[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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],{"_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",6119638,"mediaKeyId","2711505-3c4818d7948f76aa1b4d35941bd8709c","parentId",2711505,"title","Council approves plats, utility ordinance reading and road transfer; schedules Harder Hall workshop","audioSeconds",4018,"startMs",6440000,"endMs",10458000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2711505-3c4818d7948f76aa1b4d35941bd8709c&start=6440&end=10458","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2711505-3c4818d7948f76aa1b4d35941bd8709c/thumbnail_6440000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6119638/Sebring/Highlands-County/Florida/Council-approves-plats-utility-ordinance-reading-and-road-transfer-schedules-Harder-Hall-workshop","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6119638-9925cdc437c90b41fd082df05fd2b8b4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191522&Signature=FhQgijZALHGLesljqBhx1zkx2P9NCLXfK72YiylQWkXle6q74bFsDuNZLiO4jqvFG4ziM0kE8~eo5fOsgpoiwwf51XZvuEqOCA1mCY73ePXO1XFqO8NpVVyJgdfJ-9HLHQgeL6n9Lt5k7wZKFWPPo6VN7ecYbwoxiHxFglwKfMCuY9byQBl7~Ls~9Ef5OtXhJp5thp5FiutAql2bfWfeKQ4BpjFoCXMWXYdBk-ndGQCe0Q2OzeXloiKJBUpOVT~-fYnQFLlw0AJA-D4QzJ-LVXHPqVBcV1NH6~YLOYlqFTwE-usoa~GG0ycdeBgAgC3k-E~Pi0zTyiEVsroCRaxTfA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Sebring, FL","date","2025-03-19T13:04:12Z","article","At its March 18, 2025 meeting the Sebring City Council approved several administrative and procedural items and announced the result of a ballot referendum.

Key council actions recorded that evening included:

- Plat approval: The council approved a plat submitted by Sparta Ministries Inc. to divide a roughly 20-acre tract off Sudan Mission Road into three large lots. The motion was approved with one councilor abstaining due to a disclosed financial relationship with the plat applicant (vote recorded: yes – Mendel, Stewart, Fisher; abstain – Jeffrey).

- Utility connection ordinance (first reading): Council approved on first reading a proposed ordinance amending Chapter 23 to require City Council approval before properties outside the city limits may connect to the city utility system. The ordinance adds criteria councils can consider (financial, economic, aesthetic, environmental and planning impacts) and set a second and final reading for April 4, 2025.

- Road transfer: Council approved a proposed road transfer and maintenance swap with the Florida Department of Transportation and Highlands County that would transfer control of a section of State Road 17 (US 27 to Sebring Parkway) to the city while giving the state responsibility for the Parkway corridor; FDOT indicated annual maintenance costs for the segment are roughly $79,000.

- Contract due-diligence extension: Council approved extending the city’s due-diligence period to April 11, 2025, for the pending purchase of the Bridal Trust property (phase details and environmental reporting were discussed earlier in the meeting).

- Workshop scheduling: Council approved a motion to schedule a workshop with Harder Hall ownership and staff to discuss the proposed golf-course ground lease (see separate article). The motion passed unanimously.

Referendum result: City administration announced the results of a local referendum asking whether to change the Clerk/Treasurer position from elected to appointed. The vote count reported in the meeting was 64 yes and 82 no; therefore the referendum failed and the Clerk/Treasurer remains an elected position.

Why it matters: These routine but consequential procedural actions affect long-range planning, utility governance, right-of-way control and property development in and around Sebring. The utility ordinance in particular changes the approval path for out-of-city development seeking city services.

