At a joint workshop hosted by the Town of Lake Placid and the Central Florida Regional Planning Council, residents and board members emphasized preserving the town’s small‑town character while addressing infrastructure gaps identified in a downtown master planning effort. Facilitators presented poll and survey results that showed strong support for safety and community character but highlighted infrastructure as the top priority.

The facilitator summarized survey responses: residents most valued Lake Placid’s hometown feel, small businesses and friendly atmosphere; when asked about serving residents, about two‑thirds of attendees said it was a weakness but improving. “When it comes to safety, 91% thought it was a strength and still improving,” the facilitator said, citing live poll results. Participants split on walkability; many praised existing sidewalks but noted gaps where sidewalk programs stopped mid‑block.

Panelists reviewed downtown planning aims including predictable development standards, design guidelines for commercial corridors and incentives to encourage residential development over retail in core areas. Presenters compared local density allowances (the town’s highest current downtown density was noted as about 12 units per acre) with nearby cities that allow up to about 40 units per acre, and discussed whether higher downtown density — where utilities exist — could support amenities for multiple generations and help stabilize the tax base.

Speakers raised equity and fiscal points: one participant warned the town’s tax base may erode if it remains primarily a retirement community and does not attract younger households who contribute to the tax base. Panelists suggested targeted incentives to bring residential development into the downtown core where utilities and sidewalks are concentrated, plus design guidance to preserve local character.

The meeting included an engagement exercise using Poll Everywhere and a public invitation to add items to a facilitator’s “parking lot” for topics that need more time; infrastructure and a potential follow‑up utilities workshop were repeatedly noted for deeper study. The workshop closed with a group photo and adjournment at 07:37.

Next steps: downtown master plan work will continue alongside recommended scoping of infrastructure priorities, and staff were asked to collect additional survey input and refine options for downtown densities and utility phasing.