriate for this type of use. There's there's no question
that um programs like this are needed for our youth and to help help kids uh in in tough situations, but this this location is certainly in my opinion uh not appropriate. Um I I hope the board
considers to not expand uh the permit and and that we we we not we not allow additional additional folks here. Um, I appreciate all the residents who have traveled uh west across the
county to to share their concerns with the planning commission and I thank them for sharing all their concerns with our office um since we took office in 2022. So, I just wanted to to call in and and and say that I I stand with all the all
the folks of Lawrence A and uh I respectfully oppose uh this item. So, thank you, Mr. Chair. >> Uh thank you, Commissioner Wakeman. We appreciate your time and your consideration. We'll certainly take that under consideration as well. So, thank
you again. And if there's nothing else from your part and we'll move on to the next uh person from the public that would like to speak. >> Mr. Terry Tidwell is next on the list. And after that, we have Angelie Rodriguez.
>> Hi, my name's Terry Tidwell. had a home in Quail Hollow since 1989. >> I live at the corner of Coral Vine, Green Willow Run, 2702 Coralvine Lane. >> My property is completely fenced in. Uh, two gates right next to the house,
the only way on the property. December 4th, 2024, I was sitting down in Key West. My wife was getting her nails done. I got a call from Pasco County Sheriff's Department. And I said, "Well, this can't be good." Two children from a group home, children
from a group home had just broke into my house, kicked in the bottom light of my uh French door going outside. Once they went inside, they uh broke in my bedroom door where it was locked cuz I keep guns
in there. Now I keep them in a safe. Um trash place. opened every cabinet in the house, every closet in the house, took a knife to my leather briefcase, went in there, stole a bunch of old money I had, uh took two guns. One of the guns they
shot in the house. Now, these children, which of course are younger than 13, well, one of them was 16 and was on probation for burglary. And I heard a lady up here saying, "Well, ain't no felons at my house." No,
we don't do that. Well, he's in jail now and at his trial, unfortunately for him, he was 17 by then. So, now he's really looking at some time till he's 21. He's going to be in the joint. But all I'm saying is I got cameras. I didn't even have them
armed. I didn't know this group home was even in the neighborhood. And I live what about half a mile from it. Never had a I've never had a problem at this house in all the years I've owned it. But like I said, it's completely fenced in. Never had any never felt a threat
there at all. Now I keep my 12 gauge next to the front door. And if somebody comes at my my house in the morning busting on the door at 4, double lock buckshot's going to answer it. And I'll bet you they won't come back.
So, this right here is all the times I've been to the courthouse over Dade City to the hearings for these guys and they didn't show. Finally got to go there and one of them had a trial and boy that trial turned out good.
But I have neighbors that are widows. My neighbor across the street, her husband Larry, really good friend of mine, Purple Heart recipient, Vietnam veteran like me, died in November. She's scared.
She's scared. I got a friend down the street. Her name's Alex. Alexandra. Just found out she's stage four. She lives by herself. She's scared because of this. So these 13 year olds
that's 17 or 16 year old that's breaking into people's houses and escaping from there. It's just not right. There's too many old people and retired people in this neighborhood that don't have guns and don't have alarm systems.
>> We don't need this. >> We appreciate you being here and telling us about it. >> Thank you very much. >> The next individual I have signed up is a Miss Angelie Rodriguez and after that a Chemwell Forz.
>> Okay. Is that the last two? >> No, Mr. Chair. We have about five more individuals signed up. Good afternoon, commissioners. I am Angelie Rodriguez. I live on 27611 Lawrence Avenue. Um, I currently stay with my mother and my sister, which I do
have nieces and nephews that live with us on the residence. Um, I have had personal experiences with these said children. I feel like the Castros covered everything that is going on. I feel like Mr. Tidale did cover everything that is going on. It is a big
concern for the community and I just would like to say I really do hope that you guys vote no on Bear Creek and revoke the act on Lawrence Avenue because it's unacceptable. We're scared. My nieces range anywhere from 1 to 13
years old. They cannot go outside. They don't we do not feel safe for them to go outside. I have nieces and nephews and we feel fear for all of them. And I hope that you guys listen and take all of this into consideration and vote no. Thank you.
>> Thank you for coming. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Who was next? >> Next we have a Mr. Chemwell Forz. And after that we have a Miss Christy Zimmel. >> Hi. Good afternoon. My name is Kwellz. I
live in the residence of 26625 Florence Avenue. Oh Excuse my language. >> That's okay. >> My voice kind of went off. I do I mean that it was pretty much covered up. Mr. Castro and Mrs. Castro kind of said everything most likely I already had
read down and honestly I hope I hope I will know on Bear Creek and revoke on Lawrence Avenue. >> Okay. Thank you very much. >> Have a good one. Thank you. >> The next individual is a Miss Christy
Ziml. And after that we have Miss Dana Meyers. >> Good afternoon gentlemen. Christy Zimmer 3615 Pine Cone Court. You want to know what the violations of their existing conditional use permit is. Number one, residents are not handicapped and
disabled as defined by the Fair Housing Act or AB ADA. they are sexually offend sexually uh whatever they had provided you with the information that's also being advertised with FSU to get their counselors. Um number two, no advisory
board has been established. No resident member is on that board. They do not have any meetings. Number four, they failed to contact to they failed to contact law law enforcement in a timely basis or every basis. They do not contact law enforcement every time a kid
takes off like they should. Um, number six, constantly parking in the grass and in the road. There's too many vehicles there for that property to maintain the flow of traffic that they have created. Number seven, not complying with the rules and the regulations that you have
set forth. Number nine, continuing to violate all the special conditions that you have set forth. Number 10, conditions are enforceable. But when the county code enforcement doesn't even know what these conditions are to enforce, we have a major breakdown in communication that needs to be
corrected. This is not a a pl. My neighborhood in Lake Padet Estates has the perfect group home. It is for handicap and it is for disabled. We love those people in that home and those people in that home love the neighbors. That is an example of what a good group
home is for a community in a residential area. This particular project and this company is not. It sounds like your typical NGO like they're having to deal with right now in Minnesota. It's not pretty. It's all about the money and how much money they get per kid. If you
think that having 10 kids with this kind of degree level of problems in a house in a residential neighborhood is an okay situation, live next door to one and see what you're putting up with. These people don't deserve that. Um, they've already violated many of the conditions
on the permit that you've already approved. I would ask that you revoke those conditional per permits that you've already approved and do not issue another one for the new project. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. Next.
