Ellie’s Note’s – May 4, 2025

It has been a very busy, productive and successful week as related to our efforts to change the courses of Florida Legislative bills SB 1730 and HB 943 that clarify the Live Local Act.

The Live Local Act provides significant benefits and incentives for developers.  The Live Local Act, formally known as Senate Bill 102, is a Florida law that aims to increase affordable housing opportunities, particularly for the state’s workforce. It achieves this by offering incentives, land use changes, and tax exemptions to developers building affordable multifamily and mixed-use rental housing. The act became effective on July 1, 2023, and has been amended by Senate Bill 328, which became effective on May 16, 2024.

Here’s a more detailed breakdown:

Key Features of the Live Local Act:

Preemptive Local Zoning

The act allows for administrative approval of certain affordable housing projects, preempting local zoning and land use regulations for density, height, and allowable uses.

Affordability Requirements

At least 40% of residential units in eligible projects must be affordable to income-eligible households for a period of at least 30 years.

Land Use Flexibility

The act encourages multifamily and mixed-use rental developments in commercial, industrial, or mixed-use areas.

Financial Incentives

The Live Local Act provides various financial incentives, including tax credits and exemptions, to encourage the development of affordable housing.

SAIL Funding

It includes funding through the State Apartment Incentive Loan (SAIL) program to support affordable housing projects.

Donation Program

A new tax donation program allows businesses to donate to the Florida Housing Finance Corporation (FHFC) in exchange for tax credits.

Statewide Strategy

The Live Local Act represents a comprehensive, statewide effort to address the state’s affordable housing needs.

Who is Eligible for the Live Local Act?

• Developers of multifamily and mixed-use rental developments.
• Projects that meet the affordability requirements and other criteria outlined in the act.

How does the Live Local Act impact local governments?

• Local governments are required to allow multifamily and mixed-use residential developments in certain areas if they meet the Live Local Act criteria.
• They cannot restrict the density or height of eligible projects below the highest currently allowed density or height for commercial or residential development within their jurisdiction.
• Local governments are required to maintain information about the Live Local Act on their websites.

Important Considerations:

• The Live Local Act is a complex piece of legislation with various provisions and requirements.
• Local governments may have specific regulations or procedures for implementing the Live Local Act.
• Developers should consult with local government officials and legal counsel to ensure compliance with all applicable rules and regulations.

SaveSCC has been very busy with a Call to Action to Amend SB 1730 and HB 943 because as they were drafted, they would have allowed development for affordable rental housing in planned developments on golf courses and recreation spaces in communities including ours.

I am very pleased to share that our combined efforts were successful and at the last hour of the legislative session, SB 1730 was amended to exclude recreational uses. Special thanks in this endeavor go to our SaveSCC leadership team, Adam Gormly for his comments at the SaveSCC Informational meeting on 4/16, Ron Clark and CA’s effort via the Email Public Service Announcement and their letter to legislature, and our Republican and Democrat groups and organizers  and all of you called and wrote. This coalition was successful moving members of the Florida Senate and House to amend SB 1730 such that it “Clarifies that recreational uses, such as golf courses, tennis courts, swimming pools, and

clubhouses, are not considered commercial, industrial, or mixed-use for purposes of the Act

and removes a related provision for development on recreational land.”

This is a significant accomplishment that was only possible due to the swift and overwhelming action by members and organizations in our community. We turned the tide!  We did it with the help of our legislators.

Special thanks goes to Adam Gormly who attended our Save Sun City Center Informational Meeting on April 16^th and we really appreciated his brief comments. They were the reinforcing factor that helped galvanize our efforts. We had over 600 folks attend our two information sessions. 

Since the meeting  on April 16^th we have engaged in an active grassroots campaign in our community to motivate residents and local organizations to reach out to the senate and house members to have Bills SB 1730 and HB 943 amended to exclude development of recreational space including golf courses, etc.  This effort included members of SaveSCC in the Call to Action, the Sun City Center Community Association Public Service Announcement and letters to the legislative leaders by Ron Clark, CA Board President, and the Democratic and Republican organizations asking their constituents to support this non-partisan effort.  We did our part. Thank you to all who called, wrote, and lobbied their friends to do so. It worked!

And a very special thanks goes to Senator Boyd (Senate Majority Leader), Senator Calatayud (bill sponsor), and Senator Jones (bill amender). Literally at the last moment, they worked to amend the bill a second time to address our specific concerns to protect recreation spaces including our golf courses from development  under the Live Local Act.

We are very pleased and thankful that the final version, 2^nd Engrossed, of SB 1730 that has been forwarded to the Governor and Secretary of State includes the language “ Recreational uses, such as golf courses, tennis courts, swimming pools and clubhouses, within an area designated for residential use are not “commercial, industrial or mixed use,” irrespective of how they are used”.  We could not ask for more than this.  This bill when hopefully enacted into law and effective on July 1, 2025 will be state wide and will help many other communities beyond ours. The companion bill HB 943 has been tabled. 

