Planners consider Eagle center a dead issue

Highlands County has heard the last of Eagle National Security Training Center, but Southern Farms owner Ron Grigsby isn't saying whether he'll sue or appeal.

Shaw Stiller, general counsel for the Department of Community Affairs in Tallahassee, noted that Highlands County repealed a land use amendment for Southern Farms.

"By virtue of this rescission, the instant controversy has been rendered moot and this proceeding must be dismissed," Stiller said when he issued a final order.

On Dec. 18, administrative law Judge Lawrence Johnston also ordered the DCA file closed.

Those rulings came three weeks earlier than they were supposed to. The matter was set before Judge Johnston for Jan. 5.

On Wednesday, Southern Farms co-owner Ron Grigsby said Eagle will be built in an adjacent county, but won't say which one.

"All those jobs will go somewhere else," Grigsby said. Eagle National Security Training Center plans promised 250 jobs and $425 million in construction.

However, Grigsby would not confirm that he doesn't plan an appeal.

"I have not made a decision on that issue," Grigsby said.

Southern Farms was turned down three times by the Highlands County commissioners. Grigsby's attorney, Ron Weaver of Tampa, said in October he would file a circuit court appeal. However, Highlands County hasn't been notified of a suit yet, said Don Hanna and his supervisor, Development Services Director Mark Hill.

Grigsby was also represented by Bert Harris III of Lake Placid. No longer, said Hanna, a planner who handled the issue for Highlands County.

"Bert is out of the Eagle business altogether," Hanna said.

Hanna said he last heard from the Eagle applicants months ago.

"They said they were leaving their doors open, whatever that means," Hanna said.

As far as Hanna and Hill were concerned though, "It's a dead issue," Hanna said.