>> Next we have a Miss Dana Mayors and that is the last individual I have signed up to speak in person. >> All right. Thank you. >> Hi, I'm Dana Meyers, 8515 Gandandy Lane. >> Okay.
>> The things that I came to say today have already been said. So, no reason to get into that. But I did want to correct something. You guys started talking about the sign that was supposed to be in the front yard.
>> Okay. I live Can you put that? Okay. I live on the corner of Gandandy and nature. I look at this house every single day. >> Yeah. >> That sign was there for one day and for
that photo. That sign was taken down and thrown in the tra or not in the trash in some bushes. I pulled it out and I made a I took a picture of that sign and it was in the bushes.
>> Can I Can I just ask you to just take a deep breath for a minute before you continue? So, because I know you're upset and >> I'm upset because I'm hearing what these people say. >> I understand and you have every right to be. I just want you to >> We shouldn't even be here. I just want
you to feel comfortable about speaking. Okay. >> The type of home that she's asking you to continue needs needs we need to have one.
I understand her passion. >> But it needs to be in the right venue. It needs to be It is commercial. She's making money. It does not need to be in their backyard. Doesn't need to be in mine either.
Do not approve 10 children. I watch what's happening with six. You guys aren't looking. I'm in my backyard looking every day. That's them. It's ugly.
Okay. >> You wouldn't want to live there. You wouldn't want to see it. I hope you understand. Their garbage is out on the road every day. Every Friday, Saturday, Sunday. They
won't pick up the damn trash. They leave it out there for days. I go and I collect all the trash out of the front yard cuz potato chip bags, candy wrappers, their workers don't care about that. They don't care the wind blows and it blows
all over the neighborhood. So, I'm the one, my husband's the one. We're picking it up. They don't care. Their workers don't live there. They don't care about us. They don't care about that property.
They I have never seen less than six cars in a in that yard. There's not room for six cars. There's only six kids. So, if there are only six kids living in that house, you tell me why are there six
cars in the parking lot or in their parking lot? In the street. We don't park in the street in our neighborhood. Bear Creek is a bunch of pride people with pride and ownership. Theirs is in the yard, in the street.
I'm handicapped. I walk my dogs. I can't get through their street because they're parked blocking the sidewalk. I ask them to move. Yeah, I agree. I get that view. You're not They don't care about us.
They don't live there. We're not their neighbors. They don't try to interact with us at all. I hope you get my point. Please don't do that to us. I wouldn't do that to you.
>> Thank you very much. >> Okay. Was there one more? >> That was the last individual that I had signed up to speak, Mr. Chair. >> Okay. I think we have one somebody has a hand up like to come forward.
I don't think you've been sworn. >> We have not. >> Okay. So, let's do that. >> I do. >> Your name and address? >> Pastor Jen, Shady Hills Mission Chapel, 15925 Green Glenn Lane, um Shady Hills,
Florida. And I will say it it this is a difficult situation. I understand. I am uh uh what I would consider to be a local mission field pastor. I am in the field. Um I work with many community partners. Um and as a matter of fact, as
someone who provides shelter during the cold weather season, most recently, very recently, um and we have had um unfortunately kids who have aged out of foster care, who have nowhere to go, end
up at the church. and we are looking for resources to be able to get them safely housed. However, after listening to all the testimony today, I think most importantly, it it would be
honestly irresponsible to recommend because it sounds like they need to like maybe circle the wagons around the issues that they have currently been experiencing because, you know, to be a good neighbor means that you look out
for your neighbors. It should not be an adverse situation and not to say that that's never going to happen, but to respect, you know, your neighbors and without meeting with your neighbors and
and to say, "Hey, we want to expand to give them the opportunity for constructive criticism or feedback." But, you know, also I think that, you know, most importantly, and I will tell you, I'm here advocating because I have
church members who live in Bear Creek. And I can assure you those church members, they would be here that but they're working. And so, I said that I would come and and um and just impress uh upon each of you that they
are not in agreement. They have kids that, you know, are under the age of 17 living in their home. And um it is a difficult environment and landscape that we all are living in. But um you know,
it it right here says, you know, with regards to this particular thing, when I go to um it's either the comp plan or the land use code, but I apologize. is like um no negative impact on neighborhood quality or property values.
