SEBRING — The county's long-running dispute with the state over development plans in Highlands County should be settled by mid October. At stake is final state approval that would allow: * Development of 4,637 acres; * Construction of 6,438 housing units, broken down into 4,537 single family homes, 192 mobile homes and 1,739 multi-family units; * Commercial projects totaling 5.1 million square feet; and * Industrial/warehouse projects totaling 5.9 million square feet. That is the total potential growth within 42 large-scale amendments to the Highlands County Comprehensive Plan which were approved by county commissioners in 2004, 2005 and 2006 but not yet approved by the Florida Department of Community Affairs. DCA recently sent the county a final settlement offer to approve all of those comp plan amendments. County commissioners will vote on DCA's settlement offer following a public hearing at their Oct. 16 meeting. ...more

September 30, 2007

In issuing a ruling that reverses a 27-year precedent and strips local governments of a key funding source, you'd think the Florida Supreme Court would nail down the details. ...more

September 22, 2007

The first meeting of the new board of directors for the Westchase Community Association spiraled Thursday into personal attacks before ending with one member resigning. ...more

September 19, 2007

Pasco County Utilities customers may soon pay more for water and sewer services as officials update the rates. ...more

September 12, 2007