[{"_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",6062068,"mediaKeyId","3280786-4130f66d7e5262e88f1b207a4d42ff3f","parentId",3280786,"title","Town planner urges broad code clean-up; council OKs prioritizing building permits, stormwater and concurrency","audioSeconds",1008,"startMs",4078000,"endMs",5086000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3280786-4130f66d7e5262e88f1b207a4d42ff3f&start=4078&end=5086","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3280786-4130f66d7e5262e88f1b207a4d42ff3f/thumbnail_4078000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6062068/Lake-Placid/Highlands-County/Florida/Town-planner-urges-broad-code-clean-up-council-OKs-prioritizing-building-permits-stormwater-and-concurrency","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6062068-bbb5fc8709872e394867d47ee2fc78f5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145917&Signature=SjvW46-Ko2kVtPvEHABy2iOkGejHUJ38dEfmaxdBsyAKrckYWGm8cCDAMKQRcBsU0medGYym6tmTpsghxqbRI7WQv8e3WaqY37LR-C8mZvF-CMeL6ATugCoL1IqOax4vDLJWrGPlA3Rj047Mj9jh35cCNg3MNWPTWLa-yBbhsETQH6m4tr~KmZZvf8bnPMLdDS-3onEkD6J08lwBRlrojhiu5gS57pE0QfuktuRbF3WsUV4t-j-cina4XC7TjMcxdwoD97bMX-x~jdAtlY45EiG3WFTGRYSpZGWr1Z9iNvodHH6Au8GAqhhv2fHeNvSbm8Uh~ij3nR3eXi3eAK31zw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Lake Placid, FL","date","2025-05-13T02:13:26Z","article","Town Planner Dana Riddell told the Lake Placid Town Council that the town’s municipal code needs extensive updates to correct legal gaps, align with Florida statutes and reduce enforcement inconsistencies.

Riddell, who described the list as a high-level inventory, said she identified 17 areas for revision including a simple requirement for building permits that mirror Highlands County’s practice, stormwater management and MS4 permit alignment, concurrency standards and inventories, clearer criteria for zoning decisions (special exceptions and future land-use amendments), regulations for docks and seawalls, RV/overnight-stay rules, architectural and setback clarifications, fence rules for vacant lots, home-occupation standards, and sign-code updates to align with First Amendment case law.

Riddell said some sections are quick “copy-and-paste” updates from county codes while others need deeper legal review. She recommended starting with the highest-priority items (building permits, stormwater, concurrency and criteria for land-use decisions) and offered an hourly consultant contract approach for staff-level drafting work. Council members said they supported focusing on a small set of “top three” or “top five” priorities and asked Riddell and the town administrator to meet and refine the scope for immediate action. Several council members noted that some matters could rely on existing county rules until the town adopts its own text.

Why it matters: many permitting and development decisions can be challenged if local codes lack clear standards. Riddell warned that courts can overturn zoning decisions that do not rest on written criteria. The proposed updates aim to reduce legal exposure and make the town’s review process more predictable for applicants and staff.

Next steps: the council asked staff to meet and return with a refined work plan focused on the top three items and to proceed with consultant work under the advertised RFP if needed.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Town of Lake Placid Regular Meeting -5/12/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Town Planner Dana Riddell presented a prioritized list of code updates and told the Lake Placid Town Council that building-permit rules, stormwater alignment and clearer decision criteria should be addressed first.","taxTitle","Lake Placid, Highlands County, Florida","taxId",54067,"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},6062058,"Lake Placid council accepts single RFP, moves to contract Stonehenge for planner services",355,8026000,8381000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3280786-4130f66d7e5262e88f1b207a4d42ff3f&start=8026&end=8381","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3280786-4130f66d7e5262e88f1b207a4d42ff3f/thumbnail_8026000.jpg","/articles/6062058/Lake-Placid/Highlands-County/Florida/Lake-Placid-council-accepts-single-RFP-moves-to-contract-Stonehenge-for-planner-services","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6062058-63b9841b69108478a5ad265eb34346c4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145917&Signature=i~NRJBHiKZp3WTS7UJs3kUq17ziYGAbAFYj9J9Tz~697pEs3DdJDGt6-yC7tq9SgbRcaHm1i2Ng6LEcXz5h2rfKfOgqJcMurQHCpNrJ-Jok8iX1Lrfk0XrJWGvBS5OwKQYBR8KWIRyWkfDtZmyk-~QO9e7i9931Fii~sTQurqo8bbELdirEW1XA35mkle3h4dI13YUjg3jzJ0ZL4mVl-Bl1CQw2TyzC1jKWWtVsgzJgOZWbHk~oZbrVSwHAYT-coU3iFOqa9f6SIR-mn1bv0rIlu4VazXT8fwX2f6EXPUbEZ1sy117HEND8TGMAzYeZi~1rj2S1S3nQIx7nP77waqQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lake Placid Town Council voted to accept the single proposal submitted in response to a request for planning-services proposals and authorized staff to finalize a contract with Stonehenge Land Development Consultants.