And unfortunately, I think based on what everyone has heard um with facts that have been provided from Pasco County Sheriff that at this point it doesn't sound like this would be a wise decision for this board, but also honestly for
their organization. I I clearly understand that there is a need for the work that they are doing, but you know, we have to do it effectively and in a way that is safe as well. So, I mean, I wouldn't want somebody pulling a gun on
my child, but clearly that's something that may happen if they expand. >> Thank you. >> All right. Thank you very much. >> I have a question, Mr. >> Yes. Sheriff for Miss Carowak. Miss Carowak. I so you're out there. I know you do a lot of work in the community. What are
your thoughts on the balance of where a home like this might be might be pro you know located or you have thoughts on it? Not that my rural community members would would be happy
my saying this, but you know, when I came before I I had put together very quickly a project for to come before the opioid um task force for opioid abatement funding. And the one location
that I had identified was um near the the juvenile facility that's off 52, you know, so where you have people that are, you know, I mean, they're aware of what's there. It's it's not, you know,
this almost this location is kind of a rude because you don't know what's there and you may think it's just somebody that doesn't care about their house, but you know, there could be danger behind what what is what is going on. So I
always I you know based on what I know to be true and what has been successful you know where you can create a community within that property it it helps to provide not only security for
the kids that are there individuals that are there also helps to provide security for the neighbors. Um, and it that would be based on what I've seen um to be successful
and you know I I'm an open book. I had a child of my my youngest son became a problem for my husband and I at the age of like 11. I was not equipped um you know regardless of what anybody thinks about me. I was a pretty good kid and um
and so I wasn't prepared to deal with this and so that's why I mean I really came with an open mind. Maybe there's something that I'm missing. Um, so I would have to say that, you know, this is very important work, but that being
said, I think it's work that needs to be done um with while you look for ways not only to protect your staff, the folks living there, but also to to
protect the community from the work that you know is is needed to be done. Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Okay. So, Chris, does that mean you have room in one of your schools? >> Well, we do have fencing around our
schools. >> Not for another couple years. >> There is fencing. >> Okay. So that um would the applicant like to come up and answer any of those questions or concerns? >> Sure. And I did take notes on some of
the complaints. >> So I will start with um at the property we have installed the big semic-ircular driveway at L the Lawrence Avenue home and the Bear Creek home are totally different homes. I want to start with that. However, we
did install the giant thermicircular driveway as required when we had the um alternative relief conditions imposed. We have constant case management, DCF, CPI, you name it that are coming out. If
they park on the street, they leave quickly. I don't know how often they are parking on the grass. I do know that we have plenty of parking on the driveway. the home supervisors are responsible for making sure that they're not parking on the grass. If that is the case, I
welcome any of the members of the neighborhood if they're finding that the road is impassible to contact me. I'm available to them a quick text message and I will have the issue alleviated immediately and we do these are employees so we would do consequence like dis progressive disciplinary
consequence if they're not upholding our standards. I don't know that that is happening until we get somewhere like this. And I'm grateful that the members of the Lawrence a neighborhood are here because I think that they're also a able to learn a little bit more about our program too because there is a lot of
mistruths in what there was, you know, reporting. Um just like the first um person, we also on September 12th invested money into repaving portions of the road all in front of our house and
our neighbor s I have the true blue paving came out. It was multiple thousand dollars. They filled all of our potholes. I have photos of it and in front of both of our neighbors homes. It was the first round. It's a costly expense. We did our first round and we
plan to do a new portion every year because it is uh the neighborhood's responsibility to maintain the street. It's not taken care of by the city or the the county. So, we've already started on that. I can't go any faster, but that first section was completed
September 12th. Um we have never been a nonprofit organization. We're we've never been. We do have a foundation and our foundation has not even opened yet, but it is in Sunbiz and we do intend to work towards victim services. So, people
who have been victims of sexual abuse, whether it's people that we are in um relationship with or not, as far as in our group homes, we do intend to do victim services with licensed clinicians so that they are also getting the healing too because they are the victim
of some sort of sexual abuse. Um, so that is why that foundation was created, but we have not, nothing has taken off with it yet. We hope to though. Um, and I don't know what is being talked about as it pertains to like the colleges
studying our kids. Um we were reached out to by some of the the larger Florida colleges about social work um graduates and working towards their clinical uh lensure and they have to get so many hours under a supervised clinician but
they're they're registered interns um and we can employ them because we have licensed clinical social workers that um work amongst our homes and they're able to supervise them as they're going for their lure. So that's the only involvement we have with the colleges. I'm not sure about the studying. Um
that's not anything I know of. Um we are not a DJJ program. We do not serve children who like we're not governed by DJJ in any way. We are licensed by the Department of Children and Families. Um I know that there was a comment about
the census because it's low. There's been no problems lately. The license allows 10. We have had nine kids in that home. it's still there. There's nine kids in that home. Um, and the license allows for 10. The problem that we don't have
10 is because sometimes children are required to have single rooms based on their case plans. We can't control that. Um, so there's nine kids. There's been nine kids. That hasn't changed. And you have seen the calls drastically decrease. And there hasn't been a change in the census.
Um there is a lot of questions surrounding our at risk license. At risk is just a department of children and families type of license. And with each license requires different requirements. At risk requires a higher level of supervision.
It requires just additional guidance and oversight by the department. And there's additional requirements that are put in place by the the um local CBC's, the child caring agents, like the where the the case management teams where they have to oversee further, you know,
scrutiny. I can tell you the DCF requirement is that there's six staff or six youth to one staff. Can I finish? Because >> I'll give you as much time as possible. >> Okay, I I'll be quick. I've only got a
couple more. >> Go crazy with it. No, >> no, I'm No. Um, DCF requires you have one staff per six children. We have one staff for every four children. DCF requires that you
have one awake overnight staff per 12 kids in a home. We have two, and that's only for nine kids. Always. There's two. It's a requirement. Um DCF does not require that we call the police when a
child runs away. A lot of homes allow unsupervised community involvement for k children. We don't we don't we don't serve child sexual offenders. We do not serve sex offenders. That's a common that's a big misconception from Lawrence
Avenue. And the last I I just I want to just tell you our involvement. >> I'll just make a comment though that although DCF may allow it, the conditions of approval at least for Lawrenceville or Lawrence Road >> within 30 minutes. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. And we've had a ton of police
involvement because of that. And we we it's not within 30 minutes of a child running away. It's within us losing line of sight and sound. We are a line of sight and sound. We chase after the kids. We go out. We're searching for them. We're looking for them. We're diligent about it. We have staff that
get hurt. We have workman's comp claims because of injury because they are out searching for these kids. So, yes, I hear what you're saying, but we go. We don't just let them run away and not follow them. Now, if they jump out of their bedroom window at 2:00 in the
morning and we find them during their bed check check, which is every 15 minutes, they might have had a few minutes leeway on us and then we're calling non-emergency immediately. I will say we have six homes. The only home that we have neighborhood
disgruntlement is with Wesley Chapel. We were talking about having Lawrence um neighborhood connections. We have a home in Brooksville and the gentleman next door, his wife passed away. We have our kids walk his dog. They raise his flag
and lower his flag every morning in a military the way the military does it because he's a retired veteran, but he's grieving, but he still wants that done. We keep his yard. We've helped him repair his fence. We bring him meals. Christmas time, he came and celebrated with us. He buys presents for the kids.
