Developers propose 29 single‑family lots at 4260 Youth Care Lane; council asks questions, takes no vote

Developer representatives presented plans April 1 to the Sebring City Council to amend an existing development agreement and build single‑family homes on a 9.31‑acre property at 4260 Youth Care Lane.

Dana Riddell, of Stonehenge Land Development Consultants, said the site currently has a future land‑use designation of medium‑density residential and is zoned R‑2 (one‑ and two‑family dwelling district). Riddell said the existing development agreement allowed duplexes and a higher density; the developers are proposing single‑family homes, larger lots and fewer total units. "We are proposing 10,000 square foot," Riddell said, referring to the proposed lot size, and said the change would reduce density "to 29 units instead of 40 units." She described home plans of roughly 1,300 square feet and said the projected sales price range was "240,000 to 260,000, as low as we can get it right now." Riddell added, "They're ready. The moment we can get our final product approved ... they'll be ready to go ahead and start permitting."

The developers said the property is owned by CTO Real Estate LLC and that the proposal would follow the city's R‑2 minimum standards for height (a maximum of 35 feet). They said homes would be served by central water and a gravity sewer connection and that a preliminary plat and engineering conversations have occurred with county staff. The proposal includes a through‑street connection to Beverly Boulevard to improve connectivity with the Beverly Estates neighborhood, 6‑foot sidewalks on both sides of the street, a 15‑foot right‑of‑way dedication along Youth Care Lane and Type F curb and gutter. Riddell said the developers expect the homeowners association to maintain a stormwater retention area and to inspect stormwater systems at the frequency required by state law; she added the HOA would maintain the retention area and mowing.

Council members asked technical and maintenance questions during the discussion. One member asked whether the curb would have to be curved to meet Highlands County technical standards and noted concerns about sweeping and ongoing street maintenance in the surrounding neighborhood. Council members also requested staff and the developer check how the curb shape would affect stormwater collection. The developers told council that, if the city approves the plan and accepts the street after construction, they would ask the city to assume long‑term maintenance of the new roadway while the HOA would maintain the retention area.

Council members confirmed no formal action was required of the council on the proposal that night. The developers said they expected final product approvals and permitting to take roughly a month‑and‑a‑half to two months if the process goes smoothly and that they could begin permitting and construction within the year.

Votes at a glance - Consent agenda: approved (motion to accept consent agenda made and seconded; recorded votes in the transcript show unanimous "yes" votes by council members recorded as David; Paul Jack; Stuart; Bishop; and one other). Outcome: approved. - Payment of bills: approved (motion made and seconded; transcript records "yes" votes from council members recorded as David; Paul Jack; Stuart; Bishop; and one other). Outcome: approved.

What happens next Developers said they will return seeking an amendment to the existing development agreement and preliminary plat approval if council is supportive. Council did not vote on the development agreement amendment at the April 1 meeting.

(Reporting note: statements and quotations above are taken from council meeting remarks by Dana Riddell and public discussion at the April 1, 2025 Sebring City Council meeting. Technical standards were described in the meeting as the Highlands County technical standards manual; existing zoning was described in the meeting as R‑2.)