[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6314754,"mediaKeyId","2382678-956d78e8fbe563fbc56fe4f5bd5d8447","parentId",2382678,"title","Leesburg Heritage Society presents preliminary museum renovation plan; city staff to receive full proposal","audioSeconds",205,"startMs",3773000,"endMs",3978000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2382678-956d78e8fbe563fbc56fe4f5bd5d8447&start=3773&end=3978","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2382678-956d78e8fbe563fbc56fe4f5bd5d8447/thumbnail_3773000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6314754/Leesburg-City/Lake-County/Florida/Leesburg-Heritage-Society-presents-preliminary-museum-renovation-plan-city-staff-to-receive-full-proposal","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6314754-4d7e4805f9cda5536b99587b385a455f/orig.mp4?Expires=1776207727&Signature=ozw3xg83L8b6cZQsAJ5x0PM3MkDk8sFVg-FRs~eeJcgHBbU-bnJX8EN52-enbLwkUsTgdU0lomd4NN4avSCQHmojl0qj87Ibfl6MSYw-RuFPNeQglgiHUkxlyrkXe0V1LlY4SlNTzf1B9UWD~SYpUrtaYlXZXEdV7wd1AbyfLlwzM1ifjXS73pBFesBbO7ZBud04vqPcqS7NPonh4LYmx4zvLzY1N53i48Ja-M~t8BST42Rr-a9LmDmKIQmRaOxEXWB9BN98L5y97dbvP98XZiNVY8wipIS8RssTJ3FoOwXqRkUqtprEMpcIAzwt2If0YJxCDv-fwP2dhalsyOEsnw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Leesburg, FL","date","2025-02-24T23:55:42Z","article","Representatives of the Leesburg Heritage Society presented preliminary plans Feb. 24 for a comprehensive rehabilitation and modest addition to the Leesburg Heritage Museum building.

Contractor and presenter Daniel DiVonzo described the structure as a roughly 5,000-square-foot mission-style building and outlined a proposal to add approximately 1,000 square feet in a two-story addition that would provide an ADA elevator, second-floor circulation, restrooms on both floors and a small catering/serving area (no commercial cooking). The plans discussed replacing glass and doors, stucco work, restoring a historic facade on Sixth Street and replacing mechanical, plumbing and electrical systems.

DiVonzo said the project would modernize the museum while retaining the building’s historic character; he said he had prepared a preliminary budget that he described as “close” and estimated a final delivered cost under $200 per square foot once documents were prepared and bids obtained. The Heritage Society said it had hired a contractor and an architect with restoration experience and planned a full presentation to the commission in two weeks.

Commissioners and speakers at the meeting emphasized the city’s history and the museum’s role in preserving local heritage; no formal vote or funding request was taken at the meeting. Staff said the society’s preliminary materials will be scheduled for a future detailed presentation so the commission and staff can consider funding options or grant opportunities that might support the work.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","CRA and City of Leesburg Commission Meeting February 24, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Members of the Leesburg Heritage Society presented concept drawings and a scope-of-work for renovating the Leesburg Heritage Museum building, including a proposed 1,000 sq. ft. two-story elevator addition and full interior/exterior rehabilitation; the society said a full presentation will come to the commission in two weeks.","taxTitle","Leesburg City, Lake County, Florida","taxId",4692,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6314757,"Commission renews West Leesburg CDC lease at Resource Center for three years after debate over term length",505,4269000,4774000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2382678-956d78e8fbe563fbc56fe4f5bd5d8447&start=4269&end=4774","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2382678-956d78e8fbe563fbc56fe4f5bd5d8447/thumbnail_4269000.jpg","/articles/6314757/Leesburg-City/Lake-County/Florida/Commission-renews-West-Leesburg-CDC-lease-at-Resource-Center-for-three-years-after-debate-over-term-length","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6314757-47930f4a0ae7e863a9cd0ad0d916397a/orig.mp4?Expires=1776207727&Signature=o-PJHL-7k1niqEVBKrUg~yNxAYdajBf~3lTKbiZ~0~sAwUySCLeaDKW0xf12O3wrq2oWqdSaqhHo6vi9WfD6ccVZ-wVjD3udcwoInuyZv7zxjpjfJ2ZemVLvCieOlWFU4qCuSdZCJCt4ReCgADSvofqIh5C-kLhPJjs~8dBJTdXZoKMhqS1T4vEWNwXh~woiD2lRIhXWJdTpOyBb8gzcKASnhF~e0i3KLLauIgW5x6P6G9K0toJjO34U17Qo5g2WWAVznG4mlXJrzwWpTmI9LEKA7SRhFMy7R6whY~DagfXHTerFwmoaXnlRgi7eFrTgmYPMZGnZ3LnbRBwT1Z8CyA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Commission on Feb. 24 approved a three-year renewal lease authorizing the mayor and city clerk to execute a lease with the West Leesburg Community Development Corporation for office space at the Leesburg Resource Center.

