The Shields Painting Difference: Perfection with Every Brush Stroke
Many painting companies in Florida rely on flashy marketing and big promises to try and attract new clients. But when it comes time to work, they fall short of their promises. This is often due to a lack of experience, qualified painters, and a drive to overachieve. At Shields Painting, we do things a little differently than other painting companies in Citrus County. We believe that a professional paint job should be as close to perfect as possible. Our goal is to leave you 100% satisfied, whether we're touching up an old residential paint job or performing a complex commercial project. It might sound simple, but we achieve that goal through honesty, hard work, beautiful results, and reasonable pricing.
As a family-owned and operated painting company in Ridge Manor, FL, we strive to provide personalized, professional, and friendly service. Shields Painting has been in business since 1968 for a good reason. Whenever possible, we go the extra mile to make sure our customers are happy. Unlike some of our competition, we want to know all about your house or business painting project: your vision, your preferences, your challenges, and your goals. When we understand your needs, we can present you with a fantastic final product - one that you're proud to show off to friends and neighbors.
At Shields Painting, we combine our extensive experience with time-tested, meticulous painting processes, resulting in the highest quality painting results around. As a painting contractor in Citrus County, we can take on a variety of residential, commercial, and industrial projects in Florida.
A few of our most popular painting services include:
- Interior Painting
- Exterior Painting
- Residential Painting
- Commercial Painting
- Cabinet Painting
- Ceiling Painting
- Fence Painting
- Sign Painting
- MUCH More!
Our commercial, industrial, and residential painting contractors take the proper steps to protect your property and belongings while we work. Our team will clean up after ourselves, so your property is left clean and free of debris when we're done. After all, we think there's only one way to do a job, and that's the right way.
Painting Services
Eco-friendly & clean work area.
PDCA Certified Member.
Your Go-To House Painting Company in Ridge Manor, FL
Your home is a haven of relaxation and solitude. It is uniquely you - a place where you can express who you are through style and design. Whether you need interior touch-ups for your crown molding or a new exterior coat of paint, hiring a reliable painting contractor is the best way to get quality results.
At Shields Painting, we know how important it is to have a home that highlights your tastes and personality. That's why we offer an extensive array of residential painting services in Citrus County. As tempting as it might be to try a DIY paint job, without the proper skills and experience, there is a good chance that the results will turn out less than satisfactory.
High-quality painting requires skill, experience, and patience. If you're a homeowner who needs residential painting services but doesn't have the time, patience, or skills to handle the job, look no further than Shields Painting. We offer accuracy, precision, and longevity with each paint job we perform. Our customers choose Shields Painting for their home because they receive:
- Free Quotes with Detailed Project Breakdowns
- Affordable Pricing
- Expert Painting Contractors
- High-Quality Paint Products
- Combo of Traditional and Modern Techniques
- Well-Maintained Tools
- Unmatched Craftsmanship
- Friendly, Personalized Service
- Good Old-Fashioned Hard Work!
The majority of our house painting services come in two forms: interior and exterior.
Interior Residential Painting
As an interior painting contractor with decades of experience, our expert technicians have developed an interior painting process that maximizes quality and emphasizes customer satisfaction. We understand that interior painting goes beyond aesthetics. It protects your ceilings and walls and helps you sustain a healthier place to live for your family. When only the finest craftsmanship will do inside your home, Shields Painting is here for you.
Our seasoned team of painting experts and craftsmen is dedicated to respecting your space and providing you with the look and feel you're craving inside your home. Whether you bought a new house and want to make it your own or need minor touch-ups but have no time, Shields Painting is ready to tackle the job, no matter how small or large.
Unlike some painting companies, our interior house painters take the time to get the details right, every time. For instance, color is only one aspect of your interior paint job. The paint sheen or finish is just as important. Certain finishes are better for living rooms and bedrooms than in kitchens and bathrooms. We'll help you find the right finish and paint colors for your home, so you don't have to worry about touch-ups or repainting.
