Ellie’s Notes – January 22, 2026

Happy New Year folks! Welcome to 2026!

Aren’t we just the luckiest people in the world to live where we live and enjoy the community, friends, weather and lifestyle we have? We definitely did something right! Hallelujah!

Now, let’s be good stewards and build on that foundation.

I’d like to share on a personal basis for a minute. My efforts for our community organizing, leading and personally doing the lion’s share of the work of Save Sun City Center to protect our golf courses has come at great personal detriment to my life, health, welfare and finances.

It is better than a full-time job, but I am not getting any younger. However, it is taking a toll on me, and recently I had another six-day admission to St Joseph’s South with a life-threatening infection and blood clot. I must take better care of myself and smell some roses.

To that end, I need your help. My most urgent need is to reconstitute our SaveSCC Board and leadership. We need more strong, committed and talented leadership to more effectively meet the challenges ahead and share the load. We are seeking a few good folks, men and women, who have the heart and passion for this important work.

Working on our Board is interesting, challenging and vital to the future of our community. Are you the person for the job? If so, we really need you! Your community needs you! Please reach out to me – Ellie Anderson at andersonellie@mac.com or 312-282-7337 and let’s see how you can best contribute.

Please mark your calendars for Fun Fest 2026 – Saturday, March 14, 2026, from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. It is a great opportunity to meet us and get involved. SaveSCC will have a table and a number of us will be there. We really hope to see you there at the main SCC campus on North Pebble Beach Blvd. It is always a great event and opportunity to share with one another. We will provide our location and table details as they are available.

The following is a comprehensive summary of the communities facing the same issues of golf course development, and state legislative bills that have been passed, being reviewed or being created that can have an effect on our battles to keep our green space. Yes, it’s long, but it will give you great background – and HOPE – for our future efforts.

The Walden Lakes Golf Course Saga – the Latest Update

The Walden Lakes Golf course development saga is a multi-decade legal and community battle rooted in the course’s financial insolvency and subsequent closure, with homeowners consistently and constantly fighting residential development to preserve green space. The dispute revolves around zoning laws and a developer’s attempt to use state housing legislation to bypass local opposition and restrictions.

History and Closure

The original Walden Lake development, which began in the 1970s, was designed with two privately-owned golf courses spanning hundreds of acres amidst approximately 2,200 homes. The courses were built in phases, with all 36 holes completed by the early 1990s.

The club’s financial troubles started long before its eventual closure. Visions Golf, which purchased the club in 2006, consistently reported financial losses, largely due to declining memberships. A proposal for homeowners to pay a small monthly fee to support the club was rejected by many residents, citing a lack of personal use or the community’s bylaws.

The course eventually closed on August 2016, initially due to a workers’ compensation issue, and never reopened. The clubhouse and other amenities fell into disrepair, leading to city code enforcementviolations for overgrown grass, debris, and safety hazards.

Development Saga and Homeowner Struggle

The core of the conflict is the tension between the property owner’s right to develop their land and the homeowners’ desire to maintain their quality of life and property values, which were predicated on the presence of green space. This has resulted in a long-standing legal struggle.

Initial Rezoning Attempts: In the mid-2010s, Visions Golf and subsequent owners proposed rezoning the land for residential development to recoup their investments. These attempts were met with strong opposition from the Walden Lake Community Association (WLCA) and individual residents, who formed groups to fight the plans.

Legal Battles: The community’s legal arguments focus on existing Planned Unit Development (PUD) agreements with the City of Plant City and a 1985 Master Settlement Agreement that residents argue limit the total number of housing units and dictate land use. At least two prior lawsuits were initiated in 2008 and 2015.

Live Local Act Controversy: In September 2023, the current owner, Walden Lake LLC, proposed a large new development of nearly 2,000 units (both multifamily and townhomes). The developer attempted to use Florida’s controversial “Live Local Act” to bypass local zoning rules, arguing the land’s commercial designation allowed them to fast-track affordable housing development.

Recent Court Ruling: In a major victory for the homeowners and the city, a court ruling in early January 2026 rejected the developer’s attempt to use the Live Local Act to override established local planning protections, affirming that the PUD is a binding contract.

Current Status

As of January 2026, the city has won its case against the developer’s attempt to bypass zoning rules. However, the developer is invested heavily and is expected to continue the fight. The legal situation remains fluid, with ongoing efforts from the community to ensure a final resolution that preserves the area’s character and open space, encouraging residents to stay involved and attend court hearings.

In addition, although the court rejected the developer’s attempt to use the Live Local Act to bypass local zoning rules for a high-density development on the former golf course site, the case is ongoing, and the developer may appeal the decision.

Case Details

Parties Involved: The primary lawsuit is between the developer, Walden Lake, LLC, and the City of Plant City (Circuit Court Case No. 23-CA-16857). The Walden Lake Community Association (WLCA) and “Save Walden Lake” group have been granted the right to intervene and represent homeowner interests.

Core Dispute: The developer proposed a project including 470 townhomes and 1,530 apartments, arguing that the Live Local Act allowed for administrative approval on the former golf course land, which they characterized as “commercial.” The City rejected the application, maintaining the land was not zoned for such high-density use, and the recent court ruling affirmed the city’s position that a Planned Unit Development (PUD) is a binding agreement that cannot be easily overridden.

