Pasco Seeks New Planning Commissioner After Member's Resignation

PASCO COUNTY, FL — The Pasco County Planning Commission is seeking applicants to fill a seat on the commission after being called on the carpet for not opening up seats on the commission to the community.

The opening comes after the Sept. 3 resignation of Kevin Ryman. The commission was criticized for reappointing Ryman and chairman Chuck Grey to two-year terms on the planning commission in August without opening up applications to the public.

According to the Tampa Bay Times, Ryman, a Zephyrhills builder and roofing contractor, resigned at the request of County Commission Chairman Ron Oakley after the Times reported a sheriff's office investigation into a bid-rigging allegation involving Ryman for a $1.5 million school roofing project.

According to the planning commission, those wishing to apply for Ryman's former seat must have some knowledge about engineering, planning, real estate, surveying, property management, architecture, construction and other related fields.

Applications are being accepted through Oct. 11.

The seven-member planning commission reviews and makes recommendations to the Pasco County Commission on proposed comprehensive plan amendments, zoning amendments, conditional use permit applications, development orders, development agreements, operating permits and other development applications.

Other responsibilities include hearing and issuing final determinations on all variances, alternative standards, certain appeals and special exception applications.

Six of the members are appointed by the county commission and the seventh is appointed by the school board.

Planning Commission meetings are held twice a month on Thursdays at 1:30 p.m., alternating between the Historic Pasco County Courthouse in Dade City and the West Pasco Government Center in New Port Richey.