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Highlands Today

County Delays Action On LP, Blue Head Ranch Growth Plans

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By JIM KONKOLY

Highlands Today

Published: December 29, 2008

SEBRING - The Highlands County commissioners voted last week to delay action on comprehensive plan amendments for major growth around Lake Placid and at the Blue Head Ranch until at least mid January.

The state Department of Community Affairs, which regulates growth, has raised major questions about:

•Two comprehensive amendments that would allow for development of up to 9,943 housing units, plus retail and office, in the areas north and south of Lake Placid; and

•AntlanticBlue's proposal to develop a stand-alone community for up to 125,000 people on its 65,000-acre Blue Head Ranch, off State Road 70, east of US 27.
County Administrator Michael Wright said the county must answer DCA's question on how the county would provide water and transportation and protect the environment, as well as justifying the need for so much potential growth.

The state also is asking for planning out to the year 2030, while the county's plans run only through 2010.

"We're basically stopped (from new comprehensive plan amendments) until we do this work," Wright said.

Wright said the detailed planning to back up these amendments entails so much work that the county planning staff, now two planners short, would need to work on it for a full year.

Consultants or other government agencies will need to assist the county in answering DCA's questions, Wright said.

By the commissioners Jan. 13 meeting, Wright said, he hopes to have a plan to address DCA's questions and a strategy to finance it.

Highlands Today reporter Jim Konkoly can be reached at 863-386-5855 or e-mail jkonkoly@highlandstoday.com

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