by James Coulter
Two ordinances have been approved that will allow for the future annexation of the Hickory Ridge subdivision into the city limits in exchange for access to the city’s water system.
At their regular meeting on Tues. July 1, 2025, Lake Wales city commissioners voted to approve two ordinances related to the annexation of property into the city limits.
The first ordinance was the second reading for the annexation of .25 acres of land located west of Capps Road and contiguous to the city limits. The property’s owner, FLLWCC, had petitioned for the annexation in September 2021. No development plans are currently contemplated for that property.
The second ordinance was the first reading of a proposed annexation of 47+ acres of land located west of Capps Road and currently under development within unincorporated Polk County. The property’s owner, Garden Street Communities, had petitioned for the annexation in August 2021.
Both annexations are related to Hickory Ridge, a 73-lot single-family residential neighborhood subdivision. Likewise, both annexations were proposed to help annex the subdivision into the city limits in exchange for municipal water.
“City sewer service is not yet available to serve the project; therefore, the lots are designed for septic tanks,” wrote Autumn Cochella, Director of Growth Management.
“As the project nears final plat, it is in the City’s best interest to act on the annexation agreement now, before the lots are officially platted and recorded in the County,” she further elaborated.
City Commissioner Keith Thompson supported both ordinances out of what he called his “blue collar pragmatism.”He argued that voting against these ordinances would be to vote against potential revenue for the City.
“I do not see the point of turning up greater tax revenue for the city,” he said. “If we pass it up [this opportunity] because we don’t like how they flush their toilets, I don’t think it does our city any service.”
