Highlands County commissioners approve U.S. 27 land‑use and zoning changes, transmit comprehensive plan updates and adopt Fire Prevention Week proclamation

The Highlands County Board of County Commissioners on Sept. 16 approved a series of land‑use and zoning changes affecting about 19.29 acres between U.S. 27 and Twitty Road in Sebring, voted to transmit an EAR‑based package of comprehensive plan updates to Florida Department of Commerce for state review and formally recognized Oct. 5–11, 2025, as National Fire Prevention Week.

The board adopted Ordinance 24‑25‑18 (CPA 25‑641SS), a map amendment to change three parcels from Agricultural (AG) to Commercial (C). Planning and zoning staff told commissioners the Planning & Zoning Commission unanimously recommended approval and that no letters for or against the request were received. The board then adopted a companion rezoning, Resolution 24‑25‑150 (PNC 2168), to assign the parcels Business District with a Planned Development overlay (B‑3 PD) and attached the conditions listed in the adopting resolution.

Planning and Zoning Manager Cindy Kramer told the board the applicant proposes up to three commercial uses on the sites and that the change aligns the future land‑use map with a companion planned‑development zoning request. "This is an applicant‑initiated request to amend the future land‑use map," Kramer said. The board voted to approve the ordinance and the zoning resolution; the clerk recorded affirmative roll calls for the motions.

The board also approved a smaller, separate zoning amendment: Resolution 24‑25‑151 (P&Z 2181) changing a 0.54‑acre parcel near U.S. 27 in Lake Placid from Agricultural to Residential R‑1A for construction of a single‑family dwelling. Planner Rachel Navarette said the Planning & Zoning Commission unanimously recommended approval and no letters were received.

In a separate action, the board voted to transmit a set of EAR‑based comprehensive plan amendments (CPA 25‑645 LS) to Florida Department of Commerce for state coordinated review. Jennifer Coda Salisbury of the Central Florida Regional Planning Council summarized the package as “housekeeping” and statutory updates that extend the plan horizon to 2050, remove outdated language, update statutory references and move detailed, site‑specific material to an appendix or the land‑development code. Salisbury said the package is intended to maintain compliance with state statute and that a fuller update (part 2) will follow.

The board also read and approved a proclamation recognizing National Fire Prevention Week, citing the 2025 theme focused on lithium‑ion battery safety. Highlands County Fire Inspector Jeremiah Perez gave practical safety tips during the presentation, including purchasing batteries from reputable manufacturers and using manufacturer‑recommended chargers. "When buying lithium‑ion batteries, make sure you buy them from a reputable company," Perez said.

Votes at a glance — The board carried the ordinance approving the future‑land‑use change for approximately 19.29 acres and the companion rezoning to B‑3 PD; it also approved the smaller residential rezoning and voted unanimously to transmit the comprehensive plan amendments to the state. The proclamation recognizing Fire Prevention Week was adopted by voice/roll call and carried.

What happens next — The transmitted comprehensive plan amendments will undergo state coordinated review; staff estimated the package could return for formal county adoption around December if there are no objections. The planning staff and applicant will implement the zoning conditions listed in the adopting resolution for the commercial planned development.

Attendance and context — County staff, planning commissioners and multiple members of the public attended. Planning staff emphasized that the changes were applicant‑initiated and recommended by the Planning & Zoning Commission. No letters opposing the major map or zoning changes were reported in the file.