This action only precludes development of the courses under the Live Local Act. ClubLink can and will still pursue residential housing development by submitting a development application to the Count. ClubLink’s development application would trigger a major modification of existing planned development and general site plan.  This would require public noticing, a Land Use Hearing, and a BOCC Land Use Hearing.  Our SaveSCC response with a ground swell of coordinated activity  public awareness and support, and competent and substantial evidence and expert testimony that any development would not be consistent with the Hillsborough County Development Code (LDC) or our Greater Sun City Center Community Plan and therefore should be denied will happen with your help. We need volunteers, human capital, and money to pursue the course. HELP!

As those of you who know me well know, I think outside the box and have two very special initiatives that I am concentrating on that would be preemptive actions that might stop ClubLink in their tracks. Both require legal support and specialized knowledge that I’d first like to find amongst us here as residents before we are paying professionals. I really need anyone out there with knowledge about restrictive covenants to raise their hand and work directly with me.  If you have the expertise, your community needs you now.  Maybe you know someone?

Again, many thanks to all who contributed to our win on SB 1730. 

That’s it for now!

Ellie Anderson

312-282-7337

Ellie’s Notes  April 27, 2025

It has been a very busy and productive couple of weeks here in Sun City Center, and we’ve seen progress on a number of fronts.

Please be sure to forward these communiques to your friends and associates to get the word out.  Hopefully, everyone not receiving our communications will go to our website and sign up to receive our communications directly.

Recent SaveSCC Informational Sessions

I consider both of our recent Save Sun City Center (SaveSCC) Informational Sessions — March 26^th at the Rollins Theater, and April 16^th at the Community Hall — good successes. Between the two meetings, we had attendance of well over 600 folks, who were educated and informed about the many issues we face, as well as our plans to protect the green spaces and golf courses. We had some volunteers step up for our work groups, received donations and provided tee shirts, window clings, signs and banners to promote our cause.  

We were especially grateful for the attendance of Adam Gormly, Department Director – Development Services, who briefly spoke about the pending bills that would allow development under the Live Local Act in Planned Developments like ours. We also appreciated Ron Clark’s attendance and brief words as well.

Thank you all for your support to all who attended the session.  This is a community effort that can only be accomplished by our SaveSCC army working together.

Call to Action for Work Group Volunteers

A critical measure of our success in inspiring you is to get you working with us. There are a multitude of areas where human capital is required.

Click here for the Volunteer Form, outlining some of the areas where help is needed, so you can reply indicating your areas of interest or expertise. Then, we can get you involved in the right area. Please review the opportunities and tell us where you’d like to work with us.

We have a comprehensive game plan, but we need help to execute the work necessary and need committed folks. Please review and return the form to me at getinvolved@savescc.org or snail mail it to me at 1357 Emerald Dunes Dr, Sun City Center, FL 33573 so we can harness your gifts most effectively to protect our community, lifestyle, golf courses and green spaces.

We will be bringing all the volunteers together on May 28^th at 1:30 in the Community Hall for a kickoff volunteer / work group meeting to discuss the opportunities and to construct and add to the existing and new teams. This meeting will be for volunteers only and not on Zoom.  We really need you if we are to prevail. If you can’t attend the meeting we can still loop you in when the teams are formed.

Call to Action Regarding SB 1730  and HB 943

Both of these bills would explicitly designate existing Planned Developments or Planned Unit Development as applicable land uses or zoning for development of affordable rental housing under the Live Local Act.  

Both can easily be tracked by bill number via the web:

SB 1730 –  https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/1730

Approved in Senate  36 to 0 on 4/16/2025. Now in the House of Representatives.

HB 943 –  https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/943

Still in the House of Representatives.

I know a number of you have already written to our legislators – Representative Mike Owen (michael.owen@flhouse.gov) and Senator Jim Boyd (boyd.jim.web@flsenate.gov). Thank you!  

After further reflection and discussion with our political advisors, I suggest that you send your email to all our legislators. Below this paragraph, you will find the links to the excel spreadsheets with their email addresses, which you can cut and paste into the BCC field in your email message to email them all – senators and representatives and put yourself in the TO field. 

List of Senators

List of Representatives

You might also want to send a copy to our county commissioners at https://hcflgov.formstack.com/forms/contact_commissioner?field152422872=1%0A2%0A3%0A4%0A5%0A6%0A7 to let them know we are out here watching, advocating and voting.

If you need a draft to stimulate your thinking, here are three options for your consideration from SaveSCC members:

Option A

I urge you to please amend bills SB 1730 and HB 943 so they WILL NOT APPLY to Planned Developments, especially in 55+ communities, including Sun City Center.

Option B

I am writing to request that you amend FL Senate Bill 1730 and House Bill 943 to include language stating that the Live Local Act Law will not apply to Planned Developments or Planned Unit Developments. Specifically, I encourage you to state that Planned Development, especially in 55+ communities, are exempt from development on previously approved and built planned developments in areas designated and built as green spaces, conservation areas, recreation areas, and/or golf courses for the purpose of future building.

