You are allowed to change your mind.
That’s the message that came out of the City of Frostproof‘s Special Magistrate meeting last night.
On the agenda was a proposal to change the zoning of the proposed RV park from Agricultural to Mobile Home Park. Consisting of 89 RV sites, the planned park is near the intersection of Cody Villa Road and Wes Mann Road in Frostproof. The property is owned by Landdaly, Inc.
Samantha Anderson, Assistant to the Clerk of Courts in Frostproof, has given Lake Wales Daily a review of what transpired at last night’s meeting.
Brian Hunter, an engineer for Chris Daly, of Landdaly, Inc., spoke first on the matter and offered statements in favor of the project.
Members of the Crooked Lake Defenders offered a presentation against the zoning change. The Crooked Lake Defenders’ primary goal is “to provide education and public awareness in order to preserve the natural beauty, purity of water, inherent ecological value and quality of living that distinguishes Crooked Lake of Babson Park, Florida,” as it states on their website.
Councilman Mike Hutto made a motion to approve the proposal, which was seconded by Councilwoman Tashana True. Councilwoman Leslie Brewer also voted in favor of the proposal.
Frostproof Jonathan Albert and Vice Mayor Austin Gravely voted against the proposal, creating a 3-2 vote in favor of approving the zoning change in the first vote.
Upon further debate and discussion, a final vote was called by Gravely by motion to rescind future land use for mobile home parks. The City Council voted 5-0 in favor of the motion.
“It (the zoning proposal) didn’t pass or fail,” says Anderson. “It died due to a lack of action.”
Vice Mayor Gravely was pleased with outcome of the vote and shared his pride for being a part of the City Council.
“Tonight’s vote initially did not go as I had hoped, said Gravely. “A 3-2 decision to approve the RV park. After the first vote on the first ordinance for future land use, I saw our council witness the public in complete and total sadness.
“The council regrouped and we continued debating. I was not happy with the outcome of the first vote. I saw doubt in some of my fellow commissioners about the decision they had just made due to the inaction on approving the rezoning, so I made the motion to rescind the previous ordinance/decision and to my surprise, the council voted to reject the RV Park 5-0. To say it was a proud moment was an understatement. It shows our council truly cares about the feelings of the people and the direction the majority of people want to see our city go.
“Once again, it made me proud to be a part of the Frostproof City Council. It takes courage and conviction to change your mind and my fellow council showed that courage tonight.”
All 5 members of the City Council were contacted via email for the opportunity to comment. Only Gravely responded in time for publication.
We spoke to Chris Daly this afternoon afternoon, and he offered the following statement:
“We have no hard feelings. I wish the very best for the community and for the city of Frostproof. It’s a great community.”
