Local Government and Politics - Lake Wales Daily News

Developer Credit Agreement Approved for Planned 300‑Unit Bok Estates Community

Allison — Wed, 09 Sep 2026 13:27:01 +0000

Developer Credit Agreement Approved for Planned 300‑Unit Bok Estates Community
by James Coulter

To support the construction of alley‑loaded streets for a proposed 300‑unit residential community, city commissioners have approved an agreement granting the developer credit against impact fees.

At their regular meeting last month, Lake Wales city commissioners voted unanimously to approve their consent agenda, which included a developer credit agreement with Bok Estates, LLC.

The agreement applies to Bok Estates (also known as Ridge Luxury Townhomes), a residential project planned for a 30‑acre site off Old Scenic Highway, southwest of Bok Tower Gardens.

The proposed development is expected to include approximately 300 townhouse units spread across 55 multi‑family buildings, along with a 2,000‑square‑foot amenity center, all overlooking nearby Lake Caroline.

The agreement provides a 50 percent reduction on the applicable impact fees. Based on the total estimated extra expenses of $1,284,589.68, the developer is expected to receive a credit of $642,294.84.

Impact fees are one‑time charges assessed on new development to help cities pay for the expanded infrastructure, such as roads, water systems, and public facilities, that are needed to serve additional residents.

Under city policy, developers can earn credits toward those fees if they construct certain public improvements themselves. This means a developer may reduce the amount owed by building infrastructure the city would otherwise have to fund.

For Bok Estates, this credit applies specifically to the construction of alley‑loaded streets. These streets are designed to meet the city’s Traditional Neighborhood Design (TND) standards, which require rear‑alley access for residential lots narrower than 55 feet.

These standards are part of the city’s overall strategic vision outlined in Lake Wales Envisioned, a strategy created to “guide growth and conservation throughout the city and its surrounding utility service area for decades to come,” according to its website.

These standards aim to promote “interconnected networks of walkable, bikeable, tree-lined streets,” where “buildings face public spaces,” and narrow parcels include alleys “to reduce curb cuts that interrupt the sidewalk.”

The strategy seeks to move the city away from “new neighborhoods that look more like habitats for cars than for people,” instead encouraging development patterns that support walkability, infill growth, and traditional urban design.

By approving the agreement, commissioners signaled support for both the project and the city’s broader planning goals. The credit allows the developer to move forward with a design that aligns with Lake Wales’ vision for walkable neighborhoods while reducing the financial burden typically associated with new residential construction.

The post Developer Credit Agreement Approved for Planned 300‑Unit Bok Estates Community first appeared on Lake Wales Daily News.

Residents Raise Concerns About Proposed Right-Of-Way Vacation of 237 Feet Along Ninth Street North

Allison — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 11:59:40 +0000

Residents Raise Concerns About Proposed Right-Of-Way Vacation of 237 Feet Along Ninth Street North

by James Coulter

Several residents raised concerns about how their own properties would be affected if 237 feet of public right-of-way along Ninth Street North is vacated.

At their regular meeting on Tues. July 7, 2026, Lake Wales city commissioners voted unanimously to approve the first reading of an ordinance to vacate a public right‑of‑way located east of Ninth Street North and north of a vacant City‑owned parcel. The Public Works Department requested the vacation for the 237‑foot segment, which connects directly to Ninth Street North.

Several residents opposed the request, saying the right‑of‑way has been eroding and damaging their properties. Lynn M. Evans, who lives on Chelsea Way, wrote in her objection that the ongoing erosion has encroached onto her yard, which sits directly behind the right‑of‑way.

“For more than ten years, the hill located within the right-of-way has experienced ongoing erosion,” she wrote. “In recent years, the erosion has accelerated significantly and has now encroached on my property. Some of the posts for the HOA fence behind my home have collapsed into the eroded area, and the slope continues to deteriorate.”

Because the erosion occurred while the City still controlled the right‑of‑way, she asked commissioners to delay the vacation until the area is stabilized or repaired, to make remediation a formal condition of approval, or to prohibit any transfer of the right‑of‑way to adjacent owners until the hazardous condition is corrected.

