Millage rate increase? A sales-tax hike that must be approved in a referendum? Increasing impact fees, or changing how they are used? A bond? Better coordination with regional organizations to get more bang for leveraged dollars? All are on tap as the city of Lakeland ponders a congested traffic grid addled by at least $200 […]
Author Archives: John Haughey
Posted inCity Hall, Public Safety
Public Safety Budget Requests Include New Fire Station, 31 More Police Officers
The Lakeland Fire Department wants $7.2 million to build a new fire station on U.S. Highway 98 north of I-4 and the Lakeland Police Department is seeking about $5.3 million to hire 31 new police officers over the next three years.
Posted inCity Hall
Lakeland Strategic Planning Session Kicks Off Wednesday at RP Funding Center
Lakeland city commissioners convene their annual strategic planning session Wednesday in the Hollingsworth Room of the RP Funding Center where they will discuss an array of topics, including infrastructure, economic development and affordable housing.
Posted inEnvironment, Recreation
Lake Crago Winter Algae Bloom Stirs Fears of Long Summer Ahead
It’s been a relatively mild winter, even by Florida standards, and warm, sunny days with temperatures in the low 90s are forecast for Central Florida in the coming week. But already one of Lakeland’s 37 named lakes is showing signs of heat stress with the Florida Department of Health in Polk County issuing a health […]
Posted inCity Hall, Transportation
Decade-Old State Law Curtails City’s Capacity to Say ‘No’ to Some Developments
Lakeland city commissioners are under fire from constituents for approving new development in areas where roads are already congested, allowing new people and businesses to crowd into the city before supporting infrastructure is built or even planned.
Posted inActivism, City Hall
Sandpiper Residents Stop $318K Sidewalk Plan in Its Tracks
More than $4.3 million in concrete will be laid down for sidewalks in Lakeland this year but not a penny more will be spent on one planned project after residents convinced city commissioners Monday there is overwhelming opposition to installing sidewalks along Sandpiper Drive.
Posted inCity Hall, Neighborhoods
Several Proposals Would Rezone Commercial Land to Residential
Several current land-use decisions facing the city of Lakeland involve turning property that was once intended for commercial uses into single-family or apartment communities. Planners say this both staves off future traffic impacts on already congested roads and boosts workforce housing that employers say is needed to sustain economic development.
Posted inBusiness, City Hall
City Ponders Impact Fee Discounts in Innovation District Near Florida Poly
The Lakeland City Commission will be asked Monday to amend the city’s impact fee structure to allow 100% discounts for high-wage “target” businesses that move into a proposed 4,484-acre “innovation district” in the northeast reaches of the city near Florida Polytechnic University. FOLLOWUP: The proposal was approved 6-0. Commissioner Sara Roberts McCarley was absent from […]
Posted inCity Hall, Neighborhoods
City Gets Pledge from Marijuana Producer to Control Odors
The Lakeland Planning & Zoning Board Tuesday approved Revolution Global’s plan to operate a medical marijuana production plant in a 109,000-square-foot warehouse on a 14.5-acre parcel in an industrial park near Carillion Lakes. It turns out city approval wasn’t really needed.
Posted inCity Hall, Neighborhoods
Planning Board Approves Lake Miriam Apartments; Next Stop: City Commission
The Lakeland Planning & Zoning Board today approved a controversial zoning change that will allow a proposed 244-unit apartment complex to be built next to Lake Miriam Square Shopping Center. Without the zoning change, 40,000 square feet of additional commercial space could be built on the currently vacant between the shopping center and Lake Miriam […]