We give him gifts. Our property in Loots, which is Hillsboro County, same situation. We have excellent relationships with those neighbors. Our seminal group home, the same way. And I know that there's one person here from the actual community of the of Bear Creek, but I have all of the screenshots
from the Facebook group from Bear Creek talking about how they are so happy these kids are happy, how they are smiling, how they are are are like so grateful for them to be out in the neighborhood and be safe and how they're kind and they say hello. We don't have
that opportunity in Wesley Chapel because we we don't have the opportunity. we're turned away from, we're shied away from, they're scared of us, and it's a misconception that we would love to break. We would love them to know us. I understand these police records and these uh arguments that
they're saying. As soon as those have happened, that child could have been with us or it could have been at the next door neighbor's house as a regular community youth. We discharge them immediately. We do not serve kids with violent criminal histories. We don't.
And that is why you see the police going down because as soon as there's something that happens, we discharge those kids. We do not serve them. I I I don't really have a lot more that I can say other than I think that there
is a big misconception of what is happening at the Wesley Chapel group home. We've had this argument since the very first day when our other owner was in here with me um when we were doing the the exemption and the relationship
has never gotten better except for with our next door neighbor Sergio. He's fantastic. He works with us. He buys our kids gifts. He wants to he takes them out on boat charters. He's a fantastic man. And >> he
>> he has not sold yet. >> Excuse me just a minute. Listen, I want to tell everybody that's in the audience. I made sure that nobody interrupted you when you were speaking. If you're going to be here, you're going to be courteous both ways, coming and
going. That's the way it works here. If you can't be that way, then you're going to have to leave. So, let's continue. >> I'm not going to I'm not going to speak I'm almost done. I'm not going to speak on his reasons for selling, but we are very much in the loop. um because he has
communicated it with us with his wife and everything that's going on with his family. We he has asked us for different things to do for his property as his direct neighbor. Um our maintenance man for no benefit to us is out working with him to make sure his property is level
in one area because he's older and he wants to have it done before the selling of the home. The only good neighborhood relationship we have is right next door and he is selling for personal reasons not related to elevated.
>> Okay. Can I ask a question? >> Yes. >> I don't Are you done? >> Yes. >> Yeah. >> Okay. So, um, one of the stated allegations is you're violating the condition dealing with the
creation of the advisory body and having a member of the neighborhood within 2500 ft on the advisory body. You didn't I didn't hear any response to that. >> Oh, I sorry. I do have a note there. Sergio, Captain Sergio Edanis is on our
advisory board. We have a meeting every year. He lives directly next door. And with him leaving >> once a year, >> we have Well, we only have to have minutes once a year. We can meet every six months if we choose to. However, we talk to Captain Sergio all the time. I
mean, not in a a public setting or in a meeting, but he speaks with our attorney. They were just texting this morning because we have a contractor coming out to help him level his ground. So, we are in constant communication. >> But he's now left. No, he hasn't left as yet. >> He's leaving.
>> He's He just listed his house for sale. >> Okay. So, he's but he still resides there now. >> Yes. >> And then it says and a member of the county's community services department or commission on human trafficking. Who's that person?
>> I don't know her name. I'm not on the the advisory board. I'm on the board of directors. So, I would need to look into it. But it's um the same person that we've had since the get-go. We do all of our meetings with her. They do all of their meetings with her. But I could ask John Linton. He's our attorney. And he
would be able to tell me. >> You do have a member of Is it Which is it? Is it somebody from the community services department? >> No. Human Hum human trafficking coalition. And we are trying to have Christine Garrison join our advisory board as well who is human um services
administrator from Pasco County Sheriffs because we would like her insight on the development of our program. >> Okay. And then the other statement that was made is that the children in your facility do not have disabilities. I
didn't hear any response to that. Mental health and trauma are disabilities classified under the ADA. All of our children have diagnoses of mental health disorders. Every single one of them. >> It's no different than cancer, like
multiple things that are qualified as ADA disabilities. So I guess let's get to the to me the part of this that is probably the most troubling which is the allegation about children leaving the
facility. Um because I remember when this got approved the there was a lot of discussion about this would be 247 supervision. Clearly the representation was that it
would be rare that children would be leaving the facility unsupervised and um yes we there was a provision that you'd call the sheriff if that happened but it it seemed like that would be the exception rather than the rule.
Why are the children leaving the facility? I mean unsupervised. I mean I guess that >> how is that being allowed to happen? I mean, why is that occurring? >> We don't have any elopments that are occurring outside of like when they go to bed and they're jumping out their
windows. They're not aloping in the middle of the day. They're aloping at night thinking they can get away, get back to their families, get back to who whoever it is that they're trying to gain access to. They're not running away just in broad daylight and running down the street and we're not following them.
So what measures have you taken to reduce that overnight elopment that has been occurring? >> We have bedroom alarms in every door. We have window alarms on every window. We have audio only baby monitors approved through department of children and families so that we can hear if a child
were to be getting out of bed in between bed checks. We have documented every 15 minutes or more on record of the staff going in and putting eyes on their kids. If we have a child who is at risk, meaning like a more critical or acute in
their behavior at that time, the therapist puts them on a higher risk level and then there's a onetoone staff assigned to them. But if a child I know the situation that she was referring to where they were at their door at 4:15 in the morning that earlier that day, the
child went to court. He found out that his parents were being TPR, which is a termination of parental rights. Um, so that there was no hope for that child to ever return home to his mom and dad. And that night he was saying that he was
sad, grieving, wanting to go to bed, and he ran out of ran away in the middle of the night. Um, during that time, we were out searching for him. We called the law enforcement officers, which they were responding to our call, which is why they were driving by because officers
aren't really just driving by in that area. Um, but there are so many things that happen that cause these children just it's heartbreaking the things that they go through. >> Well, I understand, but you you also have to have a facility that operates in
a manner to try to reduce that as much as possible. How many of these measures have been u implemented recently? So, >> none. We've had these in place probably. I mean, we did just get the door alarms approved because that is a restriction. So we have to have everything approved.