Another resident, David Roberts, asked during public comments who would be responsible for the property if the City vacates the right‑of‑way, and how the change would affect him and other members of the Homeowners Association. He also raised concerns shared by other HOA members about the City’s maintenance of the property, particularly given the ongoing erosion.

“I will politely say it [the property] fell between the loops, and they [the City] didn’t maintain it,” he said. “Over the last couple of days, the city has stepped up. Kudos to them on filling it, trying to do the right thing before this vacation is complete.”

Another resident, David Krawsek, noted that the vacant parcel once served as the site and access road for a pumping station that has since been removed. He said the City had been promising improvements since 2008 and only recently began addressing the erosion by filling the area with dirt delivered by dump trucks.

He also raised concerns about the sewer‑line easement that crosses both the vacant parcel and his property, as well as the fence separating the two. He recommended that the City grant ownership of the parcel to the adjacent residents and move the fence back eight feet, noting that neighbors have long maintained the area by mowing and cutting weeds.

“So we have been in limbo for a very long time trying to figure out how to resolve this [situation],” he said. “If you move our fence back eight feet, then it becomes part of Northpoint. We already have an easement that the property owners own, but you have the right of way to do any kind of repairs on the sewer system that’s there. That was in the contract when we purchased our home.”

City Attorney Albert Charles “Chuck” Galloway Jr. explained that the right‑of‑way would be split between two adjacent owners, the southern portion going to the HOA and the northern portion to the property owner to the north.

“Legally, what transpires is that half of the property would go from the owner to the south and the other half would go to the owner to the north,” he explained. “So, the Association would take half, and Chris Davey [the adjacent property owner] would take half in this vacated portion.”

City Manager James Slaton then added that the next step following the vacation would be to classify the surplus and authorize it for sale, explaining that “somebody wants to vacate it so it can be sold and repaired.”

The post Residents Raise Concerns About Proposed Right-Of-Way Vacation of 237 Feet Along Ninth Street North first appeared on Lake Wales Daily News.

Zoning and Future Land‑Use Changes Approved for Hunts Bros Road and Hickory Ridge

Allison — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 12:54:52 +0000

Zoning and Future Land‑Use Changes Approved for Hunts Bros Road and Hickory Ridge

by James Coulter

Two planned developments, totaling 164 acres and 7 acres, moved closer to adding new housing in Lake Wales after city commissioners approved changes to zoning and future land‑use designations.

At their regular meeting earlier this month, Lake Wales city commissioners voted unanimously to approve several ordinances involving annexation, zoning, and future land‑use changes for two planned residential developments.

The first set of ordinances concerned the Hunts Bros residential planned development permit (PDP), annexing 164 acres into the city limits and assigning the property a Medium Density future land‑use designation and Residential zoning.

The second set applied to the Hickory Ridge Subdivision, updating the future land use for 47 acres to Low-Density Residential and changing the zoning to Residential.

The Hunts Bros. development is planned for 164 acres east of Hunt Brothers Road, about a half‑mile south of State Road 60 and just south of Walmart.

The project includes a mix of housing types and uses: 366 single‑family lots, 80 townhomes, and 276 multifamily units, along with neighborhood parks and amenities, a mini‑storage facility, and a future commercial outparcel.

City commissioners approved the PDP on Tues., April 21, 2026. Located within the city’s utility service area, the property will be connected to municipal water and sewer.

The Hickory Ridge subdivision is planned for 47 acres west of Capps Road and will include 73 single‑family lots.

The property was annexed into the city limits in 2025. It will eventually be served by the municipal water system; however, because sewer service is not yet available for the area, the lots have been designed to use septic tanks in the interim.

Both the Hunts Bros and Hickory Ridge projects will add approximately 211 acres and 439 residential units within the city limits, making these developments a part of a broader trend of planned residential development within Lake Wales.

More than 15,000 new homes have been approved in the past several years, including large projects such as Hunt Club North and South, Jewel Ridge, Seasons at Mable Place, and Lakeside Landings. Much of this development is concentrated in the city’s southern and eastern corridors, where recent annexations have opened large tracts for new subdivisions.

At a previous city commission meeting, Growth Management Director Autumn Cochella stated that the City has approved 21,883 residential dwelling units over the past five to ten years; yet only about 6.5% of those units have actually been built.

