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Tree conservation a priority for new projects When site work begins for a new government complex in south Tavares this year, one priority will be the conservation of trees. The Lake County Board of County Commissioners were presented information at a Jan. 8 meeting about the intricacies of the 56-acre tract of land that is proposed to be developed for new facilities for the departments of Public Safety and Public Works, Sheriff’s Office and Health Department. The site is located at the corner of State Road 19 and County Road 448, near the County’s Lake Idamere Park. According to William Starmer, president of Starmer Ranaldi Planning and Architecture, the construction area of the site will encompass about 38 acres, which “if you look at the site, the lion’s share of the vegetation is a planted slash pine forest.” Starmer recommended to the Board of County Commissioners a “cost-effective land development plan” that includes harvesting the planted pines, while working to save the 30 or 40 oaks and other native trees on the site. Other trees that will be spared include those in the 50- and 100-foot buffer zones around the new development. While a number of slash pine trees will be removed from the property and sold for timber, these particular trees were planted a number of years ago with the intention of being harvested at a future date. “In the long-range plan, we’ll be looking at planting more canopy trees,” said Commissioner Welton Cadwell. 
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| Grand celebration planned for new library The Lake County Library System is on the verge of writing the final chapter for its existing library location in the Four Corners community, and it will begin weaving a new story in the gorgeous Cagan Crossings Community Library. Library staff are diligently preparing for an opening celebration of the new library, located at 16729 Cagan Oaks, on Monday, Feb. 11, from 2 to 4 p.m. The long-awaited event will include a ribbon-cutting ceremony, entertainment, refreshments and library tours. Unfortunately, the new beginning signals an end for the Citrus Ridge Community Library, which is located about one-half mile east of the Cagan Crossings facility. The Citrus Ridge library has occupied the shopping center space since 2000, but it will close its doors for the final time on Saturday, Jan. 19. It will take about three weeks for staff to box, move and reshelf the entire library collection. In addition, the opening day collection for the Cagan Crossings library will include 5,000 new items. The increased library collection is just one of the improved features of the new facility. The new library is about three times larger with separate children and teen areas, training lab, 31 public-access computers, free wireless Internet access and a 150-seat community service room, which will provide space for local functions and events.  |
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| Green building remains at the forefront County Commissioners pored over data at a meeting in January relating to sustainable design measures that are being considered for the Lake County Judicial Center expansion. Lake County is employing a variety of techniques to meet standards set by the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system. Some of these measures include using recycled building materials, reflective roof material, drought-tolerant landscaping, low-flow faucets, recycling stations, and high-performance heating and air conditioning equipment. A voluntary program, LEED provides a complete framework for assessing building performance and meeting ustainability goals. Based on well-founded scientific standards, LEED emphasizes state-of-the-art strategies for sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality. |
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| Roll Call
There are more than a dozen different projects underway for the Lake County Department of Facilities Development and Management. Here are a few developments: 
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