The door alarms were only approved probably within the last quarter. >> So the window alarms had previously been approved. >> Yes. But the problem is is that the children are able to like turn them. They they can dismount disarm them. So as we have kids who are disarming alarms, then we're mounting them
outside. >> Okay. >> They're savvy. They're they're street smart kids. >> I guess what I'm getting at is is some of these issues like for instance Mr. Ted ball's breakin >> occurred after >> you've after after you've implemented
some of these measures. So I'm just trying to figure out how >> some of these elopments have occurred despite the measures that >> the alopotment that he's referring to that actually happened the night before and the children were hiding and then they went to his house which was all
blocked off still from the hurricanes and broken at 9:00 a.m. >> Um >> both of those kids have been were removed >> happened is irrelevant. The fact that they eloped is the issue. So >> we are not allowed. So I have been working with DCF because I'm trying to get the fire doors in. We are not
allowed to have fire doors. Fire doors, if you're familiar, are a delayed egress so that if a child's trying to alope, it won't allow them to and it sounds an alarm through the house for 10 seconds and then it opens. Um they will not allow that because of the it's too
restrictive. You have to be a a psychiatric imp inpatient facility to be able to have that type of restriction. >> Understand? >> So you mentioned that you don't have this issue in your other facility. >> Do you have this many alopments in your other facilities?
>> Or do you have the same kind of patients? >> So >> all the kids are the same. This age group is particularly difficult >> at this home. >> I'm just trying to figure out why do you have so many alopments at this facility versus your other facilities. But if you look month over month sir you would see
that there was a period where there was these elopments and that child was removed and now the elopments and the problems have drastically decreased. We've only had I believe two calls of service in the month of December. >> So the issues that most of the neighborhood speaking about is related
mostly to one child. >> I can tell you there was two children and neither of them are there anymore. Yes. You said you had five bedrooms >> at the Bear Creek Group home. Yes. >> The house built with five bedrooms. >> Yes. >> In 1989.
>> I don't know. I don't know when >> square foot house in 1989 was built with five bedrooms. >> Well, we didn't we didn't build any walls. >> Five bedrooms. >> We didn't build any walls. >> So, whatever was there was when we bought it. We've only been operating at the Bear Creek Group Home. Um, we just
had our relicure in August, so just over a year. >> Did when when did you buy the home? >> Probably March of the previous year. The licensing process take some time. >> Did someone do a someone do a permit check to see if those bedrooms were
legally permitted? >> I mean, it was all done through the county. I had to do all of our zoning and everything through the county. Well, I'm asking I'm not asking about the zoning. I'm asking did someone do a building permit check to see if the improvements to that house
>> were legally permitted. >> I don't >> should have been discussed at closing. >> Yeah, it would have we didn't have any outstanding leans or any documents outstanding when we purchased it. Nothing has been built or changed since we've owned a home. >> The fire sprinkler system was already
all installed. Everything was already there when we purchased. >> Fire sprinkler system was installed. What was the house before your occupancy? >> It was a group home. >> I see. >> And from the reports that I'm reading from the Facebook post, it was not very well taken care of and there was a lot
of problems there. And I think that is why the neighborhood is posting about how they are grateful for the kids being there and how happy they are and that they're kind and all good reports about the staff as well. >> None of them showed up to testify today.
No, >> but I mean I have the screenshots of the posts. >> I understand. >> So the other thing you didn't respond to was the discussion about the trash and that was at the Bear Creek facility.
There was somebody that complained about your trash. >> Yeah, I don't know about the trash. We have not received any complaints. Um we have trash pickup with two cans twice a week. I don't know of any complaints there. I don't know of any outstanding circumstances where trash has been all
over except for today. And if that's the case, then that's the first I'm hearing of the trash issue. Well, look, I mean, I think there's a lot of problems here that uh that have been brought to the surface, and I certainly, for one, don't think um this
demonstrates the ability to expand a program that has been having this many problems. So, I don't think you've earned the right to expand to 10 to 10 people. That's my personal opinion, and that's how I'm going to vote. So, I
would like to hear a motion. I think we've heard everybody speak. >> Can I ask Mr. Daniels to come back up for a second? >> Yeah, I was going to do the same. >> Mr. Daniels. So in our agenda memorandum, there's a
list of calls for service from sheriff's department to the Wesley Chapel facility into this facility. But what's not in our agenda is calls to adjacent properties like Mr. Kidwell,
>> do you have any information on how many like surrounding properties have called with complaints related to this facility >> and and especially in regards to the time frame around that? So if there was a particular spike in it, >> for instance, after this approval was
granted. >> Yes, sir. So uh so while we were here uh so I I took two actions. So I tried to look up as many addresses as I could find myself. Um, so I can tell you that uh 26414 Lawrence A uh we did receive a call for service on 81425
um regarding a report that two nights earlier a uh 15 to 18 year old male had showed up at the door uh rang the doorbell asking if he had Snapchat um and then fled fled from the residence. Uh that was reported to us I said two two nights delayed. Um I also asked our team to draw a box kind of around the
neighborhood specifically in the Lawrence A area. Uh and they found three additional calls for service. Uh 717205 which was a domestic a disturbance juvenile delayed uh Quail Hollow Boulevard and Green Green Willow Run. Uh
juveniles uh from location one uh were located by PSO at that intersection. Uh 101623 was a Bakerat uh juvenile was a resident of location one and went to um the home to get help not aggressively in that homeowner at uh at that location on
Pleasant Run called us and then on 8623 uh Baker Act at that same address as 10162023 juvenile was a resident of location 1 which is uh the Lawrence Avenue address and advised that the um advised that he wanted to kill himself and had run to to
that residence. Um I can also tell you so um the request that I had received was for calls for service for 8124 through 8125. I also did run um a a year-to-ate report. Um so uh 112 20226 we had the battery of a staff member
which I had spoke about earlier. uh 122925 uh Baker Act. 121325 uh CPI uh DCFCPI requested a deputy's assistance. 11525 was a Baker Act. Um
102525 there was a juvenile disturbance that led to a Baker Act. 912 2025 there was a suicide attempt. Uh and then I can tell you as the applicant noted uh there there was a um an increase. So, um, 105,
1013, 1017, 1019, 1022, and 1026. Uh, we had reports of runaways that were all related to to the same two individuals. >> Okay. >> Yeah. And and I didn't catch, I apologize, I didn't catch any additional addresses. Um, but if there are any other addresses you'd like me to look
at, happy to do that as well. >> That's perfect. I think we got a picture. Did Did we have anyone from code enforcement? >> Yeah, I wanted to ask code enforcement a question, too. Who do we have from county code enforcement here? >> You You are not on mute. You're
elevated. >> Can you hear us? Can you hear me now? >> Yep. >> Yes. >> Go ahead. >> Good afternoon, comm uh planning commission. This is uh Dave Ramika with Pasco County Code Compliance. I'm the field training officer for the east side
of the county. >> Okay. So, um Dave, you heard some of the testimony today about the um alleged violations of the conditions at um on Lawrence Avenue.