Lake Wales’ recent wave of annexations, new construction, and residential growth has pushed the city to the second‑fastest growth rate in Polk County over the past year. According to figures from the Polk County Property Appraiser’s office, property valuations jumped by 20.56 percent and surpassed $1.5 billion, as reported by Lake Wales News.

The post Zoning and Future Land‑Use Changes Approved for Hunts Bros Road and Hickory Ridge first appeared on Lake Wales Daily News.

Lake Wales CRA Approves Agreements for Streetscape Projects and Walesbilt Hotel Development

Allison — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 22:57:41 +0000

Lake Wales CRA Approves Agreements for Streetscape Projects and Walesbilt Hotel Development

by James Coulter

The Walesbilt Hotel and several downtown streets are one step closer to being renovated now that the Lake Wales Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) has approved several agreements for streetscape and hotel development projects.

At their regular meeting earlier this month, the Lake Wales CRA voted unanimously to approve several agreements, addenda, and proposals regarding revitalization efforts for downtown streets and the historic hotel.

Two agenda items involved adjustments to the 1st Street Streetscape Project, which spans from W. Tillman Avenue to Stuart Avenue and from Crystal Avenue to Wiltshire Avenue.

The first was an addendum to the Chastain-Skillman/DCCM contract, expanding its scope of services. The updated design widens the travel lanes from 10 feet to 11 feet, a change that also affects the layout of parking spaces, planter widths, and potentially the placement and size of sidewalks. The fiscal impact of the amendment is $173,660.

The second item was an agreement with Catalyst Design Group for landscape architectural services. Because the wider travel lanes require a reconfiguration of the corridor, Catalyst will redesign the roadway hardscape, site furnishings, landscaping, and irrigation systems. This agreement carries a fiscal impact of $24,400.

Both items were necessary for the project to qualify for the U.S. Department of Transportation’s RAISE Grant. The city’s original application proposed a road diet, a design approach the grant program does not fund, making the lane-widening revisions essential for eligibility.

“Expanding the lane width sounds minor, but when you are engineering plans, there is a cascading effect, and this is the most efficient way to get that accomplished,” City Manager James Slaton explained.

Another agreement authorizes Colliers Project Leaders to provide project management services for the bid phase of the RAISE Grant Streetscape Project.

According to Assistant City Manager Deena Drumgo, Colliers will serve as “the primary representative for the City to manage the bid phase of the 1st Street, Central Avenue, Orange/Crystal Street, Lincoln Avenue, and A Street streetscapes from their current state of design through the completion of the design and bid phases.”

The redesign-phase services are expected to begin in August 2026 and conclude in December 2027. The agreement carries a total fiscal impact of $160,218, or $6,676 per month over 24 months.

Colliers was also approved for an agreement to provide project management services for two additional initiatives: the design phases of the Walesbilt Hotel Development Project and the design, bid, construction, and closeout phases of the Stuart Avenue Streetscape, which includes upgrades to the existing Care Center and the Peterson Meyer property. The total fiscal impact is $192,912.

Commissioner Carol Gillespie asked why the City would hire Colliers as a consultant when St. Louis Restoration is already involved in the hotel revitalization. City Manager James Slaton explained that Colliers will represent the City’s interests throughout the process.

“We want to make sure that, as long as we are hitting the milestones, they benefit us as the city,” he said. “Any of the projects they are associated with, they are here to protect the city, and the awards are to our benefit.”

1st Street in Downtown Lake Wales is undergoing a major multi‑million‑dollar streetscape redevelopment as part of the Lake Wales Connected plan. Improvements include wider sidewalks, a two‑way cycle track, new shade trees, rain gardens, and ADA‑compliant enhancements.

The Historic Walesbilt Hotel is also slated for extensive revitalization. Recently, the Lake Wales CRA entered into an interim agreement with Restoration St. Louis that provides up to $2 million for pre‑construction design and preparation work.

The post Lake Wales CRA Approves Agreements for Streetscape Projects and Walesbilt Hotel Development first appeared on Lake Wales Daily News.