Commissioners debated whether the organization should receive a longer-term lease. One commissioner moved to extend the lease to 10 years; the motion failed for lack of a second. Commissioners and the city manager said the city historically issued three-year leases for the West Leesburg CDC and that the commission could adopt a different term if it chose. Several commissioners said they preferred shorter leases to preserve flexibility in city planning; others and the CDC’s president, Fred Griffin Jr., urged a longer term to provide organizational stability given that the resource center building was originally built to house the West Leesburg CDC.

Fred Griffin Jr., president of West Leesburg CDC, told the commission that the organization had no plans to leave the building and that a longer lease would help planning and operations. After debate, the commission returned to the staff-recommended three-year term and approved the lease by roll call.

The resolution authorizes signature on the lease and keeps the CDC in its current office space under the three-year renewable agreement. Staff said the lease structure and any future term changes will be brought to the commission for consideration.","After discussion and a failed attempt to extend the term to 10 years, the commission approved a three-year renewal lease between the city and the West Leesburg Community Development Corporation for office space at the Leesburg Resource Center.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6314765,"Leesburg commission suspends fluoride injection project, city manager cites legislative uncertainty and cost savings",450,5226000,5676000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2382678-956d78e8fbe563fbc56fe4f5bd5d8447&start=5226&end=5676","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2382678-956d78e8fbe563fbc56fe4f5bd5d8447/thumbnail_5226000.jpg","/articles/6314765/Leesburg-City/Lake-County/Florida/Leesburg-commission-suspends-fluoride-injection-project-city-manager-cites-legislative-uncertainty-and-cost-savings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6314765-39f8fe16a5a0cb4a42fcda6076f6d2e2/orig.mp4?Expires=1776207727&Signature=G4px1RjAX51FjqjFSjPH-L~t1mu7LZRSX9mOGkEN4wipWhgYSl6X60vGNRUb8hEyBvzzaW-NfpgqMU2HLOI4HP9zpV~F3bYf8dd08Y1xUvSshGw0-jk~p-h1CVJT5E~FLnuI5iXXwybYTQAdRDjQ-U67Ccl~mdblBjMS8xfs6s--Tl5VhM3wtfuQ-n2M8ISIns1TC5TsxHAPYZbyra60pz4n1wvM4L~ONrXq2iiUvn1HAFtrpp3~gv2p9VxW6-T08vf0p0VCpiDCDaOQW4d6Y3TGGCia~u7L6m-8pFET4KrrpYb3bc6keO0GAHiqpy1GthVCcCu8ItgG6Sg4eTmD7g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Commission voted Feb. 24 to suspend the city’s fluoride-injection system project while state and federal developments play out, and after staff said they had administratively stopped project work to conserve funds.

City staff told the commission the utility project remained technically feasible but that recent policy changes and pending legislation created uncertainty. The city manager said Senate Bill 700 in Tallahassee—language under consideration that would narrow allowable additives in public drinking water—and possible changes at the federal level made proceeding with an expensive retrofit premature. The manager said halting work saved roughly $225,000 in city funds on a project that had an estimated total cost in the neighborhood of $600,000, and that about $100,000 of equipment could be repurposed for other uses.

Commissioners said they had reviewed the materials and several said they had changed their views since earlier action. Public comment during the meeting included multiple speakers urging the commission to stop fluoridation for health or informed-consent reasons; other members of the public and staff had previously discussed public-health rationales for fluoridation during earlier hearings.

By formal vote the commission approved the resolution to suspend the fluoride injection system; staff will not proceed with further procurement or construction pending any legislative or federal changes and until the commission gives further direction. The motion and roll-call vote passed as recorded in the meeting minutes (transcript records the resolution reading, staff presentation and a roll-call approval). The decision halts the city’s immediate programmatic spending on fluoridation and directs staff to preserve funds and equipment for alternative uses or to await further direction.