The RFP closed with one submission from Stonehenge (led by Dana Riddell), which the town administrator and staff recommended because Stonehenge already provides monthly planning services under the town’s interim arrangement and brings local experience with Highlands County and the Central Florida Regional Planning Council. Staff noted alternative past arrangements: Highlands County previously provided limited planning services under an interlocal agreement and the town briefly used consultant services from another planner (costs cited for a three-month period in 2022).

Council members discussed contractor rates and the amount of work needed for code updates and ongoing planning review. Planner Dana Riddell explained the fixed monthly fee is intended to provide stable, predictable planner availability while acknowledging that complex projects and text amendments may require additional hours; she emphasized that as a contract planner she can provide focused services without the town-wide duties that previously came with a staff position.

Why it matters: planning capacity affects how quickly land-use applications, text amendments and development reviews move through the system. The contract approach allows Lake Placid to obtain expertise while avoiding the cost and benefits obligations of a full-time staff hire.

Next steps: staff will finalize a professional-services agreement consistent with the RFP terms and bring the executed contract back for the record.","The Town Council authorized staff to finalize a contract with Stonehenge Land Development Consultants to provide town-planner services after the company was the only respondent to the RFP.",{"_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},6062072,"Lake Placid planners propose strict rules for food trucks; council gives direction on hours and enforcement",3716,350000,4066000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3280786-4130f66d7e5262e88f1b207a4d42ff3f&start=350&end=4066","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3280786-4130f66d7e5262e88f1b207a4d42ff3f/thumbnail_350000.jpg","/articles/6062072/Lake-Placid/Highlands-County/Florida/Lake-Placid-planners-propose-strict-rules-for-food-trucks-council-gives-direction-on-hours-and-enforcement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6062072-a7e4273a2113bbc37baefe441793271e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145917&Signature=bx2QPMDFwxBLVvBtkKwO0puNtAg99x--jf~wua9TJUFb-XIq73QrHz85MphF8DbiCWr~286seY7WRrEz3i8-gct5jzbqOZbs20yhFcC3y1Eg-HyxAkearlfWpPuD3TSrBvl8eF~Di-YRGXAIGfzJnnkG5OwbpMsxLPW-byOQYcdL1BYwo02qJllypGgCC2C9cudce0jUDXkOaJMRHNkidhPqNg6OELl240-P6I-sW7O2NlfzyvNP9g89NqNUqp3rVB~pdH2oQFLtpNjB2pW93oxdf~qRTjseD1FanMgqshY-1ZoYH6weTv1G7OtLOls~xHA6vX07bLiwSo3PY9VZJA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Central Florida Regional Planning Council presentation and council discussion in May 2025 outlined a proposed town ordinance to allow mobile food dispensing vehicles (food trucks) in Lake Placid under defined conditions and locations while aligning with state preemption rules.

The planning council representative briefed the Lake Placid Town Council on a multi-part draft that adds definitions (mobile food dispensing vehicle, mobile food vendor overlay district), allows vending at permitted special events, in an overlay district created by council resolution, and as accessory or primary uses on commercial or industrial parcels with special approval. The presentation noted that Florida Statute 509.102 preempts local governments from licensing or charging business fees to food trucks but allows regulation of location, hours and site standards.

The proposed text specifies operational rules: no permanent skirting or wheel removal; vendors must locate on stabilized surfaces (concrete, asphalt, gravel); trash, grease and waste must be managed by the vendor; generators trigger larger setbacks (50 feet from residential if a generator is used); trucks must remain movable and not be skirted to look permanent; maximum length is 24 feet; one truck per property except during permitted special events; and trucks on site more than three hours must have employee restroom access within 300 feet. The draft included setbacks of 20 feet from fire lanes, hydrants and fire control devices and recommended limits on the number of trucks per site.

Council members and staff asked detailed questions about how food trucks would interact with local parking rules, downtown right-of-way spaces, farmers markets, insurance verification, amplified sound and enforcement. Town Planner Dana Riddell noted the draft follows state law while preserving the town’s ability to require site plan reviews or conditional approvals. The council discussed whether the draft should permit food trucks on vacant commercial lots and whether the town should require drive aprons or dustless surfaces on unimproved lots.

On hours of operation, the draft originally proposed 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 7 a.m. to 3 a.m. Friday and Saturday. During discussion council members expressed concern about the 3 a.m. weekend end time. The council settled on a direction to staff that, for now, mobile food dispensing vehicles be allowed to operate from 7 a.m. until midnight (12 a.m.) daily, with the understanding the council could revisit weekend hours later.