Lake Wales Chamber Proposes Birth-to-Four Early Childhood Readiness Plan

Allison — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 14:19:17 +0000

Lake Wales Chamber Proposes Birth-to-Four Early Childhood Readiness Plan
by James Coulter

To prepare young people with the literacy skills needed for tomorrow’s workforce, several educational initiatives have been proposed by the Lake Wales Chamber of Commerce/Economic Development Council (EDC).

At their recent work session on Wed. July 1, 2026, Lake Wales city commissioners received a presentation from the Lake Wales Chamber/EDC outlining strategies for long‑term economic development, including efforts to cultivate a future workforce for prospective businesses.

Skip Alford, President and CEO of the Lake Wales Chamber/EDC, stressed the need to develop well‑prepared future workers and strong talent pipelines to attract new companies, arguing that potential industry cannot exist without potential employees.

“Just as important as bringing manufacturing and industry jobs to the present downtown, if we neglect our youth, all of that is going to be for nothing because we are setting an entire generation or two up for complete failure,” he said. “Every year of delay represents lost human potential, lost productivity, and lost return on investment.”

Alford outlined several initiatives aimed at preparing young people to become future employers and employees. One initiative was the Lake Wales Highland Moguls, a Lake Wales High School program designed to “develop the next generation of entrepreneurs, innovators, and business leaders through real‑world business experience.” He said the program will mentor and train students interested in entrepreneurship, working with local economics professors to identify and recruit promising candidates.

While high‑school training matters, Alford claimed the greater priority is supporting young children before they even enter kindergarten, describing early childhood development from birth to age four as “the most critical aspect of a child’s education.”

Alford noted that a child has already developed 90 percent of their brain capacity by age five. Because of this, education must begin well before school enrollment, and failing to do so sets children up for failure, he argued.

“If during those first five years, that capacity has been failed, altered, or received no education whatsoever, the kindergarten teachers are going to continue to inherit a human product that is not prepared and not ready,” he said. “We cannot continue to let the children of Lake Wales, even the youngest of the youngest, not have an opportunity to start learning as early as possible so they can have a decent or successful life.”

Commissioner Terri Miller asked how much time had gone into developing the early‑childhood education model. Alford replied that the initiative is now underway and that he will devote 25 to 30 percent of his time to building it. He noted that, because the program aligns with Superintendent Julie Conrad’s strategic vision, he waited for her plan to be approved before proceeding.

Commissioner Carol Gillespie asked why the Chamber, rather than the school board, was leading efforts to expand early‑childhood education. Alford explained that the school system does not serve children from birth to age four, leaving a gap that the Chamber is working to fill.

He added that improving childhood literacy is in the Chamber’s best interest, noting that a well‑educated population is essential for sustaining the economy. With the U.S. Southeast now accounting for 33 percent of global GDP and Florida becoming the nation’s largest state economy, further economic growth requires every eight-year-old to be reading proficiently by 2030.

“This is why early learning is critical,” he said. “If other departments aren’t tackling it, it will fall on business to address these and get these done.”

Commissioner Keith Thompson praised the EDC for addressing early‑childhood development and literacy, stressing the need to raise children who can not only read but also comprehend and understand what they read to become strong employees and employers.

“That time is really critical for a child to learn,” he said. “We kind of start them off at five in the education sense, and they are not ready. So there is not enough going on, and there needs to be more going on. So, I’m really proud of Lake Wales.”

The post Lake Wales Chamber Proposes Birth-to-Four Early Childhood Readiness Plan first appeared on Lake Wales Daily News.

$50,000 Facade Grant Awarded for Friedlander Department Store Renovation

Allison — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 14:43:54 +0000

$50,000 Facade Grant Awarded for Friedlander Department Store Renovation
by James Coulter

First, it was a department store. Then, a hardware store. Today, it sits vacant in downtown Lake Wales. Soon, however, the art déco-style building on East Park Avenue will begin a new chapter after receiving a $50,000 façade grant to help restore its historic exterior.

At their regular meeting on Wed. July 1, the Lake Wales Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) board members voted unanimously to approve awarding a façade grant of up to $50,000 to a local historic building, whose façade improvement project exceeds $100,000 in eligible expenditures.