Sun City Center is a Planned Development zoned community. Green spaces and golf courses are the heart and soul of our community. Building on golf courses and green spaces would destroy the character of our community and neighborhoods, increase traffic, noise and, most importantly, harm humans and negatively impact their welfare, safety, health and financial well-being. It would also increase flooding, wipe out the remaining wildlife habitat, and basically destroy all that makes Sun City Center a magical place to live.

Thank you for listening to the people you represent. Please vote to preserve and protect the green spaces desperately needed and designed into our beautiful community.  Further development would be sheer madness.

Option C

I am writing concerning bills SB 1730 and HB 943 seeking to clarify what land uses are applicable for development under the Live Local Act. Please do not allow PDs and PUDs to be included in the land designations applicable for development.

Planned Development or Planned Unit Developments like ours in Sun City Center allow more community-focused designs, incorporating residential housing, golf courses and recreating areas in harmonious and unique designs that maximize the community design and attractiveness. Sun City Center remains unique among all senior living communities in Florida, as the community was designed to be all-inclusive with residential, recreational, and commercial areas for shopping and services, places of worship, a post office and medical services. These were the intentions when our community was built from the onset in 1961 as one of Del Webb’s original, totally contained towns for active senior living.

Planned developments with their unique and thoughtful designs should not be promoted as the next target for infill development by developers and local officials as solutions are sought for affordable rental housing. Owners in the communities bought the community concept with its higher prices, mandatory dues and premiums, because they were buying not only a home, but a lifestyle and community that should not be thrown asunder.

Please, I urge you and your colleagues to eliminate Planned Development or at least those that are 55+ as a protected and vulnerable group from consideration for development under Live Local or any other sweeping legislation targeting our communities. There are still many areas available for development that would not destroy existing communities. Target underdeveloped areas, not established communities that were well planned and loved by their owner-occupiers.

Thank you for your consideration and support to protect your constituents in these times where corporate greed and politics trump citizen’s investment and commitment to their communities.

The current legislative session ends this week so please do not delay. Make your voice count!

Legislative Process for a New Bill to be Signed into Law

In Florida, for a bill to be sent to the governor for signature into law, it must be passed by both the House of Representatives and the Senate. For those of you who would appreciate an overview, here is the process:

Introduction: A bill can be introduced in either the Florida House of Representatives or the Senate. It is then assigned to one or more committees for review.

Committee Review and Debate: The bill is discussed, and revisions may be made in committee meetings. If the committee approves the bill, it is sent back to the floor of the respective chamber.

Chamber Vote: The full chamber (either the House or the Senate) debates the bill and may make further amendments. If a majority of the members vote in favor, the bill passes that chamber.

Second Chamber: The bill is then sent to the other chamber (House if it started in the Senate, or Senate if it started in the House) where it goes through a similar process: committee review, debate, and a chamber vote.

Reconciliation: If the second chamber makes amendments, the bill returns to the originating chamber for agreement. If both chambers cannot agree on the final form of the bill, a conference committee may be established to reconcile differences.

Final Approval: Once both chambers agree on the final text, the bill is sent to the governor.

Governor’s Action: The governor can sign the bill into law, allow it to become law without a signature, or veto it. If vetoed, the legislature can override the veto with a two-thirds majority vote in both chambers.

This process ensures that both legislative bodies have input and agreement on proposed laws before they are enacted.

Side Note

I see everything about protecting our golf courses as a non-partisan issue. We need the support of all of our community members and organizations to pursue the protection of our community and others from misguided, unchecked growth and improper development without sufficient infrastructure negating community designs and adopted community plans. To that end, we are working to establish further liaisons with our local Democratic and Republican Clubs to ask them to enlist folks on a statewide basis to energize and resist any legislative bill that advocates development in existing Planned Developments. We also seek to leverage their help in our local fight as ClubLink proceeds with definitive action.

I’d also like to thank Ron Clark and the CA board for their recent Public Service Announcement concerning SB 1730 and HB 943. Thank you!

TWC Enterprises Limited 2024 Annual Report – ClubLink

https://www.twcenterprises.ca/TWC/Assets/Documents/Annual_Quarterly_Reports/TWC%202024%20Annual%20Report.pdf

Here are a few Florida and Sun City Center relevant highlights from ClubLink’s 2024 Annual Report:

 

We need your help to stop them in their tracks!

We need you to:

• Read our communications and share them with others.
• Engage your friends in the discussion and effort.
• Wear your SaveSCC tee shirt around town and in meetings, clubs and activities in our community.
• Do volunteer work for SaveSCC.
• Donate $’s.
• Donate your time.
• Send emails to our legislators and county commissioners.

Please do your part. I and others are working our butts off and need your help!  We can’t do it alone. Thanks!

