by James Coulter
A future fire station planned for five acres of land south of Hunt Brothers Road is closer to being built now that city commissioners have approved the annexation and changes to zoning and future land use of the property.
At their regular meeting on Tues. Nov. 19, 2025, Lake Wales city commissioners voted unanimously to approve the second reading of an ordinance annexing five acres of land into the city limits.
Commissioners also voted unanimously to approve two ordinances changing the zoning and future land use of the subject property to City Light Industrial (I-1) and City Industrial (IND), respectively.
The subject property is five acres of land within a 19-acre parcel located south of Hunt Brothers Road and west of Nest Egg Road. The site is being considered for the future construction of Lake Wales Fire Station 3.
“The additional 14 acres still owned by the McKenna family will also be annexed in the future, along with a request for Industrial future land use and zoning designations,” wrote Autumn Cochella, Director of Growth Management.
Upon review, City Staff determined that the proposed zoning and future land use changes were “consistent with those assigned within the surrounding area” and that the property was located “within the City’s utility service area and future development will connect to municipal water, sewer, and reuse, maximizing the utilization of the City’s utility system.”