Some of our most popular interior house painting services include:
- Ceiling Painting
- Popcorn Ceiling Removal
- Living Room Painting
- Bathroom Painting
- Basement Painting
- Color Consultations
- More
Cabinet Painting
Citrus County cabinet painting deserves its own section on this page because it requires more time, skill, and quality paint than most sections of your home. If your home's cabinets are built into its woodwork, replacing them can be obnoxiously expensive. Compared to the cost of installing new cabinets, painting your kitchen cabinets is much more affordable.
At Shields Painting, we specialize in transforming old cabinets into new, gorgeous features that are just as usable as they are beautiful. Each step of our cabinet painting process is meticulous and thorough. And we'll take care of the entire job, from cleaning, prep, and sanding to priming, painting, and reassembly. This unique service lets you enjoy a brand-new look in your kitchen without having to go into debt by replacing your cabinets.
Whether your cabinets are new, but you want to change their color or you'd like to transition wood cabinets to a painted finish, Shields Painting has the expertise and experience to give you a new look you'll love.
Exterior Residential Painting
Your home - it's a place that not only keeps your belongings safe. It protects your family and loved ones, too. It's one of your largest investments, and like anything else of value, it should be protected. However, Florida weather can take a toll on your home's structure and paint, lowering your home's value and even putting your family at risk.
While it's true that a beautiful exterior affects your house's value, it shouldn't take thousands of remodeling dollars to make a positive change to your home. There's a fine line between reasonable pricing and top-quality painting, and that sweet spot is what Shields Painting aims for. If you want to transform how your friends and neighbors see your home, never underestimate the power of a professional paint job.
Our exterior residential painting services are designed to boost curb appeal, give your home a fresh look, and help it stand up to Florida's unique weather. But we provide more than that. When you hire Shields Painting for your outdoor painting project, you will enjoy peace of mind in knowing that your home is in truly capable hands. Our goal is to exceed your expectations and help bring out the best in your property, whether you need to re-stain your deck or remove old, peeling paint from your siding.
If you're on the hunt for the very best exterior painting contractor in Ridge Manor, FL, look no further than Shields Painting.
Some of our most popular exterior house painting services include:
- Vinyl Siding Painting
- Deck Painting and Staining
- Stucco Exterior Painting
- Wood Exterior Painting
- Porch Painting and Staining
- Soffit Painting
- Fascia Painting
- Window Painting
- Front Door Painting
- Thorough Painting Prep
- More
The Premier Commercial Painting Company in Ridge Manor, FL
When it comes to first impressions, your businesses' appearance plays an important role. Your commercial property's paint job factors into its overall aesthetics. A great-looking, well-maintained paint job can mean the difference between a customer walking in your storefront and passing by. Conversely, an old, worn-out commercial paint job can send the wrong message to prospective customers. If you can't take the time to keep up your property's appearance, why would a customer spend their hard-earned money on your products?
The same goes for your businesses' interior paint. Would you want to do business with a company that has peeling paint or unsightly crown molding? At Shield's Painting, our goal is to create a beautiful environment that your customers and employees will love inside and out. When you work with our business painters, you can rest easy knowing we treat your business like it were our own. We always clean up after ourselves and know that operations cannot come to a halt just because we're painting. As such, we'll work with your busy schedule to ensure the job gets done right the first time without disrupting your day-to-day commitments.
With decades of commercial painting experience, we know the demands of a commercial painting project necessitate a disciplined and focused approach from the start. Our team of business painters is committed to delivering quality, on-time results on every project, every time - no excuses
We offer professional business painting services to a variety of building types, including:
01
Industrial Painting
A high level of care and finesse are required to effectively paint an industrial property. At Shields Painting, we know that industrial paint jobs involve much more than aesthetics. That's why our industrial services are customized to your specifications, using industrial-grade materials that stand up to heavy-duty operations.
02
Retail Store Painting
Our commercial painters apply effective, yet appealing interior and exterior paint that stand up to the daily rigors of busy retail environments.
03
Small Business Painting
Do you own a restaurant franchise? Have a small "mom and pop" location that needs a fresh coat of paint? Shields Painting has the resources and reliability to efficiently get the job done the first time. That way, you can focus on serving your customers, not having your business repainted.
