The Dade City Commission voted unanimously on first readings to annex two adjacent Pasco County parcels on Marlou Lane and change their land‑use and zoning so the city can proceed with the Morningside Drive extension project.

Staff said the parcels are contiguous to the city boundary, are currently developed with an office building and a residence (both scheduled for demolition) and that annexation would allow consistent land‑use, zoning, and municipal oversight needed to construct a new connector roadway linking U.S. 301 and Fort King Road.

Actions taken and votes
- Ordinance No. 2025‑05 (first reading): voluntary annexation of approximately 0.6 acres (two parcels) — motion to approve carried 5–0.
- Ordinance No. 2025‑06 (first reading): small‑scale comprehensive plan amendment changing one parcel from Pasco County Res‑6 to Dade City Public/Semi‑Public (P‑SP) — motion to approve carried 5–0.
- Ordinance No. 2025‑07 (first reading, quasi‑judicial): rezoning of roughly 0.06 acres from Pasco County R‑3 to Dade City Residential‑Institutional‑Office (RIO) to align with the annexation and comp‑plan amendment — motion to approve carried 5–0.

Why this matters
The annexation and zoning changes are city‑initiated and part of a transportation project intended to improve connectivity in the city by extending Morningside Drive. Planning staff said the items were unanimously recommended by the planning board on Aug. 6, 2025 and that the annexation supports consistent jurisdictional authority and project logistics.

Next steps
The ordinances will return for second readings and final action (public notice and second‑reading requirements apply). Staff said the parcels will be prepared for demolition and incorporation into the roadway plan.