High Springs: February 26, 2026 High Springs City Commission Meeting
Summary. The High Springs City Commission held a workshop meeting on February 26, 2026, to discuss certified recovery residences (CRRs) and the need to establish procedures for exemptions from the city's land development code as required by state statute. The discussion focused on two main issues: creating an ordinance for the exemption process and determining where CRRs should be permitted within the city. The city attorney explained that CRRs are recovery residences with valid certificates issued by state-regulated credentialing entities, operating at four different levels based on resident needs and supervision requirements. The commission discussed various regulatory approaches including distance requirements from schools, daycares, parks, and alcohol-serving establishments, density restrictions, and whether different approval processes should apply to different CRR levels. The meeting concluded with staff agreeing to provide overlay maps showing distance restrictions and examples from other municipalities like Orlando for the commission's review.
Agenda Items
1. Discussion on Certified Recovery Residences
Comprehensive discussion of how to regulate certified recovery residences in the city, including required exemption procedures and zoning considerations
- Definition and requirements for certified recovery residences
- Four levels of CRRs with different staffing and oversight requirements
- State-mandated timeline for exemption applications (30-60 days)
- Distance requirements from schools, daycares, parks, and alcohol establishments
- Density restrictions and compatibility with existing zoning
- Administrative vs. commission approval for different CRR levels
- Current gaps in city's land development code regarding CRRs
Action Items
Send Orlando's permitted uses table for CRRs to commissioners for review
Assigned to City Attorney · Due Tomorrow (February 27, 2026)
Create overlay map showing 500-foot distance restrictions from schools, daycares, parks, bars, restaurants serving alcohol, and package stores
Assigned to Planning Technician Christy
Bring back ordinance for exemption process with all four CRR levels requiring commission approval
Assigned to City Attorney · Due Next commission meeting
Research whether different approval processes for CRR levels 1-2 vs 3-4 is legally permissible
Assigned to City Attorney
Frequently Asked Questions
What was decided at this meeting?
The High Springs City Commission held a workshop meeting on February 26, 2026, to discuss certified recovery residences (CRRs) and the need to establish procedures for exemptions from the city's land development code as required by state statute. The discussion focused on two main issues: creating an ordinance for the exemption process and determining where CRRs should be permitted within the city. The city attorney explained that CRRs are recovery residences with valid certificates issued by state-regulated credentialing entities, operating at four different levels based on resident needs and supervision requirements. The commission discussed various regulatory approaches including distance requirements from schools, daycares, parks, and alcohol-serving establishments, density restrictions, and whether different approval processes should apply to different CRR levels. The meeting concluded with staff agreeing to provide overlay maps showing distance restrictions and examples from other municipalities like Orlando for the commission's review.
What was on the agenda?
This meeting covered 1 agenda item: Discussion on Certified Recovery Residences.
What action items came out of this meeting?
4 action items were identified. See the Action Items section above for details and who they were assigned to.
Who attended this meeting?
6 members were recorded as present: Mayor, Vice Mayor Busworth, Commissioner Bloodsworth, Commissioner White, City Attorney, Planning Technician Christy.
Where can I watch the full recording?
The full video recording is available on YouTube or embedded at the top of this page.
What county is High Springs in?
High Springs is located in Alachua County, Florida. Browse other Alachua County meeting summaries to see what local governments across the county are working on.
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