Public hearing on regulations for certified recovery residences in Highlands County.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
 
NOTICE OF ESTABLISHMENT
OF REGULATIONS
PERTAINING TO CERTIFIED
RECOVERY RESIDENCES
IN UNINCORPORATED
HIGHLANDS COUNTY, FLORIDA
 
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that a PUBLIC HEARING will be held before the Highlands County Planning and Zoning Commission/Local Planning Agency on the 12th day of May, 2026, beginning at 3:15 p.m., or as soon thereafter as possible, at the County Commissioners Board Room, Highlands County Government Center Building, 600 South Commerce Avenue, Sebring, Florida, to consider proposed amendments to Highlands County Code of Ordinances, Chapter 12 Land Development Regulations: Article 2, Section 12.02.104  Definitions and Interpretations; Article 5, Division 2  District Regulations, Section 12.05.213  R-3 Multiple-Family Dwelling including Motel and Hotel District and Section 12.05.214  R-3 NC Non-Commercial Multiple-Family Dwelling District; and Article 5, Division 3  Supplementary District Regulations, Section 12.05.319. The proposed amendments create definitions of recovery residence and certified recovery residence, list certified recovery residence as a permitted use in the R-3 and R-3 NC zoning districts, and provide procedures for requesting reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities.
 
Recommendations of the Planning and Zoning Commission/Local Planning Agency will be submitted to the Board of County Commissioners for first reading during a PUBLIC HEARING on the 2nd day of June, 2026, beginning at 9:00 a.m. or as soon thereafter as possible in the County Commissioners Board Room, Highlands County Government Center Building, 600 South Commerce Avenue, Sebring, Florida.
The Highlands County Board of County Commissioners will hold a second PUBLIC
HEARING on the 16th day of June, 2026, in the County Commissioners Board Room, Highlands County Government Center Building, 600 South Commerce Avenue, Sebring, Florida, to consider adoption of the proposed amendments. The time of the adoption hearing will be set at the June 2, 2026 public hearing before the Highlands County Board of County Commissioners.
A copy of this notice is available for public inspection during regular business hours in the Office of the Clerk of the Board of County Commissioners at the Highlands County Government Center, 590 South Commerce Avenue, Sebring, Florida 33870. The proposed Ordinance may be inspected by the public at the Highlands County Planning & Zoning Division, 501 South Commerce Avenue, Sebring, Florida 33870, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. Inquiries or written testimony should be directed to Cynthia Kramer, Planning & Zoning Manager, at this address or by phone at (863) 402-6650.
ALL INTERESTED PERSONS ARE INVITED TO ATTEND.
All interested persons may appear and be heard at the time and place specified above. Any person who might wish to appeal any decision made by this committee/group, in public hearing or meeting is hereby advised that he or she will need a record of the proceedings, and that, for such purpose, he or she may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record will include the testimony and evidence upon which such appeal is to be based.
The Planning and Zoning Commission/Local Planning Agency and The Board of County Commissioners of Highlands County, Florida, do not discriminate upon the basis of any individuals disability status. This non-discriminatory policy involves every aspect of the Boards functions, including ones access to, participation, employment or treatment in its programs or activities. Anyone requiring reasonable accommodation as provided for in the Americans with Disabilities Act or Section 286.26 Florida Statutes should contact Human Resources, ADA Coordinator at: 863-402-6509 (voice), or via Florida relay service 711, or by email: hrmanager@highlandsfl.gov. Requests for cart or interpreter services should be made as soon as possible but no later than 48 hours in advance to
permit coordination of the service.
ONE OR MORE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MAY BE PRESENT AT THE MEETING.
Mrs. Suzanne Hunnicutt, Chairperson of the Planning and Zoning Commission/Local Planning Agency.
Mr. Don Elwell, Chairperson of the Board of County Commissioners.
April 26; May 2, 2026