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Highlands Today

Council Sends Growth Report To State

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By JOE SEELIG

Highlands Today

Published: December 22, 2008

SEBRING - City council gave its blessing to a 10-year Evaluation and Appraisal Report (EAR) before it was submitted to the Department of Community Affairs (DCA), prepared by Michael Joachim Associates, its planning consultant.

The report is a review by the city of current and anticipated conditions, targets major issues that the city must address in the long and short term, while it complies with state statutes and rules and to make sure it is consistent with state and regional policy plans.

"Local government is required to adopt an Evaluation and Appraisal Report every 10 years," according to an agenda item summary. "Sebring's is due April 2009. To prepare for this, council held a joint workshop with the Planning and Zoning Board on Aug. 14, 2007."

Of course growth is a major issue throughout the state and planning for it is important.

At that time the council approved data and analysis of issues involving potable water, schools, economic development, parks and open space level of services. At the request of DCA annexation was added as an issue.

The planning and zoning board has been reviewing the draft report and held a public hearing on Dec. 9. Following the public hearing the board approved the document before forwarding the inch-thick document to DCA.

Michael Joachim and Tracy Mullins, with Michael Joachim Associates, presented the report to the council before submittal for a courtesy review. Joachim was seeking the council's input before submittal to the department.

Council approved the submittal of the document 3-0.
Councilman Scott Stanley said, "Since it's a requirement from the state, under duress, I will vote yes."
Councilwoman Margie Rhoades and Council President Bud Whitlock were absent.

The DCA would next issue a finding of sufficiency and the city will have a year to adopt the amended comprehensive plan and a year to redo its land development regulations.

Joe Seelig can be reached at (863) 386-5834 or jseelig@highlandstoday.com .

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