Funding will be provided through the Historic Restoration Façade Grant Program, whose mission is “providing a financial incentive to owners located within the Downtown Historic Overlay District to restore, preserve, and encourage the reuse of downtown’s historic resources, all of which will stimulate investment and raise property values. “

Located at 101 East Park Avenue, the structure was originally built in 1926 as a one‑story commercial building and later expanded to two stories in 1936. It sits on three lots that were purchased by Harry Friedlander in 1924.

The building served as the location of The Friedlander Department Store for seventy years—making it one of the longest-running family-owned businesses in Lake Wales—until closing its doors in 1995. It later became home to the True Value Hardware store, which operated there until 2019. The building has remained vacant since then.

Now, the building will be renovated by its current owner, Michael Andoniades, a developer known for restoring several historic St. Petersburg landmarks, including the Hollander, the Avalon, and the Mary Jean hotels.

The proposed renovation calls for restoring the building’s historic façade with a fresh coat of paint, as well as replacing the awning, refinishing the wooden floors, updating the windows, and converting the upper door into a decorative feature.

Ronni Wood, Assistant Director of the Lake Wales CRA, praised the project as a model of economic development and historic preservation. She added that, as one of the city’s signature buildings, its restoration will complement the planned revival of the nearby Historic Walesbilt Hotel.

“This project truly is an economic development project within the context of historic preservation,” she said. “This is going to be a real first hook and opportunity to get [visitors] out of the hotel and into our downtown.”

City Manager James Slatton also praised the project for addressing a persistent challenge downtown: the shortage of turn‑key commercial space. He noted that many prospective business owners have passed on setting up shop in the area because they cannot afford to renovate buildings and launch a business at the same time.

“They don’t have the capital most of the time to buy the buildings and restore buildings that someone else owns,” he explained. “Their money goes into sustaining their businesses, their inventory, their employment. So we lose a lot of money because we don’t have buildings for them to move into, quite honestly.”

Commissioner Carol Gillespie questioned whether the renovation would attract a tenant, asking how officials could be confident the space would be occupied once the work is complete.

Jason Thoma, Managing Partner at Boros Ventures, said the city and his company will work together to attract prospective tenants by offering competitive rental rates, participating in community events to build interest, and assisting with tenant buildouts.

Commissioner Terri Miller voiced firm support for the project, noting that a recent visit to downtown St. Petersburg, where she saw several restored historic buildings firsthand, boosted her confidence in the renovation.

Commissioner Keith Thompson commended the project as an exemplar of the public-private partnerships he believes are necessary to advance downtown revitalization efforts, especially with the upcoming historic hotel restoration.

“What we have seen here has been a heavy lift on the operating side of things, where you have a potential business owner with a great business plan, but then they are asked to rebuild the building at their cost,” he said. “So you have to choose between saving capital for operating to open the doors, or fixing up a building. I don’t think it has been a viable plan for quite some time, and I love everything about this.”

The post $50,000 Facade Grant Awarded for Friedlander Department Store Renovation first appeared on Lake Wales Daily News.

County Commits Nearly $1.7 Million Toward New Caloosa Lake Fire Station Along ABC RD

Allison — Thu, 09 Jul 2026 14:40:50 +0000

County Commits Nearly $1.7 Million Toward New Caloosa Lake Fire Station Along ABC RD

by James Coulter

Lake Wales will soon have a new fire station, built from a prototype that has become an industry standard, after the county approved the project’s guaranteed maximum price (GMP) for construction services.

At their regular meeting on Tues. June 16, 2026, the Polk County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) voted unanimously to approve a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) addendum with Miller Construction Management, Inc. for the construction of the Caloosa Lake Fire Rescue Station 21.

Polk BoCC

To fund the project, $1,693,204 will be transferred from the Emergency Medical Millage Fund Reserve for Future Capital Expansion. With total construction costs estimated at $4,696,968, the project will require a Capital Improvement Program (CIP) amendment.

The fire station is one of four stations planned for the county. The other three projects include:

Nalcrest Fire Rescue Station (Nalcrest) — currently on hold until a water plant is constructed near the site.
Watkins Road Fire Rescue Station (Haines City) — completed construction in June 2024.
Bradley Junction Fire Rescue Station (Bradley) — previously approved with Caloosa for pre-construction services.

