Commissioners will have one of three options Monday: to approve the development, to approve it with conditions, or deny it.
City Attorney Palmer Davis warned failure to approve the development legally is not the same as denying the