This week the attorney for the Wiregrass Ranch development in Wesley Chapel was before Pasco County Commissioners, and once again the commissioners zeroed in on its impact on local roads.  The planned Wiregrass community is so huge, the commissioners remain concerned over possible future traffic gridlock from this 5,100 acre community with some 8,500 homes.  With a projected addition of 40,000 residents over the next 20 years, in spite of the concessions Wiregrass developers have already made, the commission remains cautious.  Nevertheless, the board amended the county's long range plan to open the door for the project, according to Kevin Wiatrowski of the Tampa Tribune.  That amendment was critical for the project to gain state approval by mid March and come before the board for a "fin... 01/14/2007

The first phase of the development of Wiregrass Ranch by Dell Webb will be called the Wiregrass Country Club.  Amenities of this adult living community (55 years old +) include an 18 hole golf course, two rec centers and an indoor and outdoor pool.This phase will have about 2,300 single family homes and is located just north of S.R. 56 on Bruce B. Downs in the New Tampa / Wesley Chapel area.Dell Webb expects sales to begin early in 2008.   01/10/2007

Analysis of current active listings and solds for November for 3 communities in Wesley Chapel from the MLS System provides the following data for Single Family Homes:  Note:  November, and December are not typically high volume months for sales.Market Activity for Wesley Chapel Communities of Lexington Oaks, Meadow Pointe, & Seven OaksCommunityCurrent Actives:Lowest Listing PriceSq. FootageHighest Listing PriceSq. FootageLexington Oaks70$209,900              1,489$550,000              3,252 Meadow Pointe148$204,900              1,648 $475,000              3,337 Seven Oaks90$245,000              1,806 $779,900             3,450 CommunityNovember Solds:Lowest Sales Price Sq. Footage Highest Sales Price Sq. Footage Lexington Oaks5$217,800              1,784 $440,000              3,312 Mead... 12/28/2006

The Shops at Wiregrass located at SR 56 and Bruce B. Downs and located on some 67 acres is moving forward. The 750,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space will also feature open air cafes. JCPenney is one of the "anchor" stores and is already open, and Dillards has also committed too.  Additionally, there will be 100 other retail shops in this "open air" mall.  For a "virtual tour" of this planned mall click on TOUR.Other planned shopping malls in New Tampa / Wesley Chapel include:Cypress Creek Town Center Mall--East of I75 on S.R. 54, with approximately 1.3 million square feet and reported to be one of the largest regional malls in Tampa Bay with a delayed construction start of 2007. Lexington Oaks Plaza with 100,000 square feet of retail space Wesley Chapel Village Center to be... 12/26/2006

H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute was offered more than $20 million in incentives to build at the Wiregrass Ranch on as much as 100 acres by Pasco County.  Moffitt says it isn't enough.  Pasco representatives have commented that they feel they were just being used by Moffitt for Moffitt to get a better deal from Hillsborough County for their expansion.There are a few hospitals looking to expand in the same area in addition to Moffitt.  None received the CON (Certificate of Need) from the State in their first applications.We'll see how this plays out.  12/14/2006

The Lennar Corporation recently withdrew its plans from the county's review process for a 3,600 home community on Curley Road, in Wesley Chapel.  Ken Wagner, president of Lennar's Tampa Land Division is blaming excessive costs: "costs are escalating so high that it makes the project not viable".  Apparently Lennar wants to renegotiate its county mandated commitments on the Epperson Ranch project.  I will keep you informed whether this becomes a:  DEAL or NO DEAL! 12/08/2006

This impressive community in Wesley Chapel / New Tampa has it all.  Conveniently located for access to I-75 and I-275, Seven Oaks will have easy access to two planned malls:  The Cypress Creek Town Center and The Shops at Wiregrass which will have a combined retail space in excess of 2 million square feet.  The main entrance is flanked with two beautiful fountains and Seven Oaks offers amenities for all!                                                        $4.5 million SportsCore and Club:Coffee shop and Juice barFitness CenterGreat room for gathering/entertainmentActivity rooms for childrenTheatre for viewing moviesLocker room with showersPools:Spectacular free form resort poolJr. Olympic lap pool with waterslideChildren's water parkSports:Tennis CourtsBasketballSand VolleyballSoftba... 12/07/2006

