CDD Chair Matt Lewis began by asking for audience comments. Sturbridge resident Pam Wilcox and Glenfield resident Aaron Garmen both raised questions regarding the proposed trail project that had been discussed during the June meeting. Lewis said Supervisor Greg Chesney had prepared a presentation and he turned the floor over to him.
Chesney explained that the project was born out of District Engineer Robert Dvorak’s vision, adding that Dvorak had looked at the CDD maps and recognized that our communities could potentially be connected through a trail system.
Chesney said his mission as a CDD Supervisor is “Enhancing community infrastructure to support a safe, vibrant environment where families thrive.”
He noted that what the CDD is proposing is a safe, accessible path system for all ages that would connect parks, schools and neighborhoods through the addition of roughly 5 miles of trails and boardwalks. Chesney added that trail systems are a popular amenity in newer neighborhoods and that the CDD would be working with Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) to mitigate impacts to wildlife and conservation.
Chesney noted that one of the biggest concerns raised through social media chatter was the potential cost to residents. During the June meeting, CDD supervisors voted to add a line item for a 20-year bond in the amount of $11,766,000 to the public hearing for the 2025/26 budget, which is what raised alarm bells for several residents in the audience. Chesney explained that during initial bond financing discussions in October, the original estimate of cost per unit per year for 20 years was $215. He emphasized that this was a preliminary number based on very conservative interest rates and it could likely be lower.
Regarding return on investment, Chesney said he looked at a study conducted by the National Association of Realtors that found that homes near community trails see a 3% increase in home value. In Westchase, the community-wide impact would be approximately $60 million. “We put in $12 million; we get $60 million. So, when you sell your house, you should see a return,” he said. He also pointed out that the addition of a trail system will be one more draw for buyers to choose our 30-year-old homes over a new build. “Why Westchase? Well, we have nature, we’re close to the airport and now, we’ll have a new trail system,” Chesney said. “That’s what we do here,” he added, pointing to other improvements like the recent refurbishment of the West Park Village Plaza.
Supervisor Reggie Gillis added that the CDD had conducted two long-range planning surveys (an initial survey in November of 2023 and a follow-up survey that included a question specific to the pursuit of a community-wide trail project in August of 2024). “This was not something done in a vacuum,” he said.
As for where the project stands, Chesney explained that the board had hired bond counsel, engaged a landscape architect (no contract yet), and Dvorak attended an initial permit meeting with SWFWMD that raised no red flags.
Chesney then opened the floor to comments. Cheryl Shaughnessy of Stockbridge raised several concerns. She noted that our 30-year-old homes that were once in a mild flood risk zone are now in a moderate zone. The capital contribution fee (cost to buy into the HOA) is now $2,500. “It just seems to me the last thing I’m concerned about is a trail system,” she said. She also raised concerns with the maintenance of the trail system and potential problems with e-scooters.
Chesney pointed out that the initial Westchase CDD 30-year bond had been paid off, resulting in fees that are lower than they were when many residents moved into the community. Supervisor Jim Wimsatt added that he would encourage residents to compare Westchase CDD fees to the fees of other communities, which are substantially higher.
Glenfield resident Lorrie Kohli said she and her husband are avid cyclists and are excited about the potential for a trail system because Westchase is not a safe place to ride bikes. Regarding e-scooter concerns, Kohli asked if speed limit signs could be added.
Chesney reiterated that the design phase had not begun and encouraged residents to be part of those discussions when/if the project reaches the design phase. Wimsatt added that the board is very aware of the issue with e-scooters and it is top of mind.
Supervisor Chris Barrett, who attended by phone, said he had been an original proponent of the trail system. He added that he knows the potential addition of $200+ dollars on the tax bill would be a sacrifice, but the CDD board would not be considering the trail project if it didn’t offer a bigger bang for our buck down the road. He then reminded the audience that when the Citrus Park Drive extension was originally being pitched, the Bureau of County Commissioners had also pitched a trail system that would run just north of Westchase and connect to the Skyway trail in Pinellas County. He said he was hoping to prevail upon the BOCC to dust off that plan and potentially connect the trail systems so Westchase could have an even longer trail system at our disposal.
Barrett went on to add that he had lived in Westchase since 1998 and had seen several good ideas fizzle out because they required an assessment increase. “I think this is one of those opportunities that if we choke on the initial cost, people will look back and say that was a missed opportunity,” Barrett said.