Next steps: The utility ordinance will return for final reading April 4, 2025. The workshop with Harder Hall ownership is to be scheduled; staff will return with any negotiated agreements and follow-up reports for council consideration.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Council Meeting 3/18/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The City Council approved a three-lot plat, advanced an ordinance to require council approval for outside-city utility connections to second reading, approved a road transfer with FDOT and extended due diligence on a city property purchase, March 18, 2025.","taxTitle","Sebring, Highlands County, Florida","taxId",3821,"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},6119643,"Hotel owners propose ground lease for Harder Hall golf course; council schedules workshop",4747,3017000,7764000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2711505-3c4818d7948f76aa1b4d35941bd8709c&start=3017&end=7764","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2711505-3c4818d7948f76aa1b4d35941bd8709c/thumbnail_3017000.jpg","/articles/6119643/Sebring/Highlands-County/Florida/Hotel-owners-propose-ground-lease-for-Harder-Hall-golf-course-council-schedules-workshop","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6119643-78a53b796269f39583c2b09af78aea5a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191522&Signature=I5TELifC6VaNMeOLOikMgfhIjbOoL9M2V4KdDND8RdKfGHlD718jDEOfNpjzWOiZi~qlruLDA3e5ZxCgMkNhkZb~~HXxSsdLTRMO-VS2FgjA-It35oNt~DMLCptmZ5O2Sl6c7LHiDgghCCqLz1-sHnbqw~s3V9bgwXVgEyCX-xr1PYDDmvnEoaye6~sl2zF3RcaYti1R-n7aPITxu0iw3noXZ-U3Vof7~U04PAJqbnMlqj1mE8pYwukppRDnRh0bWkwWY8IOpfPtwSXgP6X7xP7zwoSx~5dsHwNQAOkS3zPKfiBFgYOedc0PF9VYvtHC6efzISdIOwNQ3U1QTQ5sbw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representatives of Harder Hall’s ownership and their attorney presented a proposed ground lease on March 18, 2025, that would transfer operation and financial responsibility for the municipal golf course from the City of Sebring to the Harder Hall ownership group.

Brian Sykes, attorney for the Blackman family principals, described the proposed ground lease as a mechanism for the city to retain land ownership while the tenant (the ownership group) takes on all operating costs, maintenance and capital improvements for the golf course. Sykes said the city would shed an annual subsidy currently needed to operate the course—citing the city’s 2023 financials showing roughly $798,302 in golf course revenues and $1,307,946 in expenses—and the tenant would be required to keep the course maintained and available to the public.

Robert Blackman, speaking for the ownership group, said his family had invested roughly $10 million to stabilize and renovate Harder Hall and argued the hotel project was not commercially viable without an on-site golf amenity. Blackman said the ownership planned capital investments in both the hotel and the course and proposed to retain current staff and the restaurant lease (Caddyshack), honor existing memberships and undertake drainage and other improvements to reduce recurring flooding.

Council members and the public welcomed the ownership’s work restoring Harder Hall and acknowledged improvements at the municipal course under current management. Councilors nonetheless expressed concerns about specific contractual terms in the proposed ground lease, including the long lease term (up to 99 years in the draft), the city’s long-term rights over drainage parcels and the impact on city maintenance responsibilities for other recreation facilities. Several councilors pushed for a public workshop to review the lease language, terms that protect city assets, staff retention and any infrastructure changes needed if the lease were approved.

The council did not take final action on a ground lease that night. Instead it approved a motion to schedule a workshop with the Blackman ownership group and city staff to develop a mutually acceptable agreement and to examine alternatives, timing and potential impacts on city facilities and staff. The motion passed by voice vote with Carlisle, Avery, Mendel, Stewart and Fisher recorded in favor.

Why it matters: The proposal seeks to stop annual taxpayer subsidies for the municipal golf course, preserve a public recreational asset and align the course with a $10 million renovation of a landmark hotel. It would transfer operating risk from taxpayers to a private ownership group while keeping land ownership with the city—if the council and owners agree to terms.