New Tampa / Wesley Chapel:  Final approval for this 5,100 acre development of 8,500 single family homes, 5,000 multifamily homes, 3.2million square feet of retail space and 2 million square feet of office space is likely this month by the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council and the Pasco County Commissioners.  With an expected 35,000 residents and an estimated $243 million in property taxes to be paid by 2016, this planned development is just another example of the high growth New Tampa / Wesley Chapel is experiencing.Located between Bruce B. Downs and Meadow Pointe Boulevard in the New Tampa / Wesley Chapel area, it took five times for the developers to get to this point of pending approval.  The most recent rejection by Pasco County dealt with their insistence that the developer provi... 12/05/2006

Pasco county has experienced tremendous growth in recent years and the number of planned communities is growing daily.  Wesley Chapel, in Pasco County is growing faster than kudzu!  The residential growth and planned commercial growth including a 1.3 million square foot mall (Cypress Creek), the Wiregrass Shops, and the planned residential community of Wiregrass are all on the books in addition to several other malls within a short range of one another.A Pasco County consultant has propose raising the transportation impact fees on newly constructed single family homes from $3,928 to some $13,000.  Some new commercial buildings have a proposed increase that will more than double the current transportation impact fee of $30,208.Pasco County has formed a Task Force composed of residential ... 12/02/2006

There are alot of activities available near Wesley Chapel We had the opportunity to got to the Buccaneers vs Redskins game on Sunday.It takes about a half hour to get to Raymond James Stadium from Wesley Chapel.  Even as non fans we had a great time strolling around checking out the scene.  Tampa Skyline in the distance  Legends Field- Spring Training home of the Yankees is right across the street.  It was a festive and friendly crowd.  and the Bucs won the game 20-17.   11/20/2006

Located just west of I75 on SR 54 in Wesley Chapel is one of our favorite communities, Lexington Oaks.  Lexington Oaks has outstanding amenities and is very well located for shopping and work.  The lush, well maintained landscaping and pedestrian friendly design combine for a scenic, peaceful and inviting environment. Roads do not run straight in Lexington Oaks, they meander as if they are in no hurry at all.  Wide sidewalks run on both sides allowing neighbors to stroll, jog and bike throught the day and especially in the early evening.    wcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcMagnolia Trees and Oaks.  Landscaped and peaceful surroundings. wcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwwcwcw  wcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwc... 11/01/2006

Wesley Chapel Regional Park is under construction currently at the south-east corner of Old Overpass Rd and Boyette Rd in Wesley Chapel.  This location is about a mile from the WC High School, Weightman Middle School and WC Elementary School, all on Wells Rd.    The 144 acre $19 million Wesley Chapel Regional Park is slated to be completed in 2007.   When all is done, the park will have eight soccer fields, two football fields, four tennis courts, four basketball courts, a swimming center, a skate park, a recreation complex, nature areas, baseball, softball and tee-ball fields. wcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcw wcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcw As residents, we are excited.  This park is a welcome addition to th... 10/28/2006

I live and work in San Antonio Florida and the surrounding areas of New Tampa, Wesley Chaple, Land O Lakes, Zephryhills, Dade City, St. Leo, Trilby, Spring Hill.   If your looking for gated golf course communities, 55t communities, new construcion, villas, townhomes or single family homes or upscale communities with private ski lakes and much more this are has alot to offer as it is a very rapidly growing part of Tampa.  10/23/2006