GAC Committee liaison Mark Zais asked if funding of the trail project would impact prioritization of funding for other projects like sidewalk repairs. Chesney said no and reminded the audience that trail project funding would be a separate line item from the CDD’s operating and maintenance (O&M) budget.
Glenfield resident Zach Ashley asked if trail maintenance costs would be part of the estimated $215 annual fee. Chesney said maintenance would come out of the CDD’s O&M budget. Ashley responded that costs could then potentially go up on that side of things, adding that was part of his concern – that the costs of everything from taxes to utilities are going up. “This seems like more of a passion project than something that needs to be done,” he said. Ashley also expressed concern with the speed with which the project was moving forward.
Chesney responded that there had been some misunderstanding on the timeline. He clarified that the vote at the June 3 CDD meeting to add a line item for the trail project to the public budget hearing was necessary to allow the CDD board to engage bond counsel to explore financing for the project.
McCormick added that in August, the board will look at assessment methodologies and will come up with a high-water mark for assessments and then a hearing will be scheduled, and notices will go out. “We were originally targeting August, but we realized that was not feasible,” she said.
Editor’s Note: At the conclusion of the meeting, there was some confusion on public hearing dates. Following the meeting, WOW reached out to McCormick to confirm that the Aug. 5 public hearing stands and will only cover a vote on the 2025-26 O&M budget that dictates annual assessments residents currently pay. The earliest a public hearing will be held for assessments for the separate line item for trail funding will be Sept. 2. Residents will receive letters in the mail for the Aug. 5 public hearing and any future public hearings. McCormick emphasized that a public hearing is necessary before any additional assessments can be levied.
Wilcox asked if public comments have any influence on the board’s vote on the trail project. “If I hear something from the public that makes me think this might be a bad idea, then of course that is going to affect my vote,” Wimsatt replied. Wilcox said that it seemed like if a straw poll right was taken now, all supervisors would be in favor. “I think it is too early to tell,” Wimsatt replied. “I don’t know what the design looks like, I don’t know the impact, I like the concept, but I need the details before I say whether I’m in favor of it.”
McCormick reminded the audience that, assuming assessments are voted on when that public hearing takes place, if the board learns something new and decides they don’t want to move forward, they can tap the brakes.
“The public meeting sets the high-water mark – this is the most the assessment would be. Here is a budget we could potentially have to work with,” Wimsatt explained.
“Just because you approve the amount in September, doesn’t mean the trail project is approved?” Wilcox asked.
“No and it doesn’t mean the assessment is imposed,” Wimsatt answered. “It’s just saying this is the most we could spend on this. It’s permission to spend that money.”
Dvorak spoke to audience concerns of impacts on wildlife/conservation and explained that any trails cutting through wetlands would be an elevated boardwalk mandated to be above the 100-year flood plain, which also minimizes the impact to wildlife. He said that during his initial meeting with SWFWMD, officials noted that if there are trees that need to be removed (which should be minimal), it would require mitigation by either planting a similar species nearby or purchasing mitigation credits. Dvorak said both are very common options.
Wilcox expressed concern that the trail project could pull resources/attention from other areas of maintenance, citing pond clean out as an example.
Gillis chimed in that it’s important to put some value on change and the ability to enhance the community. “It’s not an either/or. You can do both. That is why it is a separate line item,” he said. “If we feel like we need to do more for the ponds, we can increase that line item. This is a project to look at long-range planning to enhance the community.”
Rough Trail Project Timeline
CDD Staff worked with Landscape Architect Ivy Clinton to create a rough project timeline, should the board vote to move forward.
- Board meeting vote to approve bond funding (Sept. 2 at the earliest)
- Approve contract for scope and fee with consulting and design firm VHB, most likely in October.
- Pre-design phase: conservation, entitlement, environmental, property and biological surveys. 3-6 months
- Design phase: engineering, construction plans, cost analysis. 6-9 months
- Permitting: completed construction plans submitted to various entities to include the County, SWFWMD, Department of Environmental Protection and TECO. This can take several months to complete.
- Once permitting is in place, the bid process to acquire a contractor can begin and can take several months.
- Conservative estimates put construction start about 18 months from now.
It is important to note that there will be multiple times when the board needs to approve progress and public opinion will be heard.