The resolution does not adopt a permanent policy change; commission members noted the decision was made in part because of pending state and federal activity and to avoid committing to purchases that might be precluded by new law or guidance. Staff said they would return with any legislative updates and with further recommendations should the policy landscape change.
","The City Commission voted to suspend the city’s fluoride-injection project after staff halted work administratively. The city manager said pending state legislation and federal developments made proceeding premature; staff estimate roughly $225,000 in savings from the suspension.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6314770,"Commission approves rezoning of old Lee School site for 102-unit apartment PUD; height draws objections",1024,4676000,5700000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2382678-956d78e8fbe563fbc56fe4f5bd5d8447&start=4676&end=5700","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2382678-956d78e8fbe563fbc56fe4f5bd5d8447/thumbnail_4676000.jpg","/articles/6314770/Leesburg-City/Lake-County/Florida/Commission-approves-rezoning-of-old-Lee-School-site-for-102-unit-apartment-PUD-height-draws-objections","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6314770-bfd12ce1e2d5b055fa4ad8820274dbc4/orig.mp4?Expires=1776207727&Signature=V7Dd0ty3INKyBmr4lGc-n2GDNlOWXfBlFbPYDqlIta0d6rxAS3t1DAN7Ar8LDIZ1AAn~BW9G81cLH3z5zFzU1dkXoNa63XpVtt7Pibd~xeAfJxKsYs19ROlnRGCMO~5U4MGw~2-kFQFN3Npv5QaAtaHXQaR23vHXM2b6r9EWOm0ABqj5uX7pX4~Xm-bS-67qN4WjPFf4nJppquBsrutECabhQ5YCL9YpRRHG-21cVPz03JvL4sFNzRkjzIcdPXaSZIy~3xnuEdZcCLkX~efDhef9vLSSKrvq1uoqvRuZhY8Q4tUCT6Oy9hFuYO3lg-oAjNjpVPWqf5ZhiV8SAfMj-w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Commission on Feb. 24 approved an ordinance rezoning about 4.87 acres of the former Lee School site to a small planned unit development to allow a 102-unit multifamily project.

City planning staff described the site boundaries (west of Lee Street, north of Herndon Street, east of Perkins Street and south of West Line Street) and the PUD’s key provisions: up to 102 multifamily units in a four-story building, a 50-foot setback from adjacent roads, 35% open space, a required 10,000-square-foot recreation area and site monumentation commemorating the former Lee School. The PUD contains a phasing clause that would revert zoning to a lower density if substantial commencement of work does not occur within 48 months.

Dan Miller, planning director, and the applicant’s representative outlined the property’s history: the school was vacated as a school in the early 2000s, rezoned several times, and years passed without a viable redevelopment. Planning staff and the applicant said prior rezoning efforts had not produced a developer and that demolition of the old school buildings was allowed by the Historic Preservation Board in 2024 to enable reuse of the parcel.

Commissioners debated whether the proposal’s four-story height fit the neighborhood. The planning commission had recommended a three-story limit in its motion; several city commissioners said a three-story building could accommodate roughly the same number of units but would affect the site footprint and open space. One commissioner who visited a comparable four-story project in Ocala said taller buildings could be a tool to limit outward sprawl and increase housing supply; others said four stories would be too tall and urged more green space.

After discussion the commission voted to approve the ordinance by roll call (transcript records the motion and subsequent roll call vote). The PUD’s design standards, parking to meet city code and other requirements remain conditions of approval; staff will monitor the 48-month substantial-commencement clause.