On Weds evenings the Dairy Queen and Tuffy's Automotive at SR54 and Old Pasco Rd in Wesley Chapel sponsor a car show.  It's a good, friendly scene with people strolling around checking out the cars and enjoying some ice cream.   wcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcStop  in on Weds a little after 6pm for an enjoyable Wesley Chapel experience. More to come.....  Jeff 10/18/2006

Towne Centre at Wesley Chapel is a newer collection of retail, restaurants and services at the corner of SR54 and Old Pasco Rd.This location is very close to two of our favorite communities, Lexington Oaks and Westbrook Estates. (more about them to come) wcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcw Sweetbay is one of our favorite grocery stores.  It is new and clean with lots of variety.  The plaza also includes Beef-o-Brady's Family Sports Pub, Bob's Barber Shop, PostNet, Pinch-a-Penny Pool Supply  , 7-Eleven and a Dairy Queen.  On Weds evenings the classic cars are on display around the DQ and on Thurs evenings the custom Motorcycles are the show.  These are family friendly, fun events for all. more to come......  10/08/2006

 For a peaceful and enjoyable lunch in Wesley Chapel look to the outdoor patio of the Cypress Restaurant in the Saddlebrook Resort.   wcwcwcwcwccwcwcwcwcwcwcwccwcwccwcwcwcwcwccwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwccwwccwcwcwc The food is good, the lunch prices reasonable and the setting is beautiful.Of particular note is the Reuben Sandwich. If you like a good Reuben you really should try theirs.We watched cranes, ducks and turtles as we ate. This group of turtles was sharing a sunny log. wcwcwcwcwccwcwcwcwcwcwcwccwcwccwcwcwcwcwccwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwccwwccwcwcwc  To vist the resort you enter through their main gate on State Road 54 (about one mile east of I-75) It is not obvious with the guarded front entrance but the resort is open to the public.  When you pull up to the gate just let the... 10/02/2006

 Hollybrook Plaza shopping center at the corner of SR54 and Bruce B Downs Blvd in WC is only a few years old and includes Publix, Blockbuster, UPS Store, Coast Dental, Applebee's, Holiday Cafe, Johnny Carinos, Sonny's BBQ, a couple of banks, a Taco Bell and a Hess Gas Station.  wcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwc wcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwc Across the street on the north side of SR54 is Walgreens and Cap's Tiki Hut Seafood and Bar.  wcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwOn the west side of Bruce B Downs are Los Vallartas Mexican Restaurante (where we get our Mexican food fix) and Winners Sports Grill. wcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcwcw More to Come........  10/01/2006

     Sam’s Club opened last year in Wesley Chapel.  As Costco people who used to go to the first Costco (Price Club on Morena Blvd in San Diego in the 70’s), we tried to resist.  It was futile.  This is the nicest Sam’s Club in Florida.  Check it out.  Near the entrance to Seven Oaks, they are a block west of Bruce B Downs Blvd on State Rd 56 in Wesley Chapel and about 2 miles east of I-75.  Out in the front of the Sam’s lot is their gas station (members only), a couple of banks, some new restaurants, (Mexican food, bagel place, Subway) and some other local businesses.  Don’t get me wrong, we do still go to the Costco in Brandon about 25 minutes away and last week we walked though the new BJ’s Warehouse off I-75, between Home Depot and Lowe’s in New Tampa, (10 minutes away) but this Sam... 09/28/2006

2006 Population: 45,000   Wesley Chapel is a small but rapidly growing town in the lush, green setting of west central Florida.  Formerly orange groves and pasture land, the area is now home to an assortment of newly built communities alongside deer, horses, cows, hawks and big grey cranes which stroll down the side of the road.  So far the only gator we have seen has been at the zoo.Wesley Chapel is an area which is experiencing some exciting growth, including:The 144 acre $19 million Wesley Chapel Recreation Complex and Park, slated to be completed in 2007.   When all is done, the park will have eight soccer fields, two football fields, four tennis courts, four basketball courts, a swimming center, a skate park, a recreation complex, nature areas, baseball, softball and tee-ball field... 09/23/2006