Next steps: Council scheduled a workshop to negotiate contract details, staffing protections and infrastructure responsibilities. Ownership representatives asked the council to accelerate discussion to align with the city’s fiscal calendar; council members requested time to review the draft lease and to resolve technical issues (maintenance buildings, equipment, drainage parcel use) in the workshop.","Harder Hall owners asked the council to approve a ground lease transferring operation of the municipal golf course to the Harder Hall ownership group. Councilors expressed support but raised contract, staffing and long-term control questions and voted to schedule a workshop with the owners to negotiate terms.",{"_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},6119648,"Council denies first-reading land-use changes for 1809 Home Avenue after public debate",1746,1214000,2960000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2711505-3c4818d7948f76aa1b4d35941bd8709c&start=1214&end=2960","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2711505-3c4818d7948f76aa1b4d35941bd8709c/thumbnail_1214000.jpg","/articles/6119648/Sebring/Highlands-County/Florida/Council-denies-first-reading-land-use-changes-for-1809-Home-Avenue-after-public-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6119648-b6f0266d75f9bb2353b54bb02f03cf9b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191522&Signature=bu1kEK59HKpPEimwUk2IOERjsGFe-jG~eccsXQpnOQaLKfziMHU167shEh8YkQEQBG0Ep3X6QXkAK6AgzyuQuZiWujbLJ4LBXjyQVYiyHdHiRwcPOd616N04lIbDoZ3OJTRfY3uQJjhC7BAme47xJI9BqDRoJq~wxgchN7lT5DNqLw4t1Jk0LvUp-97OLzN87cI7zVuJkyA12lLIPW~YFN3VTv-zUfktb7pUlEmR9QM6v9YQtKtme7NyCAlCfqd9fMmhbdQ5ttsB4s0c07NDwQun92U69v42Hjm~FJAlkVJrJf69TssflS--wj3XvsyuH~RFKZ8FiO4vVEndp4PcMg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Sebring City Council voted on March 18, 2025, to deny on first reading two related measures—Ordinance 15-36 (future land use change) and Ordinance 15-37 (zoning change)—that would have reclassified a 1.38-acre property at 1809 Home Avenue formerly used by the Masonic Lodge from public/single-family to commercial.

The proposal drew a lengthy presentation from Marissa Barbee of the Central Florida Regional Planning Council, who described the site, existing septic service, surrounding uses and the difference between the current public land-use designation and the requested commercial designation. Barbee told the council the parcel could support up to about 42,000 square feet of nonresidential uses under a commercial future land use but noted the site’s septic system would limit development until wastewater connection was available.

The applicant’s representative, Dana Riddell of Stonehenge Land Development Consultants, said the buyers—David Lydell and Will Swain—intended to complete the pending purchase and wanted the rezoning to allow a range of commercial uses. Riddell acknowledged some potentially undesirable uses (for example, a lounge) were technically permitted under the requested commercial district but said the applicants had no present intent to operate such a use and argued redevelopment would be constrained by site size, parking and the existing building.

Members of the public raised concerns about the request being a spot zoning change, traffic impacts on Home Avenue, the absence of a concrete plan from prospective buyers and the potential for alcohol-related uses near an existing church. Jeff Carlson, Stanley Epling (Sebring Masonic Lodge secretary) and Christopher Tuffley spoke during the public hearing; Epling urged the council to move the sale forward to stop disruption to lodge activities, while others asked for either a plan development limiting certain uses or more study.

Council debate focused on compatibility with the long-range plan, whether the request amounted to spot zoning and how a commercial designation would outlast the current buyer. One councilor said a plan development that excluded a small number of uses would be preferable; another argued the parkway corridor was shifting toward commercial uses and favored the rezoning. Ultimately the motion to deny Ordinance 15-36 on first reading passed. Council then denied Ordinance 15-37 on first reading by a separate motion.

Votes (as recorded on the transcript): On Ordinance 15-36 denial (first reading) the roll call recorded Carlisle — Yes; Avery — Abstain (business partner conflict noted); Mendel — Yes; Stewart — Yes; Bishop — Yes. For Ordinance 15-37 denial (first reading) a similar roll call followed with Carlisle — Yes; Haley — Abstain (same reasons noted); Stewart — Yes; Bishop — Yes; Mendel recorded as No in the transcript’s sequence (see provenance). The council clarified on the record that, for the motion as phrased, a “yes” vote meant rejecting the requested change.

Why it matters: The council’s decision keeps the property designated for public use under the comprehensive plan and preserves the existing residential zoning classification. Councilors and members of the public repeatedly invoked the town’s prior North Sebring sector planning work and urged comprehensive rather than parcel-by-parcel changes.

