The official position by Wesley Chapel's chamber of commerce is wait and see.
By JAMES THORNER
Published September 9, 2003
WESLEY CHAPEL - Bombarded by complaints about plans to turn Wesley Chapel into a city, the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce issued a statement Monday stressing it's not a party to the movement.
"We're getting a lot of phone calls from a lot of residents," chamber president Janice Cardwell Scott said. "People are surprised to learn we're not behind incorporation."
The confusion stems from the fact that chamber members Jim Williams and Russ Miller are among the leaders of a self-appointed committee studying incorporation.
Becoming a city might help the people wrest more control over development in the fast-growing suburb, but property taxes would increase to pay for the extra government. Opponents have rallied around the prospect of higher taxes.
A city of Wesley Chapel would encompass 11 percent of the county's land area and have about 28,000 residents and 10,000 homes. It would be about 9 miles wide, from Cypress Creek to Morris Bridge roads. North to south, it would run roughly 8 miles from about Elam to County Line roads.
The boundaries would take in big neighborhoods such as Lexington Oaks, Meadow Pointe, Seven Oaks and New River.
To get an incorporation referendum on the ballot in November 2004, the committee needs to complete a feasibility study by December. The document could run more than 100 pages. It's far from certain the committee can meet the deadline.
The chamber has requested the incorporation committee share details of the plan, but the committee has declined for lack of preparation, Scott said. So the chamber's official position remains wait and see.
"Until we find out all the facts it's hard to take a stance," Scott said.
-James Thorner covers growth and development in Pasco County. He can be reached at 813 909-4613 or toll-free 1-800-333-7505, ext. 4613. His e-mail address is thorner@sptimes.com
