Part of a proposed mega-development west of Interstate 75 is being resurrected in pieces. ...more

June 7, 2008

Residents and business leaders drafting a blueprint of Brandon's future agree that a hub of activity, where people can live, work and shop within walking distance, should be in central Brandon instead of encroaching on areas not heavily developed. ...more

June 4, 2008

SEBRING — A Lake Placid veterinarian's push for a new ballot initiative, which would create a new property tax to build a land acquisition fund, may reach the county commissioners next month. Dr. Elton Gissindanner and his supporters convinced the Natural Resources Advisory Commission Wednesday to draft a bill that would create a tax of 0.2 mils, or $10 for a property valued at $100,000 after the $50,000 homestead exemptions are considered. If the county commissioners approve it, it could appear on the ballot in November. Gissindanner said that 29 Florida counties had a conservation fund of some sort. Polk County's program bought more than 12,000 acres so far. ...more

May 29, 2008

Residents of Seffner and Mango who are mapping out a long-term development plan for their community learned some details last week about how the county and state choose road projects, fund them and prioritize them. ...more

May 21, 2008

The Lamb House, a three-story mansion transplanted from a perch overlooking the Manatee River to a waterfront spot on the Little Manatee River, has received a 10-year property tax exemption after a public hearing last month in Tampa. ...more

May 21, 2008

It wasn't the Miss America Pageant April 26, but for 50 South Shore girls, it might as well have been. Donning gowns and sporting their finest 'dos, the contestants in the 2008 Ruskin Tomato Queen Pageant vied for crowns in six divisions: Little Angel, Little Darlin', Little Princess, Sweetheart, Starlet and Queen. Hosted by the Ruskin Junior Woman's Club, the event drew more than 300 people to the Ruskin Elks Club to support their favorites. ...more

May 2, 2008

As far as county planners are concerned, there is no doubt Valrico will have a community plan, a guideline for development and growth. ...more

February 13, 2008

Some people's visions are a bit more detailed than others. When it came to drafting a vision statement for the Brandon Community Plan, some members of the plan's steering committee wanted a terse document. ...more

December 22, 2007

Developers want to transform a 16-acre wooded parcel at State Road 60 and Dover Road into a shopping center with a grocery store. ...more

December 15, 2007

Anyone who lives in Highlands County will not dispute that U.S. 27 is the main artery through which the county's traffic flows. Traffic goes faster through undeveloped stretches in the north and south parts of the county and slows down as we approach the commercial and office areas. Now, add a school or two along U.S. 27, another mall and a big housing project. Think of the ramifications. Is that what you, as a county resident, want? Will the resultant traffic be unpalatable for you or do you think that more is better? Should new housing be built along U.S. 27 or should it be restricted to commercial? Do schools belong along the county's main road? What about a park or two? These are important questions whose answers will help county planners determine what they think are the best options for undeveloped land along U.S 27. ...more

December 10, 2007