Council members also requested clearer enforcement language and penalties tied to the town’s code-enforcement process, explicit requirements for grease and waste disposal (with temporary suspension of operations until corrected), stricter noise controls consistent with the town’s noise ordinance, and an implementation plan for a mobile food vendor overlay district (public locations and site-specific rules) that the Central Florida Regional Planning Council offered to help map and draft. The council questioned whether approval to use public right-of-way would be limited to overlay districts and special events; staff confirmed a permit or overlay designation would generally be required for vending in the right-of-way.

Why it matters: food trucks are a low-cost way for entrepreneurs to serve customers and support downtown nightlife, but unregulated operations can create public-safety, parking and nuisance issues. The draft attempts to balance state preemption with local land-use controls to manage impacts to neighboring properties, public infrastructure and emergency access.

Next steps: staff will incorporate council direction on hours, enforcement language, parking/driveway requirements for unimproved lots, and overlay-district mapping and return a revised text amendment for formal hearings.","A Central Florida Regional Planning Council presentation and council discussion in May 2025 outlined a proposed town ordinance to allow mobile food dispensing vehicles (food trucks) in Lake Placid under defined conditions and locations while aligning with state preemption rules.",{"_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},6062063,"Council halts new event bookings at government center; asks staff to rewrite facility fee schedule for meetings-only",2072,5202000,7274000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3280786-4130f66d7e5262e88f1b207a4d42ff3f&start=5202&end=7274","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3280786-4130f66d7e5262e88f1b207a4d42ff3f/thumbnail_5202000.jpg","/articles/6062063/Lake-Placid/Highlands-County/Florida/Council-halts-new-event-bookings-at-government-center-asks-staff-to-rewrite-facility-fee-schedule-for-meetings-only","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6062063-743ad091710dcccb8c0561937cf7c3ca/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145917&Signature=gXO5~PUrXNTXW0y3UpD8stvpzBeEe8neqrQ7wLNYbfDXQd4eniiw6WJO~7NPTCYOWsadnCfEC9lEkia2M1R9fKaiBi41EfF0OHKRDzkJlMwcBVFT6QusxrzldRr85dKQLscU0~5ybXQxQqbv8uAHSK~DxBbcBfrJecaLtx~Gf2C9NgaIb91~wjgov5d0FM6fabn2BBG0cRZzv37wj51F3MDh-VKNpkzfEbkdmKbHC4ZDDzenZsJIaHQNa1va7X-~QE3TFS2ctbpxubaL0vBECZ5Tjv2wnjj2VDhGCs~NI2z329kCikY~nusxgR0AjSZaY3Acq4q5Ilonr3WLPxGGhg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lake Placid Town Council voted in May 2025 to stop taking new event reservations for the government center community and conference rooms while staff rewrites the fee schedule and usage rules.

The action followed a lengthy discussion about the town’s proposed fee booklet (resolution 2025-10) and rules for facility and park rentals. Staff had proposed updated rates and a fee-waiver policy (including a limited charitable-event waiver for one event per year) and sought direction on legacy-event treatment, sanitation costs, and public-safety requirements. The proposal also recommended a formal fee-waiver application process and classifying long-standing signature events as “legacy” (10 years or older) for possible preferential treatment.

Town staff described repeated maintenance burdens, ADA and AV support demands, recurring damage and uneven compliance with cleanup requirements that impose hidden costs on the town. Staff and council members said volunteers and nonprofit groups provide valuable service to Lake Placid but that unrestricted or inconsistent free use of facilities had created wear and tear and staffing burdens. The town administrator said the town’s cleaning and IT support workload for events draws multiple staff members away from other duties.

Council members debated whether to retain separate rates for meetings versus larger events such as weddings and parties. Several council members argued facilities should remain available for government meetings and nonprofit meetings but not for private parties that compete with private venues; others asked for explicit legacy-event criteria and an approach that distinguishes revenue-generating events from civic meetings. After discussion the council voted to accept staff’s recommendation to suspend new event bookings for the government center’s community and conference rooms effective immediately and asked staff to produce a simpler fee schedule for meetings (with cleaned-up rules for deposits, insurance and cleanup) and a separate parks fee schedule for a future meeting.

Why it matters: the decision affects organizations that use town facilities for meetings and events and addresses town staff capacity and budgetary concerns. Changing how the government center is offered could shift some rental business to private venues and will reduce staff’s event workload while the town crafts a detailed fee policy.

Next steps: staff will return next meeting with a revised meeting-focused fee schedule and rules, and a separate park/event fee schedule to address deposits, police and sanitation costs, and legacy-event criteria.","The Lake Placid Town Council voted to stop accepting new event bookings for the government center community and conference rooms and asked staff to return with a meetings-focused fee schedule and clearer rules for park and event rentals.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Town planner urges broad code clean-up; council OKs prioritizing building permits, stormwater and concurrency

Lake Placid council accepts single RFP, moves to contract Stonehenge for planner services

Lake Placid planners propose strict rules for food trucks; council gives direction on hours and enforcement

Council halts new event bookings at government center; asks staff to rewrite facility fee schedule for meetings-only