Have you all investigated any of those violations? And if so, what is the status of that investigation? >> So, um I looked up case history for that location. and I was the first one to go
out there and um we had a couple of them were for what you what they've been saying about parking in the grass or the right of way and um another one was a duplicate call and one was for trash and junk.
the um is when the officers went out there and it was me or Tyler who they were talking about before. There was no active violation when we went out there. I went out there for reported of someone parked
in the grass right away. Um we take pictures. We do we do all that. We close it out. I heard the statement about that they have a picture of Tyler in the background and then in the background of that uh the violations.
What they what they didn't say was is that he was next door taking care of another violation and was going to the uh group home next. And before he got over to the group home, they did move the cars.
And so that makes it, you know, we have to see the violation and we have to document the violation. And that case was also closed out as no violation because there wasn't one when we got there. But our history, from what I can find, nothing prior to August of last
year, and there's only been three calls since there. Tyler went out the other day for trash and junk. He picked up a couple napkins and a straw and threw it away for him and that's all he found. Now there is, you know, a little bit of a delay for us to getting out there
because of other calls and that, but the delays were no longer than a week. >> Okay. So, the only complaints you received are related to parking and trash. Have you not received any complaints related to
um unsupervised children in the neighborhood? >> No. >> No, not not that I can find in the uh system prior to uh me going out there. There's nothing inside of the uh Asella
that says that. There was also a statement made that you were unaware of the conditions of approval related to the Lawrence Avenue facility. Is that true? >> No, we have it documented. Tyler is uh
new new to that zone and um he was going out there to that group home, but even from what I read really a lot of their conditional uses are the land development code itself. So the complaints that we have gotten are the
basic land development code violations that we deal with every day. >> Well, it's not really accurate. Um there are very specific conditions. I'm asking whether you have a copy of >> Yes, sir. I do. the the approval the >> yes
>> the one that was approved on in 2022 and it's got conditions about it's got to be minors and it's they can't be more than certain number it's got certain types of residents and
>> they have to be supervised 247 those kinds of conditions those are not land development code typical land development code conditions >> no I no my statement was is that we the ones that we've gone out there that have
been called in have been typical land development code violations. >> Okay. >> We have not received anything outside of that. >> Yes, we do have a copy of the document that you're referring to and the problem with accessing it was the way it was
labeled inside of one of the cases and that has been corrected. >> Okay. Okay. But if you received a complaint related to these conditions, you would investigate it and take action if necessary. >> Yes.
>> But you haven't received a complaint to date other than parking and trash. >> Exactly. Yes, sir. That's correct. >> Thank you. All right. Any other questions, concerns?
A motion? I move to recommend denial of the request and looking at the conditional use attachment that would be based on item number one and I would specifically site
flu 1.10.1D under compatibility review. I would also cite number two that the conditional use will adversely affect or contribute to the deterioration of the quality of life of property values in the immediate
neighborhood. Three, the proposed conditional use is not consistent with the character of the surrounding area, including existing land use patterns. Four, as testimony has been given here
today, the proposed conditional use will create excessive parking congestion or otherwise affect public safety, will adversely affect the health, safety or welfare of the surrounding community or area. >> I I'll second it and I would add six to
that list as well. This is going to give the same reasons for denial on this. And as much as it pains me to do it for this facility because I benefited like Pastor Den for, you know, my older son from going through a group home, I just don't think this is the right location for for
um increasing the density of uh occupants at this house. >> So, we're in discussion now. Correct. >> Yeah. So, we have a first motion and a second. Any further discussion? >> So, yeah, I just for the record, I I have to echo what what um Chris said.
