NewsWUSF — Tampa Bay NPR (Local & State)September 13, 2026Hillsborough County
Administrative Law Judge narrows New College campus master plan disputes for mediation
Photo: WUSF — Tampa Bay NPR (Local & State)
An administrative law judge narrowed the roughly 25 allegations in neighbor petitions regarding the New College campus master plan, leaving specific claims about athletic fields, the Education Freedom Institute, tree removal, and vehicle access to proceed to mediation.
Read the full story at WUSF — Tampa Bay NPR (Local & State)Why It Matters
The outcome of the will determine whether and how New College can proceed with disputed campus development plans involving athletic facilities, environmental preservation areas, and traffic access near neighboring properties.
Key Facts
- An administrative law judge narrowed approximately 25 allegations raised in neighbor petitions.
- Remaining claims for mediation involve proposed athletic fields near Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.
- Remaining claims involve the development of land planned for the Education Freedom Institute.
- Remaining claims involve tree removal in the Uplands Preserve.
- Remaining claims involve vehicle access from Uplands Boulevard.
Who's Mentioned
PersonRon DeSantis“Governor of Florida who installed conservative trustees”PersonLilianne Raud“Petitioner challenging the campus plan”PersonJono Miller“Petitioner raising concerns over land use and Manatee County plan consistency”OrganizationSouthwest Florida Water Management District“District that reviewed the campus plan”locationUplands Preserve“Location of tree removal claims”locationSarasota-Bradenton International Airport“Proximity reference for proposed athletic fields”locationUplands Boulevard“Location of vehicle access claims”OrganizationNew College of Florida“Public university undergoing a campus master plan update”PersonPeter Schelhorn“Petitioner alleging discrepancies in plan versions”OrganizationFlorida Division of Administrative Hearings“State division handling the administrative law complaints”locationThe Uplands“Subdivision adjacent to the New College campus”PersonJudy Burns“Uplands Association Inc. President and petitioner”PersonRichard Corcoran“Current New College president”OrganizationEducation Freedom Institute“Planned land development involved in the disputes”PersonPatricia Okker“Former New College president”OrganizationFlorida Department of Environmental Protection“State department that reviewed the campus plan”PersonKaren Stack“Uplands resident and petitioner”PersonJamie Miller“New College spokesperson”PersonRuth Folit“Petitioner challenging the campus plan”OrganizationNew College“Subject of the campus master plan and mediation”