HERNANDO – Several issues that have threatened the quality of life in Hernando County over the last year have taken exception to the adage “you can’t fight city hall,” or in this case county government. Neighborhoods ranging from Timber Pines to Ridge Manor to Glenn Lakes have been successful in working with county leaders to protect their homes and neighborhoods from undesirable development.
A landmark example took place nearly a year ago when the Timber Pines neighborhood was up in arms over a proposed three-story, 60,000 square foot mini storage facility proposed for a small parcel at the entrance to the neighborhood. The Planning Commission recommended approval, but County Commissioners heard from the neighbors and unanimously denied the rezoning. Their vote shut down the proposal that was described as “a substantial eyesore to the community,” by Timber Pines General Manager Mark Nordman.
Late last year, a proposed outdoor gun range and training center north of Weeki Wachee posed safety and quality of life concerns to some residents of Glen Lakes. David Lopez, an attorney for Glen Lakes property owners, called it an “intrusive land use” and described how daily gun fire could become a part of the residents’ lives. The County Commission voted 4-0 to reject the rezoning.
This year, the Hernando County Commission has worked with residents of Hernando Beach who want to protect their residential community from expanded commercial fishing activity. Commissioners listened to resident concerns and ultimately restricted the proposed expansion in shrimp boat activity, in support of the neighborhood.
“It has been a priority of mine and my fellow county commissioners to protect our neighborhoods and direct new growth and development to the appropriate places,” said District 1 County Commissioner Nick Nicholson. “We live in this community and understand our families want safe and beautiful neighborhoods. Our record shows that we not only listen to residents but work with them to protect our neighborhoods.”
Nicholson added that other pro-neighborhood actions included rejecting water towers in the middle of the Ridge Manor neighborhood and ensuring re-use water continued to flow to Timber Pines.
It should be noted that over the last several weeks I’ve had several opportunities to interview local, state, and federal politicians regarding their current campaigns. The results of those interviews varied from discussions on their career accomplishments to debate over scandals and questionable judgement calls.
Commissioner Nicholson offered to sit down with me on more than one occasion and even agreed to an on-camera interview which will be released later this week. And yes, I ask the question that’s on everyone’s mind…
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Now if these people would do something about making people clean up their properties in ALL neighborhoods we would be getting somewhere.
Yes you’re right. Notice these are the ” better neighborhoods” to live in.. This was stated to me by a resident of Timber Pines. Too bad all areas can’t be kept looking good. I’ve notified the Code Enforcement 5 times about the house across the st. w/ grass that needs a sheep to clean up. They keep saying it’s not at least 18″ county code. Bull it’s not. It exceeds that. Guess it depends where you live and what commissioners are your neighbors………
I completely agree with you.
Timber Pines and Glen Lakes are primarily concerned about property values, as well as their quality of life. Both are valid concerns.
Unfortunately the quality of life and property values for those living elsewhere in the county, doesn’t seem as important.
Look at the number of occupied units with waist high weeds, derelict vehicles, piles of wood and other outright trash. There are cases of RV trailers being allowed to be kept on, resided in and hooked into water, electric and septic, next to occupied homes. While it could be overlooked for a weekend visit, when it’s been ongoing for years; there is a problem.
The number of vacant / abandoned structures are many and most are not being kept up and maintained on even a minimal level.
If a property is band owned, the county should have the power to enforce the bank or legal owner, into properly keeping them from becoming a public nuisance and potential health hazard.
Same with vacant lots. The owners should be required to do at least bi-annual clearing of them within 15 to 20 feet from the roadway. This would help with visibility issues, especially at intersections. If the owners refuse or otherwise do not take care of their property, the county could take bids to do it and then go through the process of placing a lien against the property, to recover those costs if / when, the property is transferred or sold.
Wanting a clean, safe, community, wanting ‘quality of life’ and being concerned about one’s property values; should not be something limited only to those with the ‘right address’ or connections.
I think these neighborhood “wins” are the result of having a strong neighborhood association in the area. Each of these areas banded together and showed solidarity against the threat.
can you make the people at timber pines retake there dirver licences over,they cant drive for nothing.
Ok, why in name of Real News Real Fast, would you post a picture of these men from the knees to the shoulder…(cutting off their heads)? It’s embarrassing how you diss people.
