WESLEY CHAPEL - The state Department of Community Affairs and Pasco County officials have reached an agreement that would end agency objections to the Wiregrass Ranch Development of Regional Impact.

"Our basic concern has been that there weren't adequate transportation plans for Phases 2 and 3" of the project, state agency spokesman Jon Peck said Thursday. "There will be zero construction for Phases 2 and 3 until there is a detailed plan."

As part of the settlement, to be finalized after the development order is amended at a hearing Oct. 9, Pasco attorneys committed to improvements on Interstate 75 and State Road 54. The first phase of construction at Wiregrass includes a mall and neighborhoods. The second and third phases are largely residential.

Hillsborough County officials, who have no legal standing to appeal the development order, urged the state to order Pasco and Wiregrass officials to pay $28 million for improvements to Bruce B. Downs Boulevard. Hillsborough officials say developments will create significant new demands on a strained road. Hillsborough's objections were not the basis of the appeal.