Last week, the county’s Development Review Committee authorized conversion of the 18-hole course into a residential community of up to 389 single-family homes despite objections from neighbors. The successful pitch came two months after attorney Barbara Wilhite asked for a delay during a January hearing when DRC members expressed doubts about compatibility of a new, dense development with an existing rural-flavored neighborhood.

The course, owned by Andre Carollo’s Pasco Office Park LLC, is at 6225 Old Pasco Road, a mile north of Wesley Chapel Boulevard. Among the concessions to neighbors, Carollo eliminated proposed town homes, increased the buffering distance from his project to existing homes, bolstered planned drainage improvements, and agreed to a binding conceptual plan to eliminate future alterations. Forty-nine percent of the 175-acre course will be left as open space for drainage, a linear trail and buffer space.  Read more: