Summary

City Approves Stormwater Expansion and Recycling Rollout

ZephyrhillsApr 13, 20262 min read

At a glance

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The council unanimously approved a $345,000 purchase at 39165 9th Avenue to expand the adjacent stormwater pond, using grant funding after the property experienced flooding during Hurricane Milton. The city also announced that its new recycling program will launch May 13, 2026, with approximately 3,000 automated 65-gallon carts; only the new carts will be collected after launch.

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City Approves Stormwater Expansion Land Development

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City Council

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TransportationBudget & TaxCommerceEnvironmentalHousingUtilities

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What this means

The stormwater property purchase is intended to increase drainage capacity and reduce flooding risks near 9th Avenue, with grant funds also supporting demolition, design and pond improvements. Recycling customers will receive new carts through deliveries scheduled between April 18 and May 9, and the existing 18-gallon bins will no longer be collected once the new program begins. The council also advanced comprehensive-plan changes covering housing, intergovernmental coordination and a proposed Zephyr Knoll mixed-use area, all by unanimous votes on first reading or transmittal.

Key decisions

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Approved the purchase of 39165 9th Avenue for $345,000 and authorized the City Manager to execute related documents for expansion of the 9th Avenue stormwater pond; the vote was unanimous.
Approved a Florida Department of Environmental Protection grant agreement for purchasing property and improving the existing 9th Avenue stormwater pond; the vote was unanimous.
Approved Ordinance No. 1514-26 on first transmittal reading, updating the comprehensive plan's Housing and Intergovernmental Coordination elements; the vote was unanimous.
Approved Ordinance No. 1515-26 on first reading and authorized transmittal for a Zephyr Knoll mixed-use future land use category and related map changes along the US 301 corridor north of Kossik Road; the vote was unanimous.
Approved Resolution No. 867-26 electing not to exempt property under the Live Local Act property tax exemption provision; the vote was unanimous.
Approved a variance allowing Bauducco two approximately 400-square-foot wall signs, exceeding the standard sign allowances; the vote was 3-2, with Jodi Wilkeson and Steven Spina opposed.
Approved the first reading of Ordinance No. 1516-26 updating historic-preservation board and historic-district provisions; the vote was unanimous.
Approved the rollout of approximately 3,000 new 65-gallon automated recycling carts. The program is scheduled to launch May 13, 2026, after deliveries on April 18, April 25, May 2 and May 9.

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