How should Lake Placid handle growth and development—especially along US 27 and downtown—and what would you support or push back on? Would you support a Walmart in Lake Placid?
As far as a potential Walmart – I have heard they are having conversations with Town staff but do not know anything more that – meaning location, willingness to change façade, landscaping, signage etc. – so I cannot say what I think I would or would not be willing to support without that info. More importantly – will need to hear from Town staff and legal about what current Town code allows or does not allow concerning “big box stores” and of course gathering feedback from local residents and businesses – which I expect would be varied.
In general, both potential residential and commercial development should be handled professionally and expediently – following Town code and done correctly and within the general character of the Town.
We should strive to fine tune a development approval/consideration process that gets us to Yes, No or Under Which Conditions more quickly.
The Town needs to have a serious conversation (legal requirements, study & debate) about how much of the capacity of the new sewer plant needs to be reserved for septic to sewer conversion and how much is available after that for new development connections.
The “historic downtown area” needs to be treated differently for new development or more likely redevelopment than more outlying areas.
Personally I would like to see more mixed use development and would hope to trade higher densities and intensities for permanently set aside and maintained green space.
I certainly support working with Highlands County and FDOT to try to get some multi-use pathway actually constructed in LP and surrounding area.
I would push back on any business or business types that are not willing to meet our Town code or want to do things “on the cheap” and out of town character or that would negatively impact our water and sewer infrastructure, etc.
Where should the town be spending more right now, and where—if anywhere—should it pull back?
I like that Mayor Charles is working on a potential reorganization of Town staff and figuring out how to best utilize the talents of existing staff, while determining what new staffing positions (if any) are needed. I also support looking into whether or not there are any current functions of Town staff that should be considered for privatization ( example might be mowing, maintenance activities, etc.).
We should be expanding the water and sewer base of customers to the extent possible in order to spread fixed costs across a larger pool of customers.
We need to have a longer term outlook or plan for solid waste collection fees – so we do not get ourselves into negative numbers in that enterprise fund.
The Town needs to have more interaction with County Commissioners and County staff in order to ensure that the Town and surrounding greater LP area receives our fair share (should be roughly 1/3) of resources and infrastructure investment. Examples – Fire and EMT services, county roadway improvements, fiber optic connections, multi-use pathways, increase economic development consideration, etc.
What should the CRA actually be accomplishing over the next few years, and how do you measure whether it’s working?
The CRA was specifically set up to pay for “common use infrastructure” within the designated area. Meaning we should be doing more sidewalk, paving, lighting, landscaping, playground equipment, etc. improvements within the CRA boundaries. We need a few enhancements in the Stuart park area in order to help bolster businesses on the Interlake Blvd corridor. We should consider a public restroom at Devane Park. A dog park might be appropriate on town property just west of Devane Park. We need to look into the next stages of the N. Main St. study roadway improvement plan that was developed several years back and work with Highlands County and possibly utilizing some CRA funds to bring those improvements to fruition.
The CRA is not allowed under current code to do façade grants or invest in individual properties, and I believe that CRA funds should be utilized for improvements that all of the CRA area and its businesses and residents will receive benefit from.
Regardless of what the projects ultimately are- we need to have a mechanism that makes sure once Council approves them that they are properly managed and brought to completion. The Town is legally obligated to expediently expend those funds – not let them languish in the CRA account.
Is there a specific decision you believe the council will face in the next year that matters to residents—and how would you vote on it?
I perceive that every decision that Council makes has some level of impact on residents – though there are often differing opinions on many issues.
We should strive to hold ad valorem mileage assessment rates steady at worst and hopefully get back to lowering it a bit each year like we use to do – since are we still seeing increased commercial and residential taxable valuations.
Council meetings, and its interactions with the public, need to be more organized and kept on topic with more complete information shared prior to meetings.
The Town needs to get more engaged in the economic development aspect of decision making – seeking out or approving businesses, commerce parks, etc. that will provide higher paying wages – we need more $25+ an hour jobs than just businesses paying minimum wage range salaries.
The Town needs to get more engaged in the economic development aspect of decision making – seeking out or approving businesses, commerce parks, etc. that will provide higher paying wages – we need more $25+ an hour jobs than just businesses paying minimum wage range salaries.