I fixed the image… It was not intentional
I agree, clean up Hernando county starting with the human trash and garbage that have landed here. This article is but an example of a privileged few getting there way and individuals can not get code enforcement to visit and issue citations to the homes that clearly need it becaus of cut backs. And, why hadn’t Nick resigned after his train derailment, a known criminal, drugs and prostitutes, only in Hernando county. It would be nice if we could sweep the current group of self serving commisoners out this election ad get folks who can do the job for all of our county.
They need to focus on the whole county instead of just the well off, deed restricted areas. I do not see any diversity in what is being built here. How many Applebee’s, Chilli’s and Walmart’s do we need here. Way too much repetition and NO diversity.
or you could just learn to cook and farm..lol might throw some diversity in your life.. what this town did prior.
Awesome update - sounds like Commisioner Nicholson is on top of the job for everyone. In light of recent events, I’m voting for Commissioner Nicholson.
I will be voting AGAINST Commisioner Nicholson.
He is a CRIMINAL & should not be on our BOC!
No but lets continue to build more of God’s waiting rooms. 3 story high , what type of revenue does this bring ? Nothing but higher Fire Taxes and no income for local businesses . Oh wait access health care would benefit. This county and its commissioners are a joke …..
hospitals are private companies..lol smh. read a book
May I ask what you have gotten involved in or what solutions you have presented to the BOCC to work with? Just curious, as my observations people complain but never provide solutions.
Hernando Beach has formed a Governmental Affairs Committee through our HBPOA. We have found that by having a small group to work with the community and the commissioners that the BOCC has listened and tried to work with us. Attending many of the BOCC meetings I hear people complaining, but seldom hear the citizens provide any codes or other evidence to make their case. I guarantee you if you bring your neighbors with you to Brooksville and do your home work, the BOCC will listen and try to resolve the issue.
We have found the current group of Commissioners to work well together rather than fighting among themselves. Putting personal issues aside (as you can find dirt if you dig long enough and there are two sides to every story) I prefer having a County Commission working for the people and working together, instead of working for special interest groups and fighting among themselves. I will vote to re-elect our current commissioners and hope that the vacancies will be filled with newer, younger blood so we can have experience and new ideas combined.
If we could only Clean up the human trash here it would help property values alot it has become so disgusting ugh , what planet has this influx of human garbage come from
If I had to guess, probably New York, Indiana and Ohio.
You know…I am so tired of the Timber Pines snobs. I have no pity for them. I had a disabled friend who lived in there and was a prisoner in his home. They told him he couldn’t ride his electric chair on the roads…but golf carts were ok (he was a stroke victim). They also told him he could not be near the pools. They were saying he might fall in. Oh yeah , he couldn’t ride his chair on the edge of the grass either and gave him what-for because he had to park his handicap equipped van in the driveway because the lift on the back prevented the garage door from closing, plus other petty things. I would make them pay for everything they demand.
Oh but they keep on approving building and construction in the Mariner Blvd and west Cortez Blvd areas where traffic and congestion is a nightmare already. More buildings approved in the Mariner area, and they recently OK’d a giant complex just west of Oak Hill. Real idiots to approve this.
Tom, very good story and comments from concerned taxpayers who just want to reside in a good clean, safe environment. Unfortunately as stated all areas of the county are not that way. Bad apples reside everywhere including businesses on all our major streets. Some of these business properties are junk yards. Why can’t the county do somethings to clean em up? In addition, more communities than not have sign restrictions. That is, businesses cannot erect the 30 to 50 foot high neon signs but instead only signs that are no more than 10 foot high. Really improves the retail landscape and clutter.
I have an ugly abandoned foundation for a view. I am sure many others have abandoned homes on their streets.
Tom Lemons, Is there any way you can do an investigation into why the sewer plant in front of Wal-Mart on 19 is still in operation.It was supposed to be closed down but Hernando County made a deal with the devil aka Timber Pines for reclaimed water. Now the residents and shoppers at those stores have to smell that wretched smell for several more years. It has been said that Timber Pines spoke up at a commission meeting and said we will not vote for the current commissioner if they didn’t get their way. Well they got their wish. Now when I shop there I want to puke.
But there has to be a balance. Glen Lakes fought the opening of a Publix in their neighborhood. Publix prevailed and we note lots and lots of Glen Lakes folks shopping there. If anything, I think their property values are increased by convenient shopping near their homes. Sometimes people have to think before automatically jumping up and saying “Not in my backyard.”
