Proposal to Annex 558+ Acres of Land West of Lake Wales Given Preliminary Approval with Unanimous Vote by City Commissioners
by James Coulter
Approximately 558+ acres of land located on the western edge of Lake Wales may be annexed into the city now that the city has given preliminary approval of the proposal.
At their meeting on Tuesday evening, Lake Wales City Commissioners voted 5-0 to approve the first reading of four ordinances concerning the annexation of 558+ acres of land at the western edge of the city and contiguous to the incorporated City limits.
These ordinances would:
• Annex the land into the Lake Wales city limits.
• Change the future land use map designation of this land from “County Agriculture/Residential Rural (A/RR) & Industrial” to “City MU Mixed Use.”
• Change the zoning map designation of this land from “County Agriculture/Residential Rural (A/RR) & Industrial” to “PDMU Planned Development Mixed Use.”
• Approve a Master Development Plan (MDP) for the above-mentioned parcels contingent upon the adoption of the other ordinances.
The 26 subject properties, which have a combined acreage of approximately 558+ acres, are located north of SR 60, 12 miles east of Bartow, and directly adjacent to the City of Lake Wales jurisdiction boundary.
The future land use and zoning map designation amendments had been approved by the Planning and Zoning Board at their regular meeting on July 23, 2024, where they determined, according to the agenda item, that “the recommended Future Land Use designation is consistent with the City Comprehensive Plan and Land Use Regulation.”
Shelton Rice, an attorney with Peterson and Myers, representing the owner of most of the land being considered for annexation, claimed that the proposal had been “worked on” for years and that it would be a net plus for Lake Wales.
“This is a project we have worked on for years,” Rice said. “We believe it is a real opportunity for the city.”
Mayor Jack Hilligoss agreed, claiming that the reason for the proposed annexation was visibly plain on the map itself: the additional land would bring additional opportunity and growth for the city.
“Why would we annex this? The map tells the tale of that,” he said. “Because if we do not annex it, someone else will, which means we will not get the benefits of running water lines out there…That is why we annex these properties. That is why I am approving this annexation. I think it is a marvelous project. I cannot wait to start moving dirt out there.”
However, a few city residents raised questions and concerns about the annexation. Charlene Bennett took to the stand for public comments to address the annexation and raise her concerns about it.
She mentioned that potential water use on the land could serve as a problem for the state aquifer, especially with many other cities tapping into it. She also remained skeptical about the land itself, as it was not mostly citrus as allegedly depicted on the map.
“Most of this land is not citrus grove property,” she said. “I drove out there. It is mostly fields and trees. So, you cannot take the applicant’s word for future needs. You need someone independent for an analysis.”
She also raised the concern that the land annexation would only lead to the land being sold, which would only raise overall costs and thus devalue the property.
“That is what appears to me,” she said. “It is a big land speculation project. He [the owner] will probably sell to someone else. It is a thing that makes money for one or two people but it raises the price of the property for everyone. Why would you want to facilitate this with an annexation? And it is about annexation, not property rights.”
Skip Olfred, President and CEO of the Lake Wales Area Chamber of Commerce & Economic Development Council, claimed that his organization voted unanimously to approve the annexation. He claimed it would be nothing less than a benefit to the city.
“These developments are used as an alternative for sprawl to control sprawl so we can control it,” he said. “It will give us revenue for what the city needs. So, this is a good thing for Lake Wales. It will help bring the jobs and revenues. It gives our kids a better future and better quality of life.”