Key Insights

·      The recent ruling is considered a significant victory for the city and homeowners, as it affirms local planning protections and the validity of PUD agreements.

·      The developer has heavily invested in the project and is expected to continue their legal efforts, so the fight is not over.

·      In the meantime, the property continues to face code enforcement issues, with the City requiring the developer to maintain the area. Homeowners are advised not to trespass on the private property.

·      The January 2026 ruling in the Walden Lake case establishes a critical legal boundary for Florida’s Live Local Act (SB 102). By finding in favor of the City of Plant City, the court has signaled that the Act is not a “blank check” for developers to override all local land-use agreements.

Potential Impacts on Florida Developments

Protection of PUD Agreements: The ruling affirms that a Planned Unit Development (PUD) is a binding contract. Developers may no longer be able to use the Live Local Act to unilaterally discard negotiated density limits and land-use rules established in these master-planned agreements.

Stricter Definition of “Commercial” Land: The court rejected the developer’s attempt to re-characterize recreational green space (the golf course) as “commercial” land simply because it was a for-profit entity. This prevents developers from using recreational or open spaces as “loopholes” to trigger the Act’s high-density administrative approvals.

Restoration of Local Oversight: The decision reinforces that projects must still move through standard municipal processes (local home rule and zoning decisions)—including zoning reviews and public hearings—if they do not strictly meet the Act’s location criteria. It effectively closes the “administrative pathway” for projects trying to force high-density builds into established residential neighborhoods via legal shortcuts.

Precedent for Other Municipalities: This case provides a legal road map for other Florida cities, such as Hollywood and Bal Harbour, which are also challenging the Act on “home rule” and due process grounds. It may encourage more local governments to use existing PUD contracts or specific land-use designations to resist unwanted high-density developments.

Increased Litigation and Policy Reform: Although the ruling is a win for local control, it is expected to trigger further appeals and may prompt the Florida Legislature to further amend the Act to clarify definitions of “commercial” or “mixed-use” land to avoid similar disputes in the future.

The legislative environment in Florida regarding golf course redevelopment is currently a high-stakes tug-of-war between state-level “pre-emption” laws, which aim to fast-track development, and local “home rule” protections.

The “quicksand” status I warn of stems from a series of 2025 laws that significantly shifted the rules for when and how developers can bypass local oversight.

SB 180: The “Home Rule Freeze”

Signed in June 2025, SB 180 is the primary source of the recent “shifting rules.” While presented as a hurricane recovery measure, its effects are sweeping and statewide.

Zoning Lock: It prohibits local governments from adopting any development rules that are “more restrictive or burdensome” than those in place as of July 31, 2024.

Impact on Golf Courses: If a city tries to pass new protections specifically to save a golf course (like stricter open-space requirements), the developer can challenge the rule as “more restrictive” under SB 180. This has thwarted options we as SaveSCC were hoping to pursue.

Legal “Quicksand”: Because the term “more restrictive” is not clearly defined, it has invited a wave of lawsuits, with dozens of cities and counties now suing the state to overturn the law.

Live Local Act (2025 Amendments)

The original Live Local Act allowed developers to bypass local zoning if they included affordable housing on commercial or industrial land. Recent 2025 updates (SB 1730) have clarified these boundaries, as follows:

Golf Course Protection: Crucially, the 2025 update explicitly states that recreational uses, such as golf courses, within residential areas are not considered “mixed-use” for the purposes of the Act. This prevents developers from claiming a golf course is “commercial” land to trigger administrative (non-public) approval. This is the result of our non-partisan SaveSCC grassroots campaign advocating for protections with lawmakers during the final hours of the legislative session last spring. Our collective voice was heard and the bill amended at the 11^th hour to protect recreation spaces under the live Local Act.

PUD Vulnerability: However, the amendments also expanded the Act to cover portions of Planned Unit Developments (PUDs) if they are permitted for commercial or mixed-use, creating a potential opening for developers if a golf course was originally part of a mixed-use PUD.

Bypassing Local Hearings: House Bill 299 being considered during this legislative session would allow massive developments (10,000+ acres) to bypass all local development rules and public hearings if they meet certain state criteria, such as setting aside 60% for conservation.

Summary Table of Impacts

Law	Primary Impact on Development	Current Status
SB 180	Blocks cities from making development rules “more restrictive.”	Active (under multiple lawsuits)
Live Local (2025)	Denies “mixed-use” status to golf courses in residential zones.	Active (favoring homeowners)
SB 80	Bans golf courses in state parks.	Active (protects state land only)
HB 299	Could allow massive projects to bypass all local hearings.	Pending (under 2026 consideration)

Residents can track these fast-moving changes through advocacy groups like 1000 Friends of Florida or by monitoring Florida Senate Bill Summaries.

In Hillsborough County, officials are actively moving to reclaim local control through both direct litigation and defensive zoning changes. The county’s approach is a primary example of the “home rule” resistance against state preemption.

