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Planning agency recommends 5‑year capital schedule update and adds fiber optics, natural gas to 10‑year plan
Summary
The Local Planning Agency recommended adoption of ordinance 2025‑02 to modify the town's 5‑year capital improvement schedule and also moved to add fiber optics and natural gas as line items to the 10‑year capital financial strategy; both recommendations were forwarded to Town Council by unanimous vote.
The Lake Placid Local Planning Agency recommended Town Council adopt updates to the town’s capital improvement program and placed fiber optics and natural gas on the 10‑year capital financial strategy.
Town planner Dana Riddell explained ordinance 2025‑02 would modify the five‑year capital improvement schedule in the town’s 2030 comprehensive plan to reflect projects budgeted in the previous year and to satisfy Florida statutory requirements for the annual review of the capital improvements schedule. The package adopts, by reference, the Highlands County School District five‑year work plan for review by town council staff before final adoption.
Public commenter Pam (identified in the record) urged the agency to verify school enrollment and county capacity numbers and to press for inclusion of the town’s priorities during the legislative delegation process. Pam noted the school district’s work plan and enrollment projections should be considered when approving capital priorities.
Agency members discussed adding longer‑range infrastructure priorities to the 10‑year capital financial strategy. Several members advocated listing fiber optics and natural gas explicitly in the 10‑year technical support document so the town could begin planning and, where feasible, seek grants or coordinate with utilities and developers. Riddell and board members noted grant competitiveness typically requires an identified end user or construction plans; the board asked staff to request presentations from the town’s utilities staff and the economic development team to provide technical background on feasibility, funding options and timing.
The agency voted unanimously to recommend adoption of ordinance 2025‑02 (the five‑year capital improvement schedule) and to recommend that the 10‑year capital financial strategy be updated to include fiber optics and natural gas as line items (to be pursued in coordination with staff). Roll call votes were recorded as yes for Chris Duncan; Donald Clark; Dustin Woods; Gary Freeman; Alex Ramos. Staff said the school board’s most recent materials will be included before Town Council consideration.