Next steps: The denials were on first reading; the council treated the matters as concluded for this cycle. Applicants and property owners may return with revised applications or requests that limit certain uses or that include a plan development if they so choose.","On first reading the City Council voted to deny two linked ordinances that would have changed the future land use and zoning of 1809 Home Avenue from public/single-family to commercial, after public speakers and councilors raised questions about spot zoning, traffic and future uses.",{"_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},6119633,"Council hears state legislative briefing that could affect city finances and planning",1323,7685000,9008000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2711505-3c4818d7948f76aa1b4d35941bd8709c&start=7685&end=9008","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2711505-3c4818d7948f76aa1b4d35941bd8709c/thumbnail_7685000.jpg","/articles/6119633/Sebring/Highlands-County/Florida/Council-hears-state-legislative-briefing-that-could-affect-city-finances-and-planning","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6119633-5ce1550966ef620b4235f0bd4568e4fe/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191522&Signature=PfJxqIoELMk7HnpjUVt5AXbemIokO-ZzWhXfcOR~NZNs3qqBXrPD4imM59EN100l07SUqp9PGvyIfJL1YGchaIHHSzrg8qBV0sUKjLfOESvD7fwPxt-bAICQNtaq3QxG9heddcjLXL7-rXMtZ~fUzE~DjmCsm6k09k6i-fWa5Z47X6MsIzjTd0Hgfph5r4EY5YSixNqDA52cuJbewwtu0mKuQQbNUNnTrdMMWNhuLyMRj84eST7bIU4dXbFrkFgKQIT~ygF9FzjR7oBa0hIJbaKu1EHjZ~JhJB77y9INUmwMPAiEqF3iLnJBIX5BX-cSEx3kUWoVei~oWOTqj6833w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Budget and grants coordinator Jared Lee briefed the City Council on March 18, 2025 about state legislation the city is tracking and the potential impacts on Sebring’s budget and governance.

Lee summarized priority bills and explained likely consequences if they pass in their current forms. Highlights included a statewide proposal to sunset or prohibit new Community Redevelopment Agencies (CRAs) by 2045 and to limit future CRA project funding; changes that would restrict cities’ ability to charge utility service surcharges for properties outside city limits (affecting an estimated share of local utility revenue); proposals to raise the homestead/property tax exemption floor (which could reduce local ad valorem revenue); and an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) bill that would curtail local regulation of ADUs and could expand short-term rental-type activity.

Staff warned that some bills would shift significant revenue pressure to local governments (for example, property tax cap increases and changes to utility surcharges) or reduce local land-use control (live-local/ADU bills and charter school siting rules). Lee recommended the council identify priorities for lobbying and stay ready to contact legislators if bills with large local impacts advanced to floor votes.

Councilors asked staff to monitor several bills closely—particularly CRA reform (which could affect downtown redevelopment financing), utility surcharges, and ADU/short-term rental changes—and requested advance notice when bills in the briefing reached pivotal committee or floor votes. Lee said he would prepare short, targeted briefs and alert the mayor and council when bills reached those stages.

Why it matters: Several bills described could materially change the city’s revenue base, the tools available for downtown and redevelopment finance and the local control over land use and housing types. City staff and councilors said they would monitor the session and engage lawmakers on items that threaten municipal budgets or operational capacity.

Next steps: Staff will circulate concise updates as priority bills advance; council directed staff to flag any legislation that becomes critical and to request the mayor or councilmembers contact state representatives when needed.","City staff summarized several Florida bills under consideration that could affect Sebring finances, redevelopment tools and local control — including proposed changes to community redevelopment agencies, utility service rules, property tax exemptions and accessory dwelling regulations.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves plats, utility ordinance reading and road transfer; schedules Harder Hall workshop

Hotel owners propose ground lease for Harder Hall golf course; council schedules workshop

Council denies first-reading land-use changes for 1809 Home Avenue after public debate

Council hears state legislative briefing that could affect city finances and planning