Pete Cuccaro, a longtime Pine Ridge Resident and Member, recently penned an editorial featured in the Citrus County Chronicle. The Board believes the editorial is worth sharing with all Pine Ridge Members.
Shortly after his election to the Board, Pete found it necessary to step down. However, at the Board’s request, he has continued to serve our community by sharing his time, knowledge, and experience. His extensive understanding of government processes and procedures, developed through his career in law enforcement and his subsequent professional experience, has helped bridge a significant knowledge gap as we address issues affecting Pine Ridge.
As indicated during the last election, the current Board of Directors is committed to protecting and improving property values throughout Pine Ridge, regardless of where you live in our community. The attached editorial provides a brief overview of where we stand today and highlights issues that will affect our community’s future. We have already begun the dialogue referenced in the editorial and will continue working toward solutions that protect the interests and property values of all Pine Ridge Members.
Pine Ridge Board of Directors
Time to Get Growth Right Going Forward
By Pete Cuccaro
October 9, 2026 | Citrus County Chronicle
The Fifth Judicial Circuit of Florida pulled back the curtain on the Citrus Land Growth Division, advising business as usual needs revision. The Chronicle covered it, and we expect the undergirding of the 21-page Court Order to receive further scrutiny. It’s truly in the best interest of Citrus citizens to understand how the LDC was minimized by using interchangeable terminology for years. In essence, the Court advised: “That’s the way it was always done” won’t fly. Which brings us to another Chronicle article: Where did the leadership go?; September 24, 2026; by Kevin Cunningham. It’s worth the read and intertwines here.
Real estate analysis provided by “The Cunningham Real Estate Team” at the Quasi-Judicial Hearing of August 26, 2025, was counter to facts twice presented by Pine Ridge regarding “accruing but interrupted real estate value.” It was actually apples and oranges. There was no critique then when the BOCC voted in favor of Southern Oaks. Criticism was reserved for more recent BOCC decisions, potentially in conflict with one of their pending transactions. They were not exactly a spontaneous neutral party as purported before their statistical presentation. Just shows it’s not easy being on the BOCC – or the POA, for that matter. August and September 2026 became pivotal months for all of Citrus.
August 14, 2026, was the monumental day the Fifth Judicial Circuit quashed the Citrus ordinance, which would have continued faulty LDC amendments. They didn’t just “remand it back” or “set it aside” in four to six pages; it was a 21-page QUASH. This is huge vindication for the Pine Ridge POA, which primarily used budgeted reserves for legal/consulting guidance to protect erosion of not readily visible (or thought of) property values. They were right on January 9, 2024, and again on August 26, 2025. It took the successful appeal to ultimately get BOCC attention. And then THEY got it right. Informed residents understand the POA exists to protect all members everywhere in Pine Ridge. Pine Ridge provides $78 million in ad valorem taxes on a $1.5 billion market value. It’s not like the POA asks much.
On September 2, 2026, the BOCC contemplated whether they should appeal the Court Order. Following citizen input, they voted unanimously NOT to appeal. It was messy democracy at work, prompting the Cunningham critique. On September 21, 2026, the BOCC considered an Agenda Item to “administratively cure” past, present and future LDC action. To do that could have disregarded the very Court Order finding fault. It was a circuitous discussion, but once again the BOCC stepped up and sided with the people’s position – and the Court Decision – which clearly advised interchangeable terminology for LDC amendments to Master Plans and DRIs is a no-no. Predictably, Southern Oaks appealed. Importantly, the BOCC didn’t.
Because of the Fifth Judicial Circuit, the Pine Ridge POA and BOCC are now almost, albeit begrudgingly, on the same page. We should expect this to evolve into meaningful dialogue. Pine Ridge is not anti-growth, but this was the time to stand for property owners. No matter how neatly presented (and a few people bit), a new community within its boundaries would suck away evolving Market/Tax Value. The now-quashed ordinance would have sent the 54-year Pine Ridge Master Plan to the dustbin of history. Culture, quality of life, and value-adding amenities remain protected. One final thought: Citrus citizens should absolutely agree with and thank Mr. Cunningham for this observation: “Leadership is also telling an applicant no when the evidence does not support approval, even when the applicant has money and lawyers.” And now there’s a Court Decision because this POA understood the threat and stepped up for everyone. Kudos all around.
About the Author
After a 33-year law enforcement career in Miami-Dade, Pete Cuccaro (Police Chief Retired) later served as a VP of Investigations for 50 State Security. He also served as a management consultant and expert witness to major law firms throughout the U.S. and Florida. He established the Roads Committee for the Pine Ridge POA and was elected to its Board of Directors. He stepped down because of developing health issues.
Contact: petecuccaro@gmail.com
Originally published in the Citrus County Chronicle on October 9, 2026.