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Westchase to hire landscaping adviser

A consultant will list landscaping needs that Westchase might be able to contract out.

By ELIZABETH MILLER
Published March 4, 2005

WESTCHASE - Seeking to head off complaints and get the most for its landscaping dollars, the Westchase community development district is hiring a consultant.

The decision, which will cost about $30,000, came after a packed meeting Tuesday night at the Westchase Swim and Tennis Center.

Frustration has mounted in recent months over the area's curb appeal.

Among other things, some homeowners think the management company should reimburse the taxing district for grass that died because the sprinklers weren't working properly.

While Community Association president Jim Mills criticized the management company, taxing board members Tuesday night were not out to place blame. They plan to keep the company, Severn Trent, on board. But they are seeking bids for the landscaping part of the job to see if they can save money by outsourcing.

Landscaping consultant OLM Inc. will help by developing a list of landscaping needs that Westchase might be able to contract out. OLM, which specializes in landscape contracts for large-scale communities, stepped in two years ago when Tampa Palms decided to switch from in-house landscaping to outsourcing.

"We just need to get things moving," said Bill Seighman of Keswick Forest, who approved of the decision to hire OLM.

Seighman's wife, Victoria, agreed. "We're tired of the arguing back and forth," she said.

Mills also was happy with the taxing district's response. "There seems to be a new sense of urgency," he said.

The taxing district will have a special board meeting March 29 to review OLM's recommendations, along with a residents forum where the public can comment. The meeting will be at the Swim and Tennis Center at 10405 Countryway Blvd.

[Last modified March 3, 2005, 09:12:11]