04
Healthcare Location Painting
From walk-in clinics to long-term care facilities, Shields Painting is sensitive to your patients' needs. We know you must protect your patient's privacy while maintaining productivity. Our approach to healthcare location painting centers around your schedule to avoid disruptions in care.
05
Apartment Complex Painting
Erase signs of wear and make your apartment complex or multi-family building a more desirable place to live with a stunning, professional paint job.
Florida's Most Trusted Painting Contractor
Shields Painting has been in the business since 1968. In a world where so much has changed, we are proud to uphold the ideals that make us successful: hard, honest work, getting the job done right, and excellent customer service. Providing you with trustworthy, quality work will always take priority over rushing through a project to serve the next customer. That is just not the way we choose to do business.
As professionals dedicated to perfection, we strive to provide a unique painting experience for every customer - one that focuses on their needs and desires instead of our own. Whether you need residential painting for your home or commercial painting for your business, we encourage you to reach out today to speak with our customer service team. Whether you have big ideas about a new paint project or need our expertise and guidance, we look forward to hearing from you soon.
352-212-1533Free Consultation
Latest News in Ridge Manor, FL
Short but productive county commission meeting
Julie B. Magliohttps://www.hernandosun.com/2023/03/27/short-but-productive-county-commission-meeting/
The March 14, 2023 Board of County Commissioners meeting was short but productive. Lasting under an hour and a half, commissioners dealt with increasing funds for sewer improvements, awarded two major construction contracts, approved a water service agreement with Cabot Citrus Golf Resort and approved a grant agreement for Ridge Manor road paving. In the ongoing Board Directives update, Deputy County Administrator Tobey Phillips told commissioners that the tiny homes ordinance would go before the BOCC in June.More funds needed...
The March 14, 2023 Board of County Commissioners meeting was short but productive. Lasting under an hour and a half, commissioners dealt with increasing funds for sewer improvements, awarded two major construction contracts, approved a water service agreement with Cabot Citrus Golf Resort and approved a grant agreement for Ridge Manor road paving. In the ongoing Board Directives update, Deputy County Administrator Tobey Phillips told commissioners that the tiny homes ordinance would go before the BOCC in June.
More funds needed for sewer improvements Additional funds are needed for the engineering design services of two sewer line improvement projects. The projects are funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The actual cost of engineering and design for the SR 50 and Grove Road Force Main project is $495,462, but only $330,000 was budgeted in FY23. The actual cost of engineering and design for the US 41 Force Main project, Ayers Road to Runway Drive, is $329,290.00, but only $118,000 was budgeted in FY23. To cover the overages, county commissioners approved a budget resolution transferring grant fund revenues to cover the additional $376,752.
Contracts awarded County Commissioners awarded Archer Western Construction, LLC, the contract for the design and build of the Lockhart Water Treatment Plant Expansion Project in the amount of $10,350,000.00. Gordon Onderdonk explained that it will be the county’s first subregional water plan on the east side of the county. They negotiated a new public supply well with Trilby Crossing, which has been installed and drilled and is ready to be hooked up. In addition, they will be installing a 2 million gallon storage tank with a service pump station. Everything will be funded through Utilities, so they are not taking any debt service, Onderdonk said. This will provide future water service to the east side of the county. County Commissioners awarded New Vista Builders Group, LLC, the contract for the construction of Fire Station No. 2 in the amount of $6,187,194.00. Fire Station No. 2 is located at 3445 Bob Hartung Ct, Spring Hill, FL 34606.
Wastewater service for Cabot Citrus Development The county will provide Water and Wastewater services to the new Cabot Citrus golf resort, formerly World Woods. Hernando County Utilities bulk wastewater service will be established under the redevelopment plan. The wastewater agreement provides that: “The developer will continue to provide potable water and fire flow to serve the needs of the development. “At such time that Hernando County Utilities water is available adjacent to the development, the developer will connect to the public water system. “The developer will construct a new 6,000+- lineal foot off-site force main along the northern boundary of the County Landfill and connect to an existing force main. The developer will oversize the force main from 8” to 12” to provide additional capacity for future developments within the County. The Water and Sewer District will reimburse the developer $333,751 for the cost of oversizing the off-site force main. “ In addition to the rates for sewer services, the developer will pay a surcharge ($1.00 per 1000 gallons) to provide funding in case the off-site force main will need to be relocated to accommodate growth of the County landfill. The surcharge will sunset after reaching $216,568.” Chairman John Allocco recapped the Cabot Golf project stating that they are investing over $100 million to establish a world-class golf resort. “I think it’s going to be something pretty special for Hernando County,” he said. The agreement passed unanimously.
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Grant agreement for Ridge Manor road paving The Florida Department of Transportation will reimburse Hernando County up to $531,568.00 for the road resurfacing project at Faculty/Kedrone/Tombstone/Umbrella Rock From Shasta Street to Wickshire Street. Once these roads are paved, there will be a complete paved connection from 301 down to SR 50, explained Public Works Director Scott Herring. The county will contribute $177,190.00, and any expenses incurred over the $708,758.00 agreement amount will be the responsibility of Hernando County.
Board of County Commissioners’ Comments Commissioner Jerry Campbell updated the board on a proposed new medical examiner building as the current building is not suitable for expansion. Districts 5 & 24 Medical Examiner’s Office encompasses Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Marion, Seminole, and Sumter and Seminole Counties. They were looking to Lake County to provide some property for this building, but that fell through. The committee is now looking at getting a P3 bid to come through central to the two service districts (specifically Sumter, Lake, and Marion counties). Commissioner Campbell asked for clarification on code enforcement as he recalled that Mr. Benda stated that the county could not implement a code enforcement situation. County Attorney Jon Jouben clarified that the county could survey areas for violations, but they cannot initiate an anonymous complaint.
Campbell received a request to look at the ordinance for chickens because it’s not fair based on lot sizes. The ordinance allows four chickens (for residential properties). So “If you have a half acre and five acres, you can have the same amount of chickens,” Campbell surmised. Allocco said that he brought up the chicken ordinance previously because it required you to have the approval of neighbors. They modified that part of the ordinance.
Allocco was in favor of discussing the number of chickens allowed, but worried about the line between supplying enough chickens for your family and supplying chickens for agricultural sales- when you should really be operating on a farm. “I don’t know where that number is, but I’m open for discussion on it.” Champion mentioned that rezoning is always an option.
Commissioner Beth Narverud commended the community for coming together during the recent rescue of toddler JJ. She expressed how she wished that community could come together on a regular basis, without the impetus of a serious situation or tragedy. She mentioned National Pi Day and International Woman’s Day. She was a speaker at Salishan for Woman’s Day. She said it was great to listen and talk with the retirees about their life experiences. “I was really impressed with how engaged they are in what’s going on in our county,” she said.
The Board of County Commissioners will meet at 9 AM on March 28 for their next regular meeting at John Law Ayers Commission Chambers, Room 160.
The median price of an existing home rose more than 1 percent this year according to figures released by the Hernando County Association of REALTORS® and as the prices of existing townhouses and condominiums also jumped in February 2023. Still the news contained in the figures compiled by the group was not all positive.
According to the organization, the price of an existing single family home in Hernando County rose 1.5 percent in February 2023 to $309,495 from $304, 990 in February 2022. The median price of an existing townhouse and condominium rose to $267,500 in February 2023, 2.9 percent higher than the $260,000 price tag for a similar unit in February 2022.
Even so, the news was not all good. Sellers of existing single-family homes faced more competition for buyers in February 2023 as the number of those homes available for sale (in inventory) in February 2023 rose 220.9 percent to 921 compared to 287 the year before, and the number of closings on single-family home sales fell by 24.1 percent to 268 in February 2023 compared to 353 in 2022.The inventory of existing townhouses and condominiums also grew by 288.9 percent to 35 compared to 9 similar listings in February 2022.
Meanwhile, listings for new single family home sales also dropped 15.8 percent from February 2022 (392 listings) to February 2023 (330 listings). Listings for new townhouses and condos also fell in February 2023 to 14 or 39.1 percent down from 23 listings in February 2022. The waning of the 2022 housing boom also affected how much existing property sellers realized from their transactions.
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According to the REALTOR® sellers of existing single-family homes realized 93.9 percent of their asking prices in February 2023 down from 100 percent in February 2022. Meanwhile, sellers of existing townhouses or condos realized 93.7 percent of their asking prices in February 2023 compared to 100 percent in 2022.
In addition, single-family homes stayed on the market longer in 2023 than they did in 2022, the organization said, as the median time to contract rose 511.1 percent to 55 days in February 2023 compared to just nine days in February 2022. Townhomes and condos stayed in the market 32 days as compared to four days in 2022.
During the same time, new pending sales for single-family homes fell 19.5 percent to 331 in February 2023 from 411 in 2022. New pending sales of townhomes and condos also fell from 21 in February 2022 to 20 in February 2023.
Finally, closed foreclosure/real estate owned (REO) sales for single family homes fell by 60 percent with two sales in February 2023 down from five sales in February 2022. REOs refer to lender-owned properties that are not sold at a foreclosure auction. The median price of those properties rose 37.5 percent to $261,051 in February 2023 from $189,900 a year ago.
The Hernando County Association of REALTORS® released its year-over-year figures for February 2023 and February 2022 on March 21.
Hernando County Emergency Management announces voluntary evacuations
Hernando Todayhttps://www.suncoastnews.com/news/hernando-county-emergency-management-announces-voluntary-evacuations/article_3e03b884-4560-11ee-83bf-1fd0cb9979db.html
BROOKSVILLE – Hernando County Emergency Management continues to monitor Tropical Storm Idalia.Voluntary evacuations have been issued for all areas west of U.S. 19, which includes evacuation zones A, B and C. All residents living in coastal and low-lying areas, as well as manufactured homes county-wide, are included.Residents are advised to seek safe shelter with family or friends who reside in a safe structure. If this is not a possibility, a public shelter will open at noon on Monday, Aug. 28, 2023 at the below addresses...
BROOKSVILLE – Hernando County Emergency Management continues to monitor Tropical Storm Idalia.
Voluntary evacuations have been issued for all areas west of U.S. 19, which includes evacuation zones A, B and C. All residents living in coastal and low-lying areas, as well as manufactured homes county-wide, are included.
Residents are advised to seek safe shelter with family or friends who reside in a safe structure. If this is not a possibility, a public shelter will open at noon on Monday, Aug. 28, 2023 at the below addresses.
West Hernando Middle School – Special Needs
14325 Ken Austin Parkway
Brooksville, FL 34614
If you need the Special Needs Shelter and have a pet, transportation from either your house or shelter location for your pet is done through Animal Control with the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office. Please call Hernando County Public Information Center at 352-754-4083 to arrange pickup. The center will open at 8 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 28.
D. S. Parrott Middle School – General Population and Pet Friendly
19220 Youth Drive
Brooksville, FL 34601
Pet-friendly shelter tips
Citizens and their animals are housed in separate sections of the designated shelter(s). Designated shelters are typically Hernando County Schools. Animals will be housed in crates in a different location than where general population is located. If you need to seek shelter with your pet during a declared emergency the following list will help you be prepared:
Sandbag locations
Sandbag locations are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Linda Pedersen Park
6300 Shoal Line Blvd.
Spring Hill, FL 34609
Anderson Snow Park
1360 Anderson Snow Road
Spring Hill, FL 34609
Enter through the service road between the park and the gymnastics place; the sand is located at the end.
Ridge Manor Community Center
34240 Cortez Blvd.
Ridge Manor, FL 33523
City of Brooksville DPW (open 24/7)
600 S. Brooksville Ave.
Brooksville, FL 34601
These self-serve sandbag sites will remain open until weather conditions begin to deteriorate. Please bring your own shovel.
Hernando County Government’s Office of Emergency Management continues to monitor and inform our community about storm impacts. Visit the following web and social media sites for more information.
For the latest local conditions and a complete list of news alerts go to www.HernandoCounty.us/EM
Sign up to receive weather alerts at www.AlertHernando.org
Follow on Facebook @HernandoCountyFire and @HernandoCoGov
Follow on Twitter @HernandoCoGov
Stay tuned as more information becomes available. Visit the Hernando County Emergency Management website at www.HernandoCounty.us/EM for all storm-related notices.
Residents along Withlacoochee hold on to hope as river recedes
Megan Reeveshttps://www.tampabay.com/news/weather/residents-along-withlacoochee-hold-on-to-hope-as-river-recedes/2339852/
RIDGE MANORIn the days since Hurricane Irma swept across Hernando County, Barbara Schmidt has developed a new ritual. She drives every day to the entrance to her neighborhood on Cyril Drive, off State Road 50, to see if the floodwaters have gone down enough that she can get to her house.On Monday, they hadn't. She couldn't even get far enough down the road to see her house, much less get inside to assess the damage done by the swollen Withlacoochee River, which her home backs up to.Schmidt, 61, and most of her nei...
RIDGE MANOR
In the days since Hurricane Irma swept across Hernando County, Barbara Schmidt has developed a new ritual. She drives every day to the entrance to her neighborhood on Cyril Drive, off State Road 50, to see if the floodwaters have gone down enough that she can get to her house.
On Monday, they hadn't. She couldn't even get far enough down the road to see her house, much less get inside to assess the damage done by the swollen Withlacoochee River, which her home backs up to.
Schmidt, 61, and most of her neighbors whose homes sit along the winding river have been out of their homes since county officials issued voluntary evacuation orders as waters began to rise following the storm.
After reaching its fifth-highest crest ever — 17.67 feet at the Trilby gauge — the river began to recede back into its banks late last week, allowing some residents to return to their homes, and others, like Schmidt, to regain hope they'll be able to soon.
At midweek, the river was at 14 feet, just below what is considered moderate flood stage. Waters are expected to steadily fall through Sunday, when the level will drop below flood stage, which is 12 feet.
"I can't know what to do until I can get there and see the damage," Schmidt said. "I feel like I'm just numb. ... It's a mess for everyone back here."
Some residents who did not evacuate, or who returned home after the hurricane despite flooding, parked their vehicles at the front of neighborhoods, where floodwaters did not reach, and used jon boats to get back and forth to their homes.
"Every freakin' day we paddle out and paddle back in, and I'm 70 years old," said Cyril Drive resident Ralph Cocchi, sitting in a canoe with his daughter, Tiffany Cocchi, 36, who is his neighbor. "I look at Puerto Rico and think I am way better off compared to them. ... But I can't help but recognize my own situation."
•••
While most residents on Cyril have electricity now, many others along the river do not. The county has been working in partnership with the Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative to decide where it is appropriate to reconnect power based on the flood's impacts, said Jim Friedrichs, the county's building official.
"We're slowly but surely drafting a list and sending it out to (the cooperative) as we get addresses,'' he said. "It's a joint decision'' where to restore power.
Friedrichs said he has mobilized teams to begin assessing property damage as waters go down, but "it's just proving to be very problematic to perform damage assessments on the river." He was not sure when assessments would be completed, but county officials have said dozens of homes along the river may have to be condemned due to the damage sustained in the flood.
As many residents grapple with living without electricity and running water or struggle to afford everyday necessities atop relocation costs, Eastside Elementary School has come to their aid.
The school enrolls about 60 students whose families are victims of the flood, some of whom assistant principal Mike Lastra said came to school with bug bites, as floodwaters have brought increased populations of mosquitoes near their homes.
"This is happening in our own back yard," Lastra said. "Many of our families have lost everything, and now they are coming here to get everything back."
Last week, the school opened up a free store stocked with donations such as clothes and food. The week before, officials took students on a bus ride to flooded areas, and they passed out supplies to residents.
Cyril Drive resident Keyon Thompson, 38, who has four children enrolled at the school, called the store "a blessing." School office clerk Kathy Deese, who is responsible for checking families into the store, said about 50 families have visited so far.
•••
Schmidt said regardless of what she finds when she is finally able to make the drive down Cyril and return home, where she has lived since 1985 after inheriting the house from her parents, she plans to move elsewhere. She said she and her husband, who is terminally ill, have seen waters rise around their home too many times.
"We can't come back here. ... I can't deal with this again," she said, standing near the start of the flood waters on her street. "I am just very emotionally and physically exhausted."
Staff writer Barbara Behrendt contributed to this report. Contact Megan Reeves at mreeves@tampabay.com. Follow @mareevs.
Controversial Ridge Manor zoning application is withdrawn, but concerns remain about landowners who seek rezoning rather than complying with county codes
Barbara Behrendthttps://www.tampabay.com/hernando/controversial-ridge-manor-zoning-application-is-withdrawn-but-concerns-remain-about-landowners-who-seek-rezoning-rather-than-complying-with-county-codes-20190718/
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BROOKSVILLE — Ridge Manor residents had prepared for months to present their case against a man who wanted to run a machine shop and truck repair business on Treiman Boulevard, close to their homes, where such intense commercial land uses are not allowed.
On Tuesday, they filled several rows at the Hernando County Commission hearing on the matter, waving purple signs urging a no vote on a rezoning of Arnoldo Naranjo Rivero's 1.8-acre site.
They expected Rivero to ask for another delay to give him more time to clean up trucks and structures he had placed on the land against the existing commercial zoning rules. Instead, they got a quick resolution.
With county planner Omar DePablo translating for Rivero, who does not speak English, the applicant pulled his rezoning request on Tuesday. Commissioners offered no comment.
Rivero promised to clean up his property, where he had hoped to run a lathe, do welding and repair diesel equipment, as well as place a mobile home for himself and his family.
In addition, he told commissioners that once he addresses the county code violations, he will find a business to conduct on the site that meets his current zoning category.
The application was controversial from the start and brought to light concerns over a deeper, countywide issue.
The county planning staff and the county Planning and Zoning Commission both recommended approval of the Rivero application. Residents had made familiar arguments against the rezoning, pointing out that it didn't fit the neighborhood. The business would have put heavy commercial uses next to residential lots at entrance roads into the Ridge Manor community.
Nine months ago, county code enforcement officials began documenting items on the property — semi trucks and other vehicles, structures, tarps and equipment — not properly fenced or allowed under the existing zoning.
Citations followed, but as recently as last month, an inspection showed that Rivero had not removed the items.
Code enforcement documents indicate that a relative of the applicant reported that Rivero, because of his language barrier, thought the citation required him to clear the property of trees and brush, rather than the vehicles and other debris. Even after he was given an extension before his County Commission hearing, he had not fixed the violations.
The case brought to a head concerns that county officials were using the rezoning process to cure code violations.
"It is my understanding that, rather than being required to bring the enterprise into compliance with the existing code, the owners have been encouraged and coached by our county officials about a process — a zoning change request — that would allow them to circumvent requirements of the existing comprehensive plan,'' wrote Ridge Manor property owner Saybra Chapman.
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"Not requiring compliance with the existing code and comprehensive plan is completely unacceptable on the part of the Planning Commission, zoning officials and elected members of our County Commission,'' Chapman wrote.
"How can a person who clearly ignores county rules and regulations be allowed to move forward in his quest to make unbelievable changes?'' asked nearby resident Cathie Moore. "I was always under the assumption that laws, rules and regulations in the county were set up for each and every one of us to abide by and follow. We can't pick and choose what we want to adhere to.''
Lynn Gruber-White, president of the Ridge Manor Property Owners Association, raised the same issue with the County Commission in May.
After Tuesday's hearing, she said she was pleased that Rivero pulled his application, but that he still needs to clean up his property. She plans to attend Thursday's special magistrate hearing where she hopes Rivero must pay the penalty for his continuing code violations.
Gruber-White, who also is a member of the Planning and Zoning Commission, said she is concerned that some people are allowed to violate the code while others make honest mistakes and are held to a strict standard. She wants to see the county create a more level playing field.
