BCC - Regular Board Meeting - 2nd Tuesday - 2026-02-10

Board directed lobbyist Gray Robinson to oppose Senate Bill 686 and House Bill 691, which would lower the threshold for agricultural enclave designation from 75% to 50% urban boundaries and eliminate local public hearings for such designations. The board voted unanimously to add the emergency item and then unanimously to direct opposition.

First application under the hotel incentive program approved for a $75 million luxury hotel development at Bella Colina in unincorporated Montverde. The 100-room hotel with restaurant, spa, and event space will receive 75% of new ad valorem taxes decreasing over five years, estimated at $824,269 total fiscal impact. Developer is the Shar family who has owned Bella Colina for 14 years.

Approved landscape and irrigation standards for Wellness Way development incorporating the New Yard Pattern Book, Florida-friendly landscaping principles, and revised standards. Final approval set irrigable turf grass at 35% (amended from original 25%). Ordinance requires soil amendments, drought-tolerant plantings, and HOA education programs.

Approved installation of Flock Safety license plate readers in county rights-of-way for three municipalities: Fruitland Park (3 cameras), Mount Dora (4 cameras), and Lady Lake (11 cameras). Cameras are for law enforcement purposes only, not revenue generation, and query against FCIC/NCIC databases for warrants and missing persons.

Approved acquisition workflow process, public land scoring criteria (up to 49 points), and greenways/trails scoring criteria for the $50 million bond referendum program. Board also approved allowing conservation easements as an acquisition tool with the understanding such purchases would be limited.

Approved amendments to land development regulations allowing chicken farms, egg processing facilities, hog farms, mills, riding stables, slaughterhouses, and farmworker housing as permitted uses in agricultural zoning districts to comply with Section 125.01055 Florida Statutes (Live Local Act).

Commissioner Sabatini moved to authorize hiring a second lobbyist (up to $50,000) to supplement Gray Robinson's efforts on the property appraiser budget appeal, seeking to get the matter on the February 24 cabinet meeting agenda. The appeal challenges a 28% budget increase by the property appraiser.