The real problem in Hernando county is….lack of leadership and inovatition. Consumer based companies like Walmart, Mc Donalds, Target are all lowskill.minimum wage jobs. Where is the industry, tech companies, world class medical? The largest employer is the county! The quality young leople leave and the ones that move in eventually leave for opportunity. Hernando needs change bigtime. Where are the town centers, Parks and rec is a joke…Belly Dance lessons? What about a nice Senior Center with little dance, daily lunches, bingo,quilt making. Again poor leadership. The best part is federal grants would fund a large portion of things this xounty needs. Not every 70 yo can afford the Y.
Many years ago, I had heard that Amazon was going to build a distribution in Florida, and was looking around for a place to build it. No, the jobs would most likely not be the “high end”-type jobs, but there would be hundreds of jobs, anyway. My husband went to one of the higher ups in the government and told him to go after this. After all, we have the space, the airport, and easy access to both 75 and the Suncoast parkway.. What happened? You see for yourself. They are now in other places, not Hernando County. The same went true post Katrina, when the company that manufactures Henry rifles was severely flooded, in democratic controlled, gun-free Connecticut.. No, they were not looking to move, per se, but the invitation to allow them to move would also have been a bonus for Hernando County. Do suggestions like these just go on deaf ears? It looks like they do. Our government is way too big. No one is responsible or accountable for anything. Imagine…you actually need a BUILDING PERMIT to replace a window in your home! We are being nickled and dimed for crap services, that have to be paid for in “gold”.
Only the rich neighborhood gets a quality life we have to deal with loose dogs, meth heads, thiefs and people running 80 mph down Deltona and no one does anthing screw you we’ll vote you out.
Don’t get me on lose dogs! I emailed animal control many pictures of one dog belonging to a neighbor down the street. This dog was running lose for YEARS. The pictures were dated. FINALLY, someone shows up. Their excuse,…”We did not see it running lose”. Yes. the dog is gone, now. It FINALLY DIED! They have done it, again, with a new dog. That dog tried to climb over our chain link fence to get to our dogs, secure in our back yard. AC went to their house. Of course, “no one was home”, which AC said, usually means they are hiding, which proves guilt. That dog has not been SEEN running lose, again, but there is plenty of “evidence” in our yard that it is.
As I have said many times before…a HUGE problem with the county….Spring Hill is mainly what I talk about, here, is CODE ENFORCEMENT! That department needs to be made to either do their job, or be disbanded, entirely. Of course, we all would rather they do their job, for which I assume, like the rest, are very handsomely paid. The ONLY way you can complain about an issue to to go into that office, physically, and complain. They do not take phone calls or emails. Wouldn’t it be prudent should they be made to accept emails with the attached pictures as proof, of a violation? Why not? Because, then, we would have actual proof that a complaint was lodged? No, they just want to see your face, then, most likely, lambaste you for having the nerve to complain. A long time ago, we actually saw the truck drive down our street. Being a cul-de-sac, we ran out to catch it on the way out. We SHOWED them the TWO monstrous trailers, parked in a yard, within view, grass growing up their sides. That picture is even shown on the real estate map of the house. Their response…”we did not see them being parked there” WHAT??? Make CODE ENFORCEMENT accept emails and PROOF that violations are being comitted, and make them respond to those emails. No wonder this town is “going to Hell in an hand basket”, as they say.
For all of you home owners who are here to complain that “this and that” are happening in your neighborhood, take Diane Greenwell’s advice and get your neighbors to form a group and bring your thoughts to code enforcement. Whenever possible, find the county statue that prohibits the perceived violation. This would add strength to your argument. Just because someone doesn’t like something they see or they keep their property’s condition differently than you, this in itself does not mean laws or codes are being broken.
I invite all commisioners to tour highland lakes, and give the wealthy HOAs’ a break. We have drugs, people stealing electricity, yards that look like auto salvage yards ,etc. Folks that go to Church in the Wildwood get to see the heaps of trash on Country rd every Sunday. Dogs have been reported and the reply is “we really can’t do anything unless we see it ourselves” , or” take a picture”. I am sure the “eyesore”approach could be exercised in several other areas than affluent H.O.A.s. Hop in your cars or rent a bus and all of you tour the county you were elected to serve. Boots on the ground is a much more effective way of getting the broad picture.