by James Coulter
An extension to Central Polk Parkway near Thornhill Road in Bartow has many residents raising concerns about potential traffic problems, flooding, and overcrowded schools.
At their regular meeting on Tues. July 15, Polk County commissioners voted unanimously to change the land use designation of 158 acres near Thornhill Road.
The land use designation will be changed from Agricultural/Residential-Rural (A/RR) to Residential-Low (RL), and from Rural Development Area (RDA) to Urban Growth Area (UGA).
The subject property is located south of Thornhill Road, east of Lake Hancock, and north of Bartow. Its land use designation change will help facilitate further urbanization of the area due to the extension of Central Polk Parkway.
Bart Allen, an attorney representing the property owner, mentioned how the property has been bifurcated due to the parkway expansion, which “dynamically changes the feel of the property” and is “urbanizing this area in an area that is urbanized already.”
“You have seen a tremendous amount of growth coming to this piece of property,” he said. “You have the infrastructure in place, the water, the utilities, and that is why it is now appropriate to go to the residential low and urban growth boundaries.”
However, the change to the property, along with the construction of the parkway, has raised concerns from residents in the area. Several residents spoke during public comments to express their concerns about traffic and other potential problems these changes will create.
One resident, Daniel Bentz, inquired about the intent of the property. As the property was a wet area with ditches, he asked where the water would go if something were built there.
“I’m opposed to it, but I know nothing I will say or do will change all of your minds because they will get their way because they are rich and powerful people,” he said.
Another resident, Kerry Forsell, brought up the potential traffic issues the parkway extension could create for Thornhill Road. He mentioned how the road was already dangerous due to the semi-trucks that regularly drive along it.
“I have seen accidents taking my garbage out at the end of the road,” he said.
Jennifer Castro, a teacher at a local school, raised concerns about the impact on local schools. If the property becomes the location of new development, the influx of new residents could potentially overcrowd already overcrowded nearby schools.
“Our schools are at a very high capacity,” she said. “Our schools are brimming, so something like this will really impact your schools.”
Allen returned to the podium to address these concerns. He mentioned that the parkway will implement drainage and culverts to alleviate potential flooding, and that local schools had the capacity to receive new students.
“Even looking at the areas, that property is already residential low, so we are not changing anything in that area,” he said. “So, we are not having any significant change on what can be developed in that area.”
