Options for fixing massive Pasco sinkhole narrowed to 3

LAND O' LAKES, Fla. - It’s been almost 8 months since a massive sinkhole swallowed two homes in Pasco County.

It also forced many homeowners nearby to leave, some who haven’t been back.

Saturday morning, Pasco County officials held a meeting to discuss options for the sinkhole site on Ocean Pines Drive in Land O' Lakes.

So far, this is the current situation with homes affected, according to the county:

• Two homes condemned
• One torn down
• Two swallowed by the sinkhole
• 10 homes still being evaluated.

Close to $1 million has already been spent cleaning up the sinkhole.

Three options are now on the table after the Pasco County Engineering staff received feedback from the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) and University of South Florida geologists.

Cul-De-Sac Connections

• Construct cul-de-sacs on each side of the sinkhole for easy and safe exits.
• Install a 6-foot-tall fence with an access gate around sinkhole.
• Purchase three houses in cul-de-sac locations.
• Estimated cost: $1.7 to $2.2 million or greater for grouting of anomalies.

Based on Geotech recommendations, the county was told this option would be risky due to lose soil conditions.

This option is considered a high financial risk, if those anomalies are deeper than planned.

“T” Turnaround

• Construct two 70-foot “T” Turnarounds on each sides of the sinkhole for easy and safe exits.
• Install a 6-foot-tall fence with an access gate around the sinkhole.
• Install heavy-duty Geosythetic Reinforced Soil Mat.
• Estimated cost: $242,000

The county would only need to purchase the area needed for the turnarounds from property owners. No homes would be taken from homeowners.

Signs and Fencing

• Install a 6-foot-tall fence with an access gate around the sinkhole.
• Install dead end signs
• Estimated Cost: $65K

Some homeowners who attended the meeting were not pleased with having fencing around the sinkhole, but county officials said it’s needed for safety purposes. Every option includes fencing.

There had been talks about connecting the sinkhole with Lake Saxon, but officials have ruled out that option, saying it could do more damage.

During the meeting, homeowners wrote down which option they preferred.

Officials with the county's Public Safety Division will then take those comments to their board meeting with commissioners on April 24. That's when they'll make a final decision.

The sinkhole repairs should be finished by the winter of 2018-19.

It’s still undecided how the county is going to pay for those repairs.