Direct Legal Challenge to Live Local

On December 17, 2025, the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously to challenge the constitutionality of Florida’s Live Local Act.

The Argument: Commissioners argue the law strips them of the ability to regulate growth responsibly and forces them into making decisions “with a gun against [their] temple” regarding high-density projects on commercial or industrial lands.

Scale of Impact: As of late 2025, nearly 3,100 units have been applied for in Hillsborough under this Act, many of which bypass traditional public hearings.

Strategic Rezoning for PUD Districts

In September 2024, the commission took a defensive step by amending the County’s Land Development Code to specifically remove Live Local eligibility from many Planned Development (PD) districts.

This move was intended to prevent developers from using the Act’s “commercial” loophole to build high-density housing on open lands, such as hay fields or former recreation areas, that were part of a master-planned community.

Impact of SB 180 (The “Freeze” Law)

Despite their efforts, Hillsborough County has felt the “quicksand” of SB 180 (the law preventing “more restrictive” development rules).

Halted Protections: In August 2025, commissioners were forced to reject a proposed ordinance that would have restricted the construction of loud sports courts (like pickleball) near homes because the county attorney warned it would be a “clear violation” of SB 180’s ban on new restrictive rules.

Monitoring Litigation: Hillsborough is currently researching and monitoring the consolidated statewide lawsuit filed by a coalition of Florida local governments to overturn SB 180 on the grounds that it violates the constitutional right to home rule.

Golf Course Victories

Outside of state preemption laws, Hillsborough has successfully used traditional land-use laws to protect golf courses.

Pebble Creek: In July 2025, an appellate court upheld the county’s decision to deny rezoning for the Pebble Creek Golf Course, preventing a developer from building 250 single-family homes. The court found the county was within its rights to maintain the area’s existing character.

Hillsborough County Action	Target Law / Issue	Current Status
Constitutional Lawsuit	Live Local Act	Active; filed Dec 2025
Zoning Amendment	PD/PUD Protections	Adopted Sept 2024
SB 180 Compliance	New Noise/Building Rules	Paused due to legal risk
Pebble Creek Appeal	Golf Course Rezoning	Won; development blocked

And most recently we also have the recent win at Walden Lakes with the Plant City Planning Commission denying approval of redevelopment.

Legislation Impacting Developers and Communities

SB 544 & HB 495 (Golf Course Management Certification): These companion bills create the “Golf Course Best Management Practices Certification Act” and transfer the program from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (DACS). Although this is not a direct development bill, it changes the regulatory framework for existing golf course operations, which indirectly impacts the operational costs and compliance burden for any golf course owner, including a developer considering a course’s future.

HB 927 (Local Land Planning and Development): This bill aims to expedite the permit process for residential subdivisions and Planned Unit Developments (PUDs). It requires local governments to create a program to expedite the process and authorizes applicants to use private providers for necessary approvals. This is a significant advantage for developers, potentially allowing them to bypass local government slowdowns and accelerate the redevelopment of former golf course land that is already zoned for development.

Proposed Amendments to the Live Local Act: Following a court ruling that the Live Local Act cannot override existing PUD contracts, new discussions and potential legislative changes are expected to clarify or potentially “bolster” the Act’s provisions to prevent communities from using roadblocks to delay or reject developments. This area of legislation is highly contentious and will be a key battleground between pro-development forces and communities seeking to preserve local zoning control.

Bills Restoring Local Control (Details Pending): In response to previous legislation (like 2025’s SB 180) that limited home rule, new bills are expected to be filed in the 2026 session to partially restore local officials’ ability to create rules and limits on development. These could give communities a stronger legal footing to oppose high-density residential development on former golf courses if they can establish valid environmental protections or development boundaries.

Recent & Standing Legislation (Signed into Law in 2025)

“State Park Preservation Act” (SB 80 / HB 209): Signed into law by Gov. DeSantis in May 2025, this legislation explicitly prohibits the construction of golf courses, large lodges, and similar resort-style amenities within Florida’s state parks. This law responds to public backlash against a previous initiative and removes public land as an option for golf course development.

SB 1080 (Permitting Process Streamlining): Effective October 1, 2025, this law significantly changes the local government permitting process, creating strict deadlines for application review and imposing refunds if deadlines are missed. This benefits developers by providing greater predictability and discouraging local governments from indefinitely delaying projects.

So what is the moral of the story?  We all must remain engaged and vigilant in this community effort to protect our golf courses from development by ClubLink. They will not relent, they will not give up, they have time and money for the fight, they are well motivated, and they are waiting for the opportune circumstances to proceed.

We must be ready and that can only happen with your help, and investment of our collective time, money and collective power as engaged stewards of our legacy and future.

Several bills on the Florida legislative horizon for the 2026 session are poised to impact developers and communities involved in golf course redevelopment, primarily by focusing on local control, permitting processes, and a specific certification program for golf courses.

Here is to the very best in 2026! I wish us all good health. Let’s enjoy our wonderful lives and community to the fullest. We are truly blessed to be here! I think it is going to be a very interesting and challenging year. Let’s get prepared for what is to come!

Best regards always,

Ellie Anderson

andersonellie@mac.com

President- SaveSCC

312-282-7337