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Highlands Today

Las Villas Developer Requests Big Change

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By JOE SEELIG

Highlands Today

Published: February 5, 2009

SEBRING - A conceptual change to the way the Las Villas Community on Youth Care Lane will be developed was approved by the city council Tuesday after its developer requested splitting 50 duplexes into 100 single-family homes.

The development is located between Kenilworth Boulevard and Youth Care Lane.

At the heart of the request to develop the single-family housing units are changes to the lot lines, from the city's required 7.5 feet per unit apart, which comes to 15 feet apart, total, to 7 feet apart, total, Keith Carter, of Carter Construction Company LLC, told the city council.

During a presentation, Carter showed the council more extreme examples of housing spaced 5 feet apart in Vantage Pointe. He also showed pictures of homes in Hidden Creek, which are 11 feet apart.

"I like the single family better anyway," said Councilwoman Margie Rhoades.

However Rhoades raised an issue about fires.

"It's always been my understanding that it's been 15 feet because of concerns about fires," said Rhoades.

Councilman Bud Whitlock said he had spoken with the fire department about it six months ago and that it didn't see a problem.

Fire Chief Brad Batz was in the audience on another issue and said no one had spoken with him.

"I spoke with your fire-guy, back then," said Whitlock, referring to city Fire Inspector Second Lt. Mike McCann.

McCann said Wednesday that he recalled his telephone conversation with Whitlock.

"A question was posed to me about the distances," McCann said. "I told him that doesn't come under the fire prevention code."

McCann said he didn't feel he was giving carte blanche to the project from a fire department prospective.

"I basically referred him to the building department," said McCann.
Batz told the council they have practiced methods for attacking fires. His biggest concern would be radiant heat damage where the roofs overhang, which would be four feet apart.

"They build these things all over," he said. "It's nothing new."

The change is necessary due to the economic climate, said John Zervas, president of Caribbean Real Estate Developers, LLC, the project's developer.

"We're fighting for our lives," Zervas told the council.

They also sought the change in a desire to improve the existing community.

The people who have been coming in to look at the models are generally 55 and older, "empty nesters," he said.

"The distinctive appeal of Las Villas will not inherently change in density, living space, amenities, or the landscaping requirements originally set forth," Zervas wrote in a letter dated Jan. 20, to City Administrator Scott Noethlich.

"We feel this change can provide opportunities for a thriving neighborhood that can contribute to the economic growth of our area."

The three-bedroom, two-bathroom-villas cost $149,836, but the first 50 qualifying buyers could be awarded up to $50,000, bringing the cost to $99,836.

Assistance through Community Workforce Housing Innovation Pilot Program (CWHIPP), State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) and Housing Opportunity Partnership (HOP) is available for residents who are in a low-or middle-income range.

The $2.5 million workforce housing grant is already in place for the community, he said.

Fifty percent of this development is dedicated to provide essential workforce housing, Zervas said on Wednesday. These are homes for police, fire, school and public service employees.

There are currently nine families living in Las Villas, he said, including teachers and an employee with the county engineer, he said.

Potential buyers' eligibility for assistance is determined based on income and family size, an April 22, 2007 report stated.

The measure will next be taken up by the Planning and Zoning Board for a zoning change to the planned unit development (PUD), according to one city official.

Highlands Today reporter Joe Seelig can be reached at (863) 386-5834 or jseelig@highlandtoday.com .

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