The line on the right is Lk Miriam Dr. This is the plan for the 244, 6 building high-density housing proposed that City Commissioners will vote to approve in March. First meeting March 7 and next March 21. By the way, the road in the middle of the apartment complex is the access road from Lk Miriam to Publix Center.
LISTEN to The City Commission will also discuss the case at their agenda study meeting on March 4th. You can tune in to watch the agenda study here (I believe it starts at 8:30 am):
https://www.lakelandgov.net/departments/communications/lakelandgov-tv/
SHOW UP: March 21st for the public meeting. The March 7th meeting is only setting the public hearing, therefore there is no public comment at this meeting. If the schedule continues on this track the public hearing should be on March 21st. You can keep up with the schedule as the City Clerk posts the City Commission agenda’s on this page:
https://www.lakelandgov.net/departments/city-clerk/city-commission-agendas/
Background: Publix is selling approximately 12 acres of “Green Space” attached to Lake Miriam Plaza to a developer of apartments. The developer needs a zoning change to build 244 apartments.
City of Lakeland Planning & Zoning has asserted that by building apartments next to a shopping center that traffic will be reduced because of “internal walking and use of the shopping center”
The Green Space in question has been dormant since the mining operation before Publix developed the original shopping center in 1973.
The FIX LAKE MIRIAM committee agrees that landowners have the right to use their property as they see fit, as long as it complies with local ordinances and zoning. The City and County agree that developers need to pay assessment fees in line with “fixing” any traffic or infrastructure required for their development.
Whereas the undersigned agree to the following:
- Publix is a good corporate citizen.
- Lake Miriam Drive is a failing road currently rated E several years ago.
- The Lake Miriam intersection of South Florida Avenue has been recognized as the most dangerous intersection in Lakeland
- There have been multiple traffic fatalities on this road, including a student at Lakeland Highlands Middle School.
- Pipkin Road is currently undergoing a 17-month expansion project which will put unknown quantities of traffic on Lake Miriam Drive.
- The City of Lakeland is willing to invest millions of dollars in a “road diet” on South Florida Avenue to inhibit road traffic and need to do the same on Lake Miriam
- Some of the assumptions around building on this property limiting local traffic are preposterous.
- If the last 25 years are any indication, it appears that The City of Lakeland and Polk County are both guilty of punting the traffic problem on Lake Miriam Drive down the road and not addressing it.
- Developers are responsible for reasonable impact fees.
- The area in question has been a green space since 1973. Perhaps it should remain a green space and turn into a park for the area.
Residents will not “walk” to Publix instead of drive. Ridiculous comment. Make that area a park & common ground for locals who have already committed to living here in the neighborhood
Most lights in Lakeland you have to wait two or three times for the light to change in order to get through. Our roads can’t handle the traffic.