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Lake Placid CRA presents 2024–25 annual report; board hears options to spend on housing and infrastructure
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Summary
Town staff presented the Community Redevelopment Agency’s 2024–25 annual report, showing no expenditures for affordable housing in that year and summaries of completed projects. Board members pressed staff to define how CRA funds could target affordable‑housing support, septic‑to‑sewer tie‑ins, and façade grants for downtown businesses.
Town staff presented the Town of Lake Placid Community Redevelopment Agency’s 2024–25 annual report and detailed completed projects and planned carryovers for 2025–26.
Eva, who presented the report on behalf of CRA staff, said the report is required by Chapter 163 and will be posted on the town website and advertised by March 31. She summarized district assessed values and the year’s projects, including Stewart Park paver repairs and a Lake Richard sidewalk rehabilitation, and said, “There were no expenditures for affordable housing for low income and middle income residents.”
That statement prompted questions from board members about whether recent sidewalk and streetscape work serves residents with lower incomes and whether the CRA could use funds for façade grants or housing infill. Benicia Fraser of the Central Florida Regional Planning Council told the board the CRA plan permits infrastructure and beautification programs — and can support housing initiatives — but added that housing programs are complicated and usually require outside technical assistance. “Your CRA plan does speak to… increasing access to housing and infill housing,” Fraser said.
Board members described previous smaller programs (five homes repaired through a rebuilding‑together effort) and urged staff to develop concrete program rules so funds earmarked for septic‑to‑sewer, stormwater, or façade work can be used quickly and predictably. Staff said $32,000 labeled for septic‑to‑sewer remains and that the board previously moved $70,000 from a Hillcrest line to stormwater; members asked staff to clarify eligibility and return with a recommended program and application process.
The report also reviewed parks and right‑of‑way projects, including the Doll Hall building rehabilitation and a planned test of higher‑output light bulbs in Stewart Park to assess whether new bulbs (rather than new fixtures) could solve nighttime visibility concerns. Board members discussed bench styles, coordination with the Chamber of Commerce for sponsored benches, and potential matching grants through RPAC or FIRDAP for playground equipment.
After discussion, a motion to accept the CRA 2024–25 annual report passed on recorded roll call.
What’s next: staff will post the full report on the town website and return with more detailed program recommendations on eligible uses for CRA funds (affordable‑housing approaches, façade grant rules, and criteria for septic‑to‑sewer assistance).