The action rezones the property for multifamily use; it does not itself authorize construction permits. The developer will need to comply with design standards shown in the PUD exhibits and submit any required site-plan and building-permit applications. Planning staff said the PUD restricts uses to multi-family residential and sets specific landscaping, fencing and lighting standards intended to limit impacts on adjacent neighborhoods.","The commission rezoned roughly 4.87 acres previously occupied by Lee School for a planned unit development to allow a 102-unit multifamily project. Commissioners and planning staff debated building height and open-space tradeoffs; the ordinance passed by roll call.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6314775,"Leesburg CRA approves NAPA facade grant, sends Mystic Ice Cream mural to Arts Advisory Board",951,656000,1607000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2382678-956d78e8fbe563fbc56fe4f5bd5d8447&start=656&end=1607","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2382678-956d78e8fbe563fbc56fe4f5bd5d8447/thumbnail_656000.jpg","/articles/6314775/Leesburg-City/Lake-County/Florida/Leesburg-CRA-approves-NAPA-facade-grant-sends-Mystic-Ice-Cream-mural-to-Arts-Advisory-Board","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6314775-d75ee06ad2dfdb96ec2c5e0980ede8c6/orig.mp4?Expires=1776207727&Signature=o7C9f4C0VZXTDH0kjAiyyePrngsi1hXj3P772ba5WswTzeH2GdyL68qG4ph2YSxsteFZ6PWSwwmeAG01SwHpNpIpXaNhjzXfeGdzuk6qWAQ94wcJ9NLCYRb69w0IRWT0rYSJYmsMEfzoL1O9KNQP4NrfYNOuYUIxg4q8hSWsaXXoYU7AHwDjsWaU~aa~PbSY5KJCs3~ZflyadE4vs7BOl1rA8IdXFUnCwGqsbhMo5r07l2Oop7t8X0WqgidDvg4-hIwYthiQb4bhUgM5XtPZsGrZ52LII-krhZ5683tNt7EtooLAXge8LWjXgUDF~v9bahSNeblw4~QVw1au9F47Qw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Greater Leesburg Community Redevelopment Agency voted Feb. 24 to approve a fiscal-year 2025 facade sign grant for a NAPA store and to send a separate mural proposal for Mystic Ice Cream to the Public Arts Advisory Board for review.

The grant resolution — described at the meeting as the FY25 facade sign and landscape grant awards — prompted commissioners to press staff about vendor selection and procurement practice. Several commissioners said they were uncomfortable awarding public grant money when the NAPA sign builder was out-of-state and when the application included only a single contractor quote.

Commissioners questioned whether the program should require multiple bids or a local preference. Staff noted the program’s $25,000 grant cap and that internal purchasing policy calls for three written quotes for city expenditures above about $19,000; staff also said the facade program historically has not required three quotes for every award. After discussion about whether the NAPA contract was subject to a corporate nationwide contract, staff confirmed that some corporate vendors are designated by their companies and must be used under those contracts.

Commissioners initially moved to table consideration of both the NAPA sign and the Mystic Ice Cream mural while staff sought additional bids and routed the mural to the arts board. After the NAPA representative explained the vendor's corporate procurement constraints, the maker of the table motion withdrew it and the commission voted to approve the NAPA sign award as recommended (roll-call vote recorded in the transcript: four yes, one no).

Separately, the commission discussed an oversight: staff had not submitted the Mystic Ice Cream mural to the Public Arts Advisory Board before bringing the award to the CRA. Owner Darryl Tay spoke in support of the mural, saying the project represented months of planning and that the business had applied for the grant under prior program rules that did not reference review by an arts board. Commissioners agreed to send the mural to the arts board for formal review; the commission later approved language allowing the mural to proceed subject to the arts board’s review (roll call recorded: four yes, one no).

The votes resolved two items in the same resolution: the NAPA sign award was approved and the Mystic Ice Cream mural will undergo the arts board review before the commission takes final action on that element. Staff said it would return to the commission with any required follow-up once the arts board and the applicants provided their materials.

Community members and applicants in the meeting noted they could have supplied additional local quotes if asked at application time. Staff said the facade program was intended to be business-friendly and that any change to require multiple bids or a firm local-vendor preference could be implemented prospectively if the commission directed it.

The commission’s action leaves the NAPA award in place and routes the Mystic Ice Cream mural to the Public Arts Advisory Board for formal recommendation back to the commission.","The Greater Leesburg Community Redevelopment Agency approved a facade grant for a NAPA auto-parts sign after debate about bidders and contractor origin, and directed staff to route a separate Mystic Ice Cream mural application to the city's Public Arts Advisory Board for review.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Leesburg Heritage Society presents preliminary museum renovation plan; city staff to receive full proposal

Commission renews West Leesburg CDC lease at Resource Center for three years after debate over term length

Leesburg commission suspends fluoride injection project, city manager cites legislative uncertainty and cost savings

Commission approves rezoning of old Lee School site for 102-unit apartment PUD; height draws objections

Leesburg CRA approves NAPA facade grant, sends Mystic Ice Cream mural to Arts Advisory Board