Local News

Sebring lot eyed for eye center

JOE SEELIG
Published: August 18, 2012

SEBRING - Carl Cool of Cool and Cobb Engineering will represent Dr. T. Hunter Newsom before the Sebring City Council on Tuesday in a request for the annexation and development of a property at 4211 U.S. 27 N., across from the 24/7 gas station.

The vacant property is directly north of Pizzano's Pizza and Grinderz, between U.S. 27 and the northern end of Virginia Street.

According to a copy of a site plan submitted to the city, Newsom proposed to build a three-story, 20,000-square-foot building to house a new surgical center and office, with a parking lot on three sides and entrance from U.S. 27, on the 440-foot by 230-foot lot.

The agenda item summary stated, "Annex and approve construction of a 20,000-to-40,000 square foot, three-to-four story medical office and surgery center."

"In order for the development to happen, we would like to ask the city council for the following," wrote Cool in an Aug. 10, letter to City Administrator Scott Noethlich.

"First — Request to annex the property into the city in a city zoning district that will allow the 20,000-square-foot doctor's office with two lighted signs on the building and one lighted sign not attached to the building.

"Second — Request to connect to the city water and sewer systems. Dr. Newsom will be responsible to provide the water main extension and the lift station and force main into the city system.

"Third — Request the city apply for a Community Development Block Grant for the cost of the water, sewer, deceleration lanes and driveway modifications."

Cool said the requirements for the CDBG includes, among other things, that it provides at least 21 low- and moderate-income jobs. This project was expected to provide 80 jobs, he said.

The application period for the grant is Aug. 15, through Oct. 1. The agenda item included a schedule of several public hearings, including annexation and rezoning as well as those required by the economic development grant.

Newsom also seeks a variance for up to 1,000 square feet of signage.

At issue are two 300-square-foot wall signs being proposed, one on the north side of the building and one on the south side, and a 400-square-foot freestanding sign in front of the building, which would replace a billboard on the property.

The city's sign code would allow signage up to 900 square feet, one "point-of-sale sign" and one "ID sign," Cool stated. The city does not allow a freestanding sign greater than 300 square feet.

"Dr. Newsom could circumvent the city's sign regulations by creating a small 20,000-square-foot lot around the existing billboard, leaving that lot in the county, and place his freestanding sign/billboard on that lot," Cool said.

Noethlich did not return a call for information by press time.