Ellie Anderson

312-282-7337

andersonellie@mac.com

getinvolved@savescc.org

Call for Action

Attend County Meeting Monday, 4/21/25 at Sun City Center North Campus Atrium and to Establish Transportation Working Group under SaveSCC community group Leadership

We, who are willing to participate in a transportation working group for SaveSCC and the Greater Sun City Center Community, need to attend the following meeting – Hillsborough County  Public Engagement Opportunity – Cypress Village Boulevard Safety Improvements, Monday, April 21st, 4 pm , Sun City Center North Campus, Atrium Building

This would be an excellent opportunity to recruit fellow interested citizens to engage in a transportation work group.  This is also the opportunity  to meet some of the county representatives involved in the transportation to make connections and build bridges with the County to pursue further action to improve transportation services and infrastructure in our community.

A critical area impacting our Sun City Center Community way of life, welfare and safety is transportation. Under that umbrella I see several matters of the utmost concern:

• • Traffic issues on 674 and the number of serious accidents and fatalities including golf carts, bicycles, and other modes of transportation
  • Keeping Sun City Center a golf cart community with SAFE crossings at 674 and 301
  • Methods of traffic calming and diversion to make 674 safer and usage intensive.
  • Investigating Level of Service (LOS) reports on 301 and 674 and determine whether established level of Service standards and upcoming capital improvements to  correct deficiencies.
  • Pursuit of overhead flyover bridge for safe crossing of 674.

We ( SaveSCC and the Greater Sun City Center community) need volunteers to take on this challenge and get involved and pursue actions that could improve the situation for us all.  We need you now!

Please raise your hand and engage with me to build a team to address this critical infrastructure essential to us all. It is also a key element of our case against further significant development on golf and the surrounding communities under infrastructure issues. Email me at GetInvolved@SaveSCC.org and I’ll add you to our working group list and hope to meet you before the meeting. If you have a SaveSCC tee shirt, please wear it and seek me out.

This is too good an opportunity to pass up! Join me and let’s make something happen!  Let’s get doing, not talking or complaining! Take Action!

Thanks and I hope to hear from you and see you Monday!

Ellie Anderson

312-282-7337

Urgent Call to Action 

We Need Everyone To Immediately Contact Your Florida House and Senate Representatives Concerning Pending Changes To “Live Local Act” That Would Affect…..

                   Golf Properties In Sun City Center 

There are two bills currently working their way through the Florida House and Senate that explicitly would allow the development of affordable, rental housing on Planned Development (PD) zoned land, including in Sun City Center. These bills were drafted to address concerns raised by local governments and stakeholders during the initial implementation of the “Live Local Act.”

As some of you may be aware, ClubLink filed a Notice of Intent (NOI) with Hillsborough County for potential development projects under the Live Local Act on Sandpiper, the North Lakes and Caloosa Greens golf courses in February of 2024.

Under the current Live Local Act law as interpreted by Hillsborough County, Planned Development zoned land is ineligible for development under the Live Local Act.

However, Senate Bill SB 1730 and House Bill HB 943 would change that and explicitly make land currently designated as Planned Development or Planned Unit Development eligible for development under the Live Local Act.

Six of the seven ClubLink-owned golf courses are zoned PD, the exception is the North Lakes course, which is designated as RSC-6.

We believe ClubLink’s filing of NOIs was taken to allow ClubLink more flexibility and to keep their options open in regard to future development actions. However, no applications for development have been filed by ClubLink at this time.

These pending bills before the state legislature are of particular importance to us, because they would allow ClubLink and developers to build on golf course properties in Sun City Center under the Live Local Act. Needless to say, this could dramatically impact our community!

We must do what we can to advocate so this does not happen! 

We urge you to contact your representatives by calling, writing or emailing them. 

Make sure you identify the specific legislation – Senate Bill 1730 and House Bill HB 943 – and “kindly” urge them to amend these bills so they WILL NOT APPLY to Planned Developments, especially in 55+ communities.

Thank you in advance for this important advocacy for Sun City Center and all Planned Development communities.

Here are the representatives to contact in our area:

Michael Owen – State Representative – District 70

District Office

PMB 432
235 Apollo Beach Boulevard
Apollo Beach, FL 33572-2251
Phone: (656) 333-9530

Email: michael.owen@flhouse.gov

Capitol Office

1302 The Capitol
402 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1300
Phone: (850) 717-5070

Jim Boyd – State Senator – District 20, Majority Leader

District Office

717 Manatee Avenue West
Suite 100
Bradenton FL 34205
Phone: (941)-742-6445

Email: boyd.jim.web@flsenate.gov

Capital Office

318 Senate Building
404 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1100
Phone: (850)-487-5020

Ellie’s Notes – April 16th Informational Seminar SCC Community Hall

Hello Fellow Sun City Center and Kings Point residents and other interested folk,

Hope this brief communiqué finds you enjoying our fabulous weather. It doesn’t get much better than this.

Please forward this email to your neighbors and friends who have not signed up to receive them yet. We hope to cast a large net!