You know, there is a tremendous need for these types of homes. You know, I've been very heavily involved in fundraising and charitable work to try to build these types of places. Um applied for grants to um uh help um
people end human trafficking. Human trafficking is a terrible thing and it's a tremendous problem in Florida, tremendous problem in the United States. United States is number one consumer of human trafficking. So, I'll put that out there. There's a tremendous need for it. Um, and I've also seen where these group
homes can be um, okay and run well and if if they're run well, they can be suitable in some of these neighborhoods. That being said, um, given the history and and I appreciate everyone from the west the east side of the county driving
out to the west side to talk about what was going on over there uh, on Lawrence. Um, I just can't see how that they have demonstrated it being able to be run appropriately. Uh, at least not enough uh for this
moment. Now, maybe in the future after we get a better track record showing um them being good neighbors and and we can re-evaluate it, they can potentially apply for this uh again. But as of now, I just don't see enough evidence to justify
um expanding their existing operation. And you know, they'll they'll still be able to continue it under the Florida statutes for up to six, but until we can see a better documented um how they're run this organiz this uh this business and how this uh how they run this group
home, I I don't I'm not very good with moving forward with this. That's just my comment. >> Jamie, no. Fair enough. >> We're never going to be able to Excuse me. We can't speak from the
audience. I gave you lots of time, extra time, and I tried to be fair with everybody. Now it's our turn. >> Well, to be clear, you're allowed to comment when this goes to the board. This is a recommending body on this item. You can make whatever comments you want to make to the board of county commissioners.
>> No, I mean, I echo what was already said. I mean, obviously, there's a need. this isn't the right place and and I I I personally have concerns with the existing facility at Lawrence and asked myself why why would I want to approve another site like that moving in? I
mean, I I I'd like to talk about I mean, later after this motion, I mean, I don't know. Well, I guess we already talked about revocation of and I guess there's not really a code compliance issue and then that's maybe another issue. So, I'll stop talking, but that's my position.
>> Well, I think you need to take action on this. >> Yeah, take action on this item first and I'll bring it back. >> I'm I'm with you, Jamie. This just is not >> the appropriate location. And although the statutes may allow them to operate in a residential neighborhood, I will be sure to contact all of my state
legislators to work legislators to work my butt off to have that law changed. >> Yeah. Again, there's a tremendous need for it, but they got to be in the appropriate location, you know, and as Pastor Jen said, you know, um a rural location probably fits better
>> where you can't where you don't have a house 10t away um for people to alope to. It's a lot harder to alope when you're on 100 acres. So >> Chris, you've already spoken, Chris. >> Yeah. Well, and I don't think I vote on this one. So,
>> all right. And I can say that I speak uh from a wealth of experience. I have three of my own biological children, but I've also adopted four children of need. And I know how difficult those kids can
be. I know how hard it is to to to guide them, teach them, and uh bring them into into a position where they're productive members of society. In the meantime, you know, these residents
live in terror, and I think they have every right to feel that way. And I can't in good conscience uh vote to expand the facility. And I do agree with my colleagues here, several of my colleagues here, that really these
residential locations really aren't the right spot for for this type these types of facilities. you need to be in some kind of a a professional location or semi-private location or even a commercial location. Um
>> well, you know, today, Mr. Gray, >> this is a for-profit operation, >> right? >> Since when do we allow for-profit operations in people's residential neighborhoods? We don't. We wouldn't let a doctor's office move in the the residential neighborhood. We wouldn't
let a lawyer move in a residential neighborhood. >> So, you know, I think we're all compassionate people, but we all speak from experience and I can tell you >> my wife worked for Y. >> I certainly speak from experience. >> So, uh,
>> she worked at the rap house. >> I can't and in in good conscience vote to approve it. >> Um, so we have a motion. We have a second. Is there any further discussion? If not all in favor uh in favor of
declining the application signify by saying I >> I >> opposed like sign. Okay. Request is declined. Okay. Thank you. So we're re making a recommendation to the board of county commissioners that we don't think it's
appropriate and so you might want to attend the next board of county commissioner meeting. So they're the final decision making bodies. >> Well, if you guys want to see a video, >> no, we don't want to see that. Oh, but uh
>> I will remind all of you and the petitioner especially since you're going to come back for another hearing. Taunting the residents and acting univil in this forum is not going to help your case. I'm telling you that this is a place
where you need to remain civil. >> You have to show that you're a good neighbor. >> We Very good. >> I would suggest that you all just peacefully leave the room where the
officer will probably escort you out. Oh, I get it. >> Okay, thank you. >> All right. >> Okay, everybody. >> Everybody, >> that concludes our agenda for today. Mr. Chair, >> real quick before we do that, though.
>> Oh, sorry. Go ahead, Jamie. I mean, I don't I don't have a copy of the Lawrence approval, but what is the revocation procedure? How does that >> Should we wait for them to clear out so we can have >> Yeah, I think that'd be good.
>> I need to ask him to clear out. >> Please take your conversations outside. >> By the way, I forgot to introduce We have a law clerk with us for the summer, Ben Shala, who's in the audience. So, >> Oh, hey, Ben. Hey man,
>> what? Welcome. >> This is a great first meeting for you. >> He didn't want to sing. >> I'll bring a chair for you next time. >> But but hopefully you were all in good behavior today while we have our law. >> Yeah, >> we usually I I thought we usually make them sing, you know, and >> that's the sick.
>> You're going to have to sing us out when we close the meeting. >> Um I do have a copy of the approval and you c we can take enforcement action, but this is why I asked the question of our code enforcement officer. What >> complaints have we had? You can't take enforcement action unless there is a
demonstrated violation of the conditions of approval. >> I have not heard so far. We have some complaints. The complaints have been limited to parking and trash. We've investigated those complaints
related to parking and trash and not found a violation. Now, I'm not disputing the neighbors. There may in fact be violations out there of those conditions andor others, but we have to prove them up before we can take any
enforcement action. Enforcement action revocation is just one of many forms of enforcement. There's >> due process. >> I mean, we can cite them bring them to court. We can cite them for violation of the conditions. We can bring an injunction. I mean there's I mean there's many things we can do but all
that starts with actually finding a violation and to date we haven't our code enforcement department has not found a violation of the of our conditions of approval.