"I think that we need to continue to have this conversation, and I think we have a sitting commission that is listening to this conversation,'' Gruber-White said. "Hopefully this will mean that we see some changes.''
Contact Barbara Behrendt at bbehrendt@tampabay.com or (352) 848-1434.
Update: Hernando County calls for mandatory evacuations in vulnerable areas and lists shelters
Pat Raiahttps://www.hernandosun.com/2023/08/28/hernando-county-calls-for-voluntary-evacuations-in-vulnerable-areas-and-lists-shelters/
Ahead of what is expected to become Hurricane Idalia, Hernando County has issued mandatory evacuations for all areas west of US 19, including evacuation zones A, B, and C, effective at 7 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 29. All residents living in coastal and low-lying areas, as well as manufactured homes throughout the county, are included in the mandatory evacuation order. Public shelters opened at noon on Monday, Aug. 28.According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Idalia form...
Ahead of what is expected to become Hurricane Idalia, Hernando County has issued mandatory evacuations for all areas west of US 19, including evacuation zones A, B, and C, effective at 7 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 29. All residents living in coastal and low-lying areas, as well as manufactured homes throughout the county, are included in the mandatory evacuation order. Public shelters opened at noon on Monday, Aug. 28.
According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Idalia formed as a Tropical Storm near Cancun, Mexico, on Sunday. As the storm marched across the Gulf of Mexico, the NHC issued storm surge and hurricane warnings for the west coast of Florida at 11 a.m. on Monday. Idalia is expected to drench the area with heavy rains late Tuesday into Wednesday afternoon and is predicted to make landfall in Florida as a major hurricane on Wednesday.
In response, Hernando County Emergency Management (HCEM) advised all residents of the County who live in coastal and low-lying areas or in manufactured homes to seek safe shelter with family or friends who live in safe structures or shelter at public shelters at public schools in the county. Shelters open to the general population are located at the Nature Coast Technical High School (NCT), 4057 California St. in Brooksville, FL 34604, and Hernando High School, 111 Ernie Chatman Run, Brooksville, FL 34601.
A pet-friendly general population shelter is located at the D.S. Parrott Middle School, 19220 Youth Dr. in Brooksville.
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A Special Needs Shelter is located at West Hernando Middle School, 14325 Ken Austin Pkwy., in Brooksville.
Those who need to relocate to the special needs shelter and have pets may arrange transportation for their pets to a pet-friendly shelter through the Animal Control Department of the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office. Call the Hernando County Public Information Center (PIC) at 352-754-4083 to request a pick-up.
Those whose pets require care at pet-friendly shelter facilities should bring their own appropriately-sized pet crates, proof of up-to-date pet vaccinations, all the pet’s medications, several days’ worth of food, a leash and collar, and toys that may calm the pet.
Also, bring a sheet to cover the cages of fearful or shy animals, a muzzle for animals that are predisposed to bite, some decoration to distinguish each pet’s crate from another, and a spray cleaner and paper towels to clean the animal’s crate.
Animals will not be housed in the same section as their owners, but they will have access to their pets.
Meanwhile, sandbags will be available to county residents from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 28, and from 8 a.m. to noon on Tuesday, Aug. 29, at Linda Pedersen Park, 6300 Shoal Line Blvd., Spring Hill, Anderson Snow Park, 1360 Anderson Snow Rd., Spring Hill; the Ridge Manor Community Center, 34240 Cortez Blvd., Ridge Manor; and at the City of Brooksville Department of Public Works, 600 S Brooksville Ave., Brooksville.
According to the HCEMS, the self-serve sandbag sites will remain open until weather conditions begin to deteriorate.
Residents should bring their own shovels, and those visiting the Anderson Snow Park site should enter the facility through the service road between the park and the gymnastics facility.
According to Hernando County Public Information Coordinator Dominique Holmes, the County’s Office of Emergency Management will continue to monitor the progress of the storm.
More information will be posted on the Hernando County Emergency Management website at www.HernandoCounty.us/EM and on the county’s social media pages as it becomes available, Holmes said.