The station’s floor plan is based on a prototype developed by the Lunz Group. According to the group’s website, the design was intended for replication “at multiple sites across the County with only small tweaks,” an approach that “reduced design fees” and “demonstrated fiscal responsibility.”

The core prototype features a dual-bay design with apparatus bays engineered for future expansion, along with clearly defined decontamination zones physically separated from residential areas. This separation helps mitigate the spread of carcinogens, contaminants, and other hazardous exposures within the facility.

The BoCC commissioned the prototype design in 2019, approved it in 2020, and brought it to fruition in 2021 through the design and construction of the Kathleen Fire Rescue Station in Lakeland.

This design was developed to help meet the growing demand for services driven by population growth. According to the Lunz Group website, the Lakeland–Winter Haven metropolitan area experienced the second-highest population growth rate in the United States between 2019 and 2020, increasing by 2.7 percent.

Commissioner Mike Scott praised the construction of the new fire stations, highlighting the prototype’s design, which he said has become “almost industry-leading.” The new facilities will not only enhance safety for residents but also help control future costs by avoiding greater expenses down the road. Scott noted that building the stations now would be “less than what we would have to spend in the future” as construction costs continue to rise.

“So, hats off to the county for looking at a program perspective of implementing this [prototype] successfully, not only managing how we spend our money but also how effective and efficient we are with it as well,” he said.

Polk BoCC

The post County Commits Nearly $1.7 Million Toward New Caloosa Lake Fire Station Along ABC RD first appeared on Lake Wales Daily News.

Enhanced Maintenance Standards Given Preliminary Approval by City Commission

Allison — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 14:46:49 +0000

Enhanced Maintenance Standards Given Preliminary Approval by City Commission
by James Coulter

Residents can soon say “goodbye” to vacant lots, empty storefronts, and broken signs and “hello” to a newer, more beautiful downtown area now that city commissioners have given preliminary approval to enhanced maintenance standards.

At their regular meeting on Tues. June 16, 2026, the Lake Wales City Commission voted unanimously to approve the first reading of an ordinance to establish enhanced maintenance standards for the city’s Downtown Historic Overlay District.

These standards intend to “safeguard against blight; preserve historic resources and property values and community standards, and to assist in the continued revitalization of downtown, to attract new businesses; and to promote the public interest in continued development,” according to Ronni Wood, Assistant CRA Director.

Among the new guidelines, downtown storefronts, businesses, and other buildings are prohibited from:

City of Lake Wales

allowing exterior surfaces to show peeling, flaking, or chipping paint, or any other “visible degradation of materials.”
displaying signage that is “deteriorated, damaged, or incomplete.”
using paper, cardboard, or similar materials to cover windows or storefront openings “except as a temporary condition.”
permitting awnings, canopies, or other “weather protection elements” to become torn, frayed, or otherwise deteriorated.
removing or neglecting “architectural features and elements forming part of a building facade,” including cornices, molding, and other decorative details, or allowing them to be damaged or “left in a state of disrepair.”
failing to remove or paint over graffiti within 24 hours.
allowing sidewalks, walkways, or other site surfaces to become obstructed by “excessive accumulation of dirt, residue, grease, [or] organic growth.”
allowing vacant properties to show “deterioration, damage, or neglect,” rather than keeping them “secure, consistent, and well‑maintained.”

These standards help maintain the appearance of the downtown area, especially with the ongoing revitalization efforts through the Lake Wales Connected and Lake Wales Envisioned plans.

Among the city’s top priorities is the Historic Walesbilt Hotel. Located at 115 N. First Street, the 10-story landmark was recently returned to city ownership following a lengthy legal battle.

To advance the long-awaited renovation, the Lake Wales Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) approved a $2 million interim agreement covering design, planning, and preconstruction services for the project.

To better complement these renovation projects, commissioners have held extensive discussions on a proposed ordinance to address vacant buildings and improve downtown upkeep.

An earlier draft of the ordinance would have required owners of downtown storefronts that remained vacant for a specified period to register those properties with the city. However, that provision was later removed from the proposal.

Commissioner Carol Gillespie noted how the ordinance began as an effort to address property vacancies but expanded into a comprehensive initiative designed to enhance the maintenance of downtown storefronts and other structures.