>> So question and the problem is that a lot of these neighbors have experienced things but until recently and there was one gentleman Mr. Castro that said he reported them, but he's the only one apparently that that actually reported this to code enforcement and that was
apparently very recently. So, and any alleged violations, I will remind the citizens that they can at any time contact code enforcement regarding any alleged violations of the conditions of approval. and >> David because a question and John might
have had the same question with this too, but as far as the elopments and and students leaving campus and the like, there's a condition here of approval with that. I mean, that's not necessarily going to come to code enforcement though. That's that's going to be a police and we document our code
enforcement can investigate that condition as well. >> But that call wouldn't necessarily come to them. That's that's my >> But they can investigate it with the >> they can investigate whether they made those calls. if well if there is that connection that's made. That's what I'm saying. >> Yes, they can investigate whether they can investigate whether they made that
call within 30 minutes. >> Okay, >> David. >> Yes. >> At the risk of sounding overly critical of staff or andor the county attorney's office, one of the things I found disturbing in >> everyone if you please call it down
>> was the condition about the board member. M >> there needed to be a board member that lived within 2500 ft. And then what we find out is well the board met once a year. >> Yeah. >> Well, I'm not sure that that was the
intent of that condition that well we'll just have some, you know, >> resident that shows up once a year for a fivem minute meeting. It's recorded and we've satisfied the condition. And I think that condition if that's going to happen in future applications needs to
be >> at least quarterly I would think. >> Yeah. There needs to be more frequent meetings and discussion about the operation >> and if there's more issues more >> where the where the local resident can participate in those that decision
making process. Well, I think the intent also was that the resident would try to represent the interest of the neighborhood and express any resident concerns to the facility and apparently that's not occurring. So, but I I don't disagree with you that
it's probably not consistent with the intent, but I'm not sure that it violates the strict language of the condition. the the issue of the >> what I'm suggesting is that we should the condition >> you need to have more frequent meetings. >> I don't disagree with you but that
condition is what it is >> well >> for the future the future in the but >> the future would have been the one today but you denied it so um so I'm saying if there was >> they still get their day before the board. >> Yeah. I'm just yes >> that's something for staff to kind of keep in mind that that might be something to look at as well as how that
person is nominated. It should be a vote by everyone in the neighborhood as opposed to someone that the facility cherrypicks to be on that board. >> So the person is representing the community >> truly represented by the community. Correct. >> David, I know you're in the middle. >> Maybe they should be appointed by the board of commissioners to be on that
board. No different than anybody here is appointed by the board of commissioners. John, I just want to make sure David finishes his >> So, what I heard from the neighbors is the most disturbing issue is the fact that they're leaving apparently unsupervised and that the allegation is they're not
making calls to the sheriff when they're leaving unsupervised. That, as far as I can tell, that complaint has never made it to our code enforcement department. >> So, that complaint has never made it to our code enforcement department. It's in our conditions of approval. If you if
you please I'm talking. Okay. This I'm not talking to you. I'm talking to the planning commission. So if you cannot speak out, I'd appreciate it. Um that complaint has never made it to our code enforcement department. And that's who the complaint needs to go to for
them to investigate. He heard a code enforcement officer say the only complaints he's received are related to trash and parking. So >> taking note >> can code enforcement request that information from the sheriff's
department. >> Code enforcement >> can the sheriff's department provide it to code enforcement? >> Yes, they can request information from each other. Yes. >> Okay. Well, then I would ask that the code enforcement division speak with the sheriff's department. >> Well, I mean >> Okay. But again, our code enforcement
department is complaint driven. Okay. So they're they're going to need to receive a complaint and Mr. Castro was apparently has started this process. So I commend him because of all the people that spoke today, he's the only one that said that he actually attempted to file
a complaint on this issue. So thank you, Mr. C. >> In the resident's defense, they may not have understo he's he's the a lot of them expressed concerns, but he's the only one that went that extra step to actually attempt to file a complaint with code enforcement. I didn't realize he didn't
get very far with it, but that's what needs to happen if if you want to something to happen with the Lawrence Avenue facility. >> Well, and and not to get into a lot of detail here about code enforcement, but I mean, does code enforcement physically
have to see the vehicle parked in the grass or in the street? Is a picture not valid proof that they were violating that condition? >> That's a question. >> I mean, I don't know. I don't know if he's still listening, but it it may be.
>> I mean, there was just all kinds of I mean, you know, the disrespect the disrespect of the staff when people tried to talk to him. >> I mean, the testimony that was given and you know, they're disrespectful of the people that asked him not to park on the grass. I mean, there's there was just a lot of things. I mean, >> yeah, just not being a good neighbor.
>> Yep. >> Not one to come back in and ask for another site >> or additional capacity. >> Yeah. So, anyway, I think For those of you who took the time to be here, I think you have gotten what you asked for and now you need to take it to
the next step. Go to the county commission meeting, make sure you follow through on it. But, uh, if you want to do something to try to get rid of the facility, I think our county attorney has made it clear that you have to have
substantial competent evidence and it has to be of record. So, you can't just call the sheriff's department and hope that it's going to get to code enforcement. You know, there's a procedure you have to follow. And if you don't follow it, you can't blame us. You
can't blame somebody on staff here. You know, it's going to have to be driven by your own your own neighbors and residences. So, now you know how to do it and what to do. I suggest you meet privately together and figure out what's
your next plan of action. >> Once code enforcement receives that, they have to investigate it. So, they'll they'll have to see it through. You have to get a you have to get a copy of the complaint that you filed and the report from the sheriff's office and
take it to code enforcement. >> Correct. >> So they have a record of it. >> The sheriff's office. >> If you don't want to do that, then that's on you. I just don't know. I just think >> and I and I got I'm gonna quit talking to you as an audience because we can't we're not supposed to do that.
>> You know, we're not taking testimony and I don't want to hear any more conversation about it. I think we've just told you exactly what needs to be done and I think we've given you a fair chance to express your concerns and now it's up to you. So,
so okay. Any other questions up here? If not, I hear a motion to >> second. Second. >> All in favor? >> I a unanimous second. >> That's right. Everybody second.