Tomorrow we are holding what I believe will be our last Save Sun City Center Informational Meeting for some time unless we exceed the capacity in the SCC Community Hall.  This is your opportunity to get clued in on the most comprehensive and updated information available regarding ClubLink’s announced plans and actions and where things stand relative to golf course development ins-and-outs here in the Greater Sun City Center area.

The meeting is at 5 pm at the SCC Community Hall, 1910 S Pebble Beach Blvd, Sun City Center.

I hope you will join us for this informative session where we hope to educate and inspire you to commit to serving your community by joining us as promoter, donor and/or volunteer. We can’t do it without your participation and support. Please join us.

A critical measure of our success in inspiring you is to get you working with us. There are a multitude of areas where human capital is required. Attached you will find our Volunteer Form outlining some of the areas where help is needed so you can reply indicating your areas of interest or expertise so we can get you involved in the right area. Please review the opportunities and tell us where you’d like to work with us. We have a comprehensive game plan but need help to execute the work necessary and need committed folks. Please review and return the form tomorrow so we can harness your gifts most effectively to protect our community, lifestyle, golf courses and green spaces. If you have questions, I’ll be available to answer them, particularly if you come early. We will be bringing all the volunteers together in May for a kickoff meeting to discuss the opportunities and construct and add to the existing and new teams. We really need you if we are to prevail.

We hope to have everyone wearing SaveSCC tee shirts at the meeting and around town to bring more visibility to our cause and efforts. If you don’t have one, or need more, tomorrow is a great opportunity to get a tee shirt, window cling, yard sign, hanging sign or banner for a nominal donation. A Reservation Form is attached that you can print and complete to expedite your transaction tomorrow. Please print and bring it with you. We’ll be set up to handle transactions at 4 pm or after the meeting.

I suggest you arrive early for any questions or special business.

Hope to see you tomorrow!

Ellie Anderson

312-282-7337

Ellie’s Notes – April 9, 2025

Hello All,

Hope this brief note finds you well.

The April 10^th  SaveSCC Informational meeting has been moved to April 16^th , 2025 at 5 pm at SCC Community Center at 1910 S Pebble Beach to allow for more attendees. Please be there and bring your neighbors and friends who were unable to attend the session on March 26^th.  Getting everyone informed, up to speed and participating is critical to our success and the future of our community. See the attached postcard.

I had an excellent speaking engagement at the Kings Point Concerns Citizen’s Group meeting Monday at the Banquet Room in the Community Hall. I gave a 30 minute talk about SaveSCC and our efforts to protect our golf courses and green spaces.  Augie from the Wimauma Community Planning Advisory Council (WCPAC) also spoke about things happening in Wimauma. Click here if you are interested in viewing his slides.

Please continue to share our email and keep others informed. Spreading the work and having people sign up on our web site SaveSCC.org under the Take Action Tab to receive our communication is vital to our cause and success and just the act of passing on information or wearing a tee shirt can bring the uninformed on board.

We’ll have tee shirts in more sizes – 2xl, 3xl, and 4xl, yard signs, posters with grommets, window clings and banners depending on your preference available for a small donation before or after the meeting on the 16^th.

Hope to see next Wednesday!

Ellie Anderson

SaveSCC.org

312-282-7337

Ellie’s Notes – April 2, 2025

SaveSCC Informational Meeting – April 16, 2026, 5:00 pm, Sun City Center Community Hall, 1901 S Pebble Beach Blvd.

Hallelujah   We will be holding a second Save Sun City Center Informational Meeting on April 16, 2025 in the Community Hall.  This most likely will be your last, “must be there” opportunity to get fully informed and in the know about what’s happening with ClubLink’s Notice of Intent, their intentions, what that means to all of us, and most importantly, how you can help stop them and protect our golf courses and green spaces.  The future of our community lies in our hands and the strength and depth of our engagement to resist is critical. We need everyone onboard and working to accomplish this noble fight for the future welfare of our community and green spaces as we know them. The depth of contribution will have an enormous impact on the outcome.  I need you and your community needs you! We’re in it, to win it!  Without you, we’re done.

If you were at the March 26^th meeting, you know we mean business and have our act together. If you weren’t, then you owe it to yourself and us, to come find out.   Bring your friends, your neighbors! Make it happen. We might have press there and we need to show we are really serious and you are essential in doing that.

I again apologize for the venue issues and capacity but as I’ve said, we have been working to address that and are grateful to the Community Association for their help in adding us to the approved 501 (c) (3) organization list for facility use for the larger venues. Thank you CA President Clark and the CA Board members! We really appreciate your help.  And again, my sincere apologies to those who came last week and were turned away. We are doing our best with what we have and appreciate your understanding.