“We generally agreed that the problem was not just the vacancies [but that] the problem was the maintenance, the condition of these buildings [because] they are empty, they are not being well-kept up,” she said. “There’s a feeling in the downtown area that’s particularly important because of the foot traffic, and the fact that people see this downtown and judge the city by it. So that’s why I think we feel enhanced maintenance standards are an appropriate approach to take to this problem, and I am in favor of it.”

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73-Lot Hickory Ridge Subdivision Receives Preliminary Approval for Zoning and Land Use Change

Allison — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 12:55:32 +0000

73-Lot Hickory Ridge Subdivision Receives Preliminary Approval for Zoning and Land Use Change

by James Coulter

Nearly 73 single-family homes are one step closer to being built in a new Lake Wales subdivision after city commissioners approved changes to the property’s zoning and future land-use designation.

At their regular meeting on Tues. June 16, 2026, the Lake Wales City Commission voted unanimously to approve the first reading of two ordinances related to the proposed Hickory Ridge subdivision west of the city.

Both ordinances would change the subject property’s future land use designation to Low-Density Residential and its zoning designation to Residential to accommodate the proposed subdivision.

Located west of Capps Road, the proposed Hickory Ridge subdivision will develop approximately 47 acres into a 73-lot single-family residential neighborhood.

In August 2021, Garden Street Communities sought annexation of the property into the city to extend municipal water service to the development. The property has since been annexed and become contiguous to the city limits in July 2025.

City planning staff recommended approval of the changes, finding them to be “compatible with the platted neighborhood and surrounding area” and “consistent with the City’s Comprehensive Plan and Land Use Regulations,” wrote Growth Management Director Autumn Cochella.

Both the future land use and zoning designations are being updated to accommodate the project, bringing the property into compliance with city planning regulations following annexation.

The Low-Density Residential future land use designation allows traditional single-family neighborhoods at a density of up to five homes per acre. Meanwhile, the Residential zoning designation regulates lot sizes, setbacks, and building types.

Although the subdivision’s lots will be connected to the city’s water system, they have been designed to use septic tanks because sewer service is not yet available to the project, Cochella wrote.

Here are a few other items that were reviewed and approved at this week’s city commission meeting:

Library Impact Fees. The first reading of an ordinance was approved unanimously, amending the definition of “infrastructure” to include library collection materials such as books and other items. Previously, the city’s code did not classify library collection materials as infrastructure, preventing library impact fees from being used to purchase books and other collection items.

Non-ad valorem assessment. Commissioners unanimously approved the first reading of an ordinance establishing a uniform process for collecting non-ad valorem special assessments associated with service liens.

This method is intended “to collect service liens that are the result of services provided by the City to clean properties, repair or demolish buildings and the like, such services being a special benefit to the property owner,” according to Fany Lozano, Code Compliance Administrator.

Hunts Brothers Complex lighting. Commissioners unanimously approved the consent agenda, which included $200,000 in funding for lighting improvements at the Hunt Brothers Complex. The project will be funded through a Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program (FRDAP) grant, with the city providing matching funds.

The post 73-Lot Hickory Ridge Subdivision Receives Preliminary Approval for Zoning and Land Use Change first appeared on Lake Wales Daily News.

Polk County Expands Environmental Land Corridor With Lake Wales Property Acquisition

Allison — Wed, 27 May 2026 15:41:55 +0000

On May 19, commissioners approved an agreement with La Cala, LLC., for to acquisition of approximately 215 acres along the south side of Camp Mack Road which includes a lake front stretch along Lake Rosalie in Lake Wales.

The property was previously reviewed, evaluated and approved by the Polk County Conservation Land Acquisition Selection Advisory Committee (CLASAC) in October 2024 as part of Polk County’s continued efforts to expand, restore and preserve environmental lands corridors.

The land also falls within the Avon Park Air Force Range Encroachment Buffer Zone, making Polk County eligible for $1.3 million in U.S. Air Force grant reimbursement funding.

The total cost for the agreement is not expected to exceed $2,996,250.
To learn more, visit: https://www.polk-county.tv/internetchannel/show/7775?seekto=389&channel=1

Info and graphic provided by Polk County Government Florida

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