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Suncoast Pasco News

Businessman Frustrated By Permit Snags

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By Carl  Orth | The Suncoast News

Published: April 2, 2008

TRINITY, Fla. -- The owner of a furniture-customizing business in the Trinity area recently shared his "horror story" about costly delays from Pasco County's permitting process.

John Thomas, who operates Furniture Stylutions at 11140 Cargo Court, near S.R. 54 and Duck Slough Boulevard, estimates he may have lost as much as $54,000 in revenue over permit delays. He also said he ran afoul of code enforcement over some signs.

"My dream has turned into a nightmare," he told county commissioners.

Commissioner Pat Mulieri thanked him for bringing problems to the attention of county leaders. Pasco officials want to help, Mulieri told Thomas.

That, however, isn't what Thomas wanted to hear.

"I don't want your help," Thomas responded with a chuckle. "Just stay out of my way."

Streamlining the permit process has been a tough nut for the county to crack.

Back in August 2000, William H. Fruth preached a business-friendly message during a Pasco Forum 2000 event. Fruth is president of POLICOM Corporation, a South Florida-based economic consulting firm.

Even then, Fruth commented, "I go to Georgia and Tennessee and they think I'm lying" about the complexity of governmental regulations in Florida. At that time Pasco County was taking its first baby steps toward accepting online applications for permits.

County Administrator John Gallagher said he and county staff weren't directly familiar with Thomas's applications but would check into the problems he encountered. Then Gallagher will report back to commissioners.

"The key is we want small business here," Gallagher commented.

Commissioner Jack Mariano suggested Thomas talk to Urban Land Institute organizers. Pasco recently hired the nonprofit group to stage a 5-day business forum.

"My personal horror story of last year is not uncommon in the area," Thomas said.

He wanted to relocate his business here since he already resides in the Trinity area and grew tired of a long commute to Pinellas Park.

He signed a lease in September 2006 for some warehouse space, expecting to move in by January 2007. Instead he moved in March 25, 2007.

"I had two walls and an air conditioning unit, that's it," he recalled about finishing the space in a building shell. The delays cost him some $12,000 in storage expense, he calculates.

With the economic downturn, he ventured into retail to maintain 12 employees and a payroll of $35,000 a month.

He started weekend warehouse sales, netting $10,000 from the first sale.

"My first encounter with code enforcement was not pleasant."

Officials told him to take down two banners "Warehouse Sale" hanging on the sides of a trailer. Sales plummeted after that.

In August, he laid off most warehouse workers. He sought to relocate at the Cargo Court location.

"I figured 8 weeks" for the fairly simple job of putting up a wall to separate space in the building. That would have meant moving day in October.

"November passed, December passed, January passed. I moved in Feb. 1."

He still is dealing with two permits for two, permanent signs.

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