We will be setting up and available for anyone wishing to obtain SAVESCC tee shirts, yard signs, and window slicks and are ordering more tee shirts in the larger sizes ( 2XL, 3XL, and 4 XL ) to accommodate everyone.  These tee shirts allow us to demonstrate support and will be essential “must wear” clothing to easily engage others and support the cause personally and financially. We all need several to wear around town and at public gatherings and meetings to promote our efforts and engage everyone! It is a small thing that opens doors and engages and enlists others. People are curious and ask about it, building the hype and bringing others into the fold! And we’ll provide you with postcards to have with you to give out so that new folks can easily connect with SaveSCC.

Speaking of postcards, click here for the postcard and click here for the Press Release. We also will have a piece in the Observer promoting the meeting and informing folks.

Please spread the word and post the information where you can. You are part of our “green tsunami.”

If you are not on our members email list, go to our website at SaveSCC.org under the Take Action tab and click on Join Us as A Member and complete the form so you get our communications.

I really hope to see you on April 16^th with all your buds!

Thanks for your support!

Ellie Anderson

312-282-7337

Ellie Notes  – March 30, 2025

We had a phenomenal turnout for the Special SaveSCC Informational Meeting on March 27, 2025, at the Rollins Theater.

Thank you to every person who attended the event, and my apologies to those who could not participate in the meeting due to space constraints of the venue. We have been working to overcome venue challenges and costs with the CA board as a new, 501(c)(3) organization. With this change, we hope to become a CA recognized organization, according to the CA’s facilities policy, in regard to room-charge policy for rental, security deposit and set-up charges for all CA venues in the future at little or no cost.

The meeting and facts leading up to the development fight with ClubLink were presented by me, as President and spokesperson for SaveSCC, based on extensive research and consultation by our teams over the past three years.

We have also enlisted the support of Hillsborough County staff, commissioners and their staffs; SCC Community board members, past and present; community residents with applicable knowledge as professionals in Land Use, Planning, Real Estate Development and Law, as well as pro bono experts from other communities conducting similar fights to save their communities from redevelopment of their golf courses.

Additional impromptu speakers were Ron Clark, who spoke as a private citizen, lives on Caloosa Greens, one of the courses for proposed development. Ron also answered questions as CA President. Thank you, Ron!

Ricki Bauman, member of the Hillsborough Land Use Appeal Board for special use permits and variances from zoning regulations, also spoke. Ricki is a community resident, member of local civic organizations, and realtor.

She spoke of the importance of speaking and being a party of record at public meetings, which will be noticed and held by the county once ClubLink files its application and project details with Hillsborough County. Anyone’s standing to oppose development rests on their participation as a party of record in the initial Land Use Hearing Public Meeting. Thank you, Ricki, for your wise words!

We had another notable attendee from Hillsborough County Commissioner Joshua Wostal’s office – his aide, Ryan Becker. Ryan commented to me after the meeting that our analysis and presentation was “spot on” for its research and our insights concerning the ever-changing landscape regarding the laws, land development code, comprehensive plan and community affecting what is allowed at any given moment. Thank you Ryan!

Based on our anticipation and popular demand, we proactively arranged before the meeting for a repeat of this vital information session date and time to be determined. We tried to advise those turned away from this meeting of the upcoming meeting but that didn’t always happen.  The updated SaveSCC Postcard is attached for your information and friends.

As we did with our March meeting, we will be available beforehand for special concerns and/or obtaining SaveSCC collateral materials and promotion items (tee-shirts, window clings, etc., for a donation). If you want to get a tee-shirt, this would be an opportune time.

At the April meeting, I will skinny it down and zero in on the punch line more. Unfortunately, the end got somewhat off track due to unplanned speakers, issues with room occupancy and folks leaving to get home on golf carts before dark.

What we attempted to explain as some attendees exited and we got cut off bares mentioning again here:

ClubLink has not, and will not, go away. This company has pursued numerous similar projects in both Canada and the U.S. So, they have a long track record. They have time, money, experience and expertise on their side.

They will file an application for development when it is in their best interest to do so. We have no idea of what their timing is, but their intent is crystal clear – build residential or even commercial multifamily senior housing – single family homes, villas or duplexes, and/or senior housing. They intend to develop, because that’s where the money is, and their prime target is Sandpiper, per their own annual report to investors. But no ClubLink property is safe.

ClubLink filed a Notice of Intent for Projects Under the Live Local Act (LLA) to keep their options open. The requirements for Live Local Project continue to change and evolve. Each county’s interpretation of what qualifies is different and evolving. Per the County’s website on this program, “As this is a new program, please check back often for new information as we gather experience and clarification regarding these new guidelines.”  ClubLink submitted on February 28, 2024, and Hillsborough County’s  the most recent LLA code amendment was adopted by the BOCC and became effective on Sept. 12, 2024. ClubLink could be grandfathered or under the updated rules. That remains to be seen.

So let’s be perfectly clear, today’s Hillsborough’s interpretation under the Live Local Act, memorialized in the Land Development Code, limits zoning districts that qualify for consideration in Hillsborough County to BPO, OR, CN, CG, CI, or M. Therefore, as of now, properties with planned development or RSC-6 zoning ( the 7 courses they own in SCC)  are not eligible for consideration under that interpretation of the Live Local Act. Right now, however, other Florida counties, including Lee County, interpret the Live Local Act law differently. In Lee County, non-residential and mixed-used Planned Development (PD) zoning districts may be used for Live Local projects.

There have been and will continue to be challenges in the courts to clarify under LLA what does or does not qualify or apply under what circumstance and terms. There are many unknowns and ambiguities when trying to apply and use the law’s benefits. Only time will tell if this is really the avenue that ClubLink will take. And if they do, does LLA apply, and whether they intend it only for a portion of the properties or subset of their overall project.

SaveSCC will continue to work only with sufficient involvement and support from all of the community,  and hopefully, the CA. There is significant work to be done and resources – people, money and time are essential to our success. We are assessing the community’s commitment level, and will continue to do so to gauge our level of involvement and ongoing efforts accordingly.

Success in this endeavor takes an army, and everyone has something to contribute. We need generals, lieutenants, staff sergeants and privates. It will take a village mobilized as an army, and we are ready and prepared to lead us to victory. BUT, we can only do this if we are resourced properly.

We are surveying the entire horizon and doing a deep dive in every facet of this challenge. To reach our potential, we need to pursue our goals and find every bit of competent, substantial evidence that supports the protection and preservation of our golf courses for future recreation use. This is the future we seek. It is about the health, welfare, lifestyle and safeguarding our residents and their investment here. It is our collective responsibility to ourselves, our community, one another and those yet to come to Sun City Center. It is a fight for our future we cannot afford to lose.

So, if you could not attend our recent Informational Meeting, I pledge to hold them in the near future until we have provided everyone with the opportunity to hear the details, ask their questions and make their own decision about what they can contribute to the effort.

As I said before, we will hold our next Information Meeting – a repeat performance, back by popular demand, on April 10, 2025, at 6 p.m. in Rollins Theatre. We’ll be available before the meeting begins for donations, tee shirts, volunteer opportunities and special questions. Come see for yourself what it is all about and what you can do to protect our green space and golf courses, if we unite.

Additional meetings are in the planning and will be scheduled once SaveSCC is adopted  and listed by the CA Board in the Facilities Policy indicating our status with respect to room rent, deposits and room set-up fees for all CA facilities, including the Community Hall. CA facility access and related costs changes for us are occurring as I write this. The CA Board has been researching this and is addressing our request in the coming weeks at the upcoming board workshop and board meeting for adoption in the Facilities Policy.

Other than an informational session, the best place to get information and know what is happening, is our email blast or website. You can sign up as a member and receive our email blast by registering as a member at https://savescc.org/114-2/. Our SaveSCC website is at https://savescc.org.

Please share this email with your friend, neighbors, and associates. We need to spread the word, and you can help! Pass it on!

I hope to see you at one of our upcoming Informational Sessions.  Most importantly, after you know the facts, I want you to be a volunteer and/or donor and support us. We need you!

There will be special meetings for volunteers to get everyone on board with the detailed work at hand, and assemble the leadership and teams to execute the work. However, we will conclude the informational meetings and recruitment effort before the volunteer kickoff meeting.

Thanks for reading! Any thoughts, suggestions, or questions are welcome.

Ellie Anderson

312-282-7337

Ellie’s Notes – Save Sun City Center – March 15, 2025

Hello All,

ClubLink submitted their Notice of Intent for Proposed Project Under Live Local Act in three separate letters for North Lakes Course, Sandpiper and Caloosa Greens:

Those Notices of Intent are linked here for your review. These are Notices of Intent; no projects have been submitted as of March 6, 2025.

• 1702 S. Pebble Beach Boulevard  (Sandpiper)
• 2205 E. Del Webb Boulevard (Caloosa Greens)
• 1225 N. Pebble Beach Boulevard (North Lakes)

LIVE LOCAL ACT

Per Google  “The “Live Local Act,” enacted as Senate Bill 102 and effective July 1, 2023, is a Florida state law designed to increase the availability of affordable housing by allowing developers to preempt certain zoning restrictions for multifamily and mixed-use developments.

Here’s a more detailed breakdown:

• Purpose:

The Live Local Act aims to encourage the development of affordable housing in Florida, allowing developers to build residential and mixed-use multifamily rental developments with a significant portion of units designated as affordable.

• Key Provisions:
• Affordable Housing Requirement: At least 40% of residential units in a project must be affordable for a period of at least 30 years.
• Administrative Approval: The Act allows for administrative approval of qualifying projects, streamlining the development process.
• Preemption of Zoning Restrictions: Projects can preempt established density, height, and allowable use restrictions to facilitate affordable housing development.
• Funding and Incentives: The Act includes funding and tax credits, tax incentives, and land use tools to support affordable housing initiatives.
• How it Works:

Developers can propose projects that include a certain percentage of affordable units, and the state will provide administrative approval and potentially other incentives to make these projects feasible.

• Specifics for Sun City Center:

As Sun City Center is located in Hillsborough County, any Live Local Act projects in the area must still adhere to the County’s Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Code regulations for multifamily developments in areas zoned for such use.

• Ongoing Development:

As this is a relatively new program, information and guidance are still evolving, so it’s important to stay informed about the latest updates and clarifications. “

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We will discuss this and next steps at the SaveSCC  informational meeting on March 27^th at 6 pm in the Rollins Theater, 901 Cherry Hill Dr. 

While I don’t believe they will be successful with a Live Local Act proposal, when big money is involved, strange things happen and we have a pro-business environment in our state.

Per Adam Gormly, Director of Development Service, Hillsborough County, “Regarding the Hillsborough County zoning districts that qualify for consideration under the Live Local Act, they are as you stated BPO, OR, CN, CG, CI, or M.  Properties with planned development or RSC-6 zoning are not eligible for consideration under the Live Local Act.”

The bottom line is we need volunteers to do the background work, everyone needs to stay involved and vigilant. We must prepare and be ready when ClubLink submits their project(s) and application to the County, and we all must make our voices heard by the county commissioners.

FUN FEST 2025

It was great to see so many of you at Fun Fest 2025.  It was a great day all the way around. Unfortunately, petitioning on CA property is no longer allowed but our postcard handout worked very well. We distributed some 700 postcards promoting our Save Sun City Center community efforts to stop development of golf courses at our special upcoming informational meeting on March 27 at 6 pm in the Rollins theatre.  We will also be available for donations for SaveSCC items (tee shirts, lawn signs, window slicks, or banners)  from 5:00 – 6:00PM and after the meeting.

Here is a link to the electronic copy of the postcard. Please share it with your friends, neighbors, HOA members, and club members, if you can. As you read below, you understand the urgency of getting the word out.

EMERGENCY SQUAD

On a completely unrelated note, I feel the need as a community activist to bring something to your attention that requires your action immediately.

The SCC Emergency Squad is a gem of our community that I am grateful for and would willingly pay $ 15.00 a year via my CA dues to support them with a continuous and dependable source of financial support to continue their work. They are experiencing financial hardships and difficulty securing volunteers. They need our support and need to help so they can continue to service our SCC CA community that has not provided the outstanding commitment and financial support that KingsPoint has. Please read this article from the Observer for more background but most importantly, go to the Emergency Squad office and sign their petition to show the overwhelming majority of CA members want SCC EMS Squad service and would approve adding $ 15.00 to their CA dues to support them.

TAKE ACTION!!!

Please distribute this important information to your friends, associates, HOA, club members, etc.  It is important everyone be informed on these important issues affecting our community.

Encourage those not directly receiving our email blast to Register  on our website SaveSCC.org under the tab Take Action.

Hope to see you on March 27th if not before. In the interim, be well and vigilant and get involved in continuing to make Sun City Center the awesome place it is!

Ellie Anderson

312-282-7337

Hillsborough County received Notices of Intent for proposed projects under the Live Local Act.

Click each link below to view the specific Notice of Intent for each project:

• 1702 S. Pebble Beach Boulevard  (Sandpiper)
• 2205 E. Del Webb Boulevard (Caloosa Greens)
• 1225 N. Pebble Beach Boulevard (North Lakes)

 KNOW WHAT THE “LIVE LOCAL ACT” MEANS TO YOU !!!

This development project is proposed under the LIVE LOCAL ACT which may or may not be appropriate. As of March 6th, no actual project has been submitted.

The Live Local Act, passed in Florida in 2023, is a transformative housing policy aimed at addressing the state’s affordable and workforce housing challenges. Here are some detailed highlights:

• Zoning and Land Use: The Act allows affordable housing projects to be built in areas zoned for commercial or industrial use without requiring rezoning. This provision overrides local government zoning restrictions, streamlining the approval process for developers.
• Tax Incentives: Developers can benefit from significant property tax exemptions. For example, units serving households earning up to 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI) receive a 100% tax exemption, while those serving households earning between 80-120% AMI receive a 75% exemption.
• State-Owned Land: The Act encourages the use of state-owned lands for affordable housing projects, making it easier for developers to access land for such initiatives.
• Funding: The Act represents the largest investment in housing efforts in Florida’s history, with over $700 million allocated to affordable housing programs.
• Workforce Housing: It incentivizes the development of housing for middle-income workers, addressing the “missing middle” in the housing market.
• Long-Term Affordability: Projects benefiting from these incentives must maintain affordability for at least 30 years.

The Act has sparked a wave of new housing proposals across Florida, however further clarification as to applicability is required.

Please attend this Important informational meeting on 3/27/2025 in the Rollins Theater, 901 Cherry Hill Drive, starting at 6:00PM.

For any resident who would like Save Sun City Center items (t-shirts, window slicks, yard signs or banners), these will be available from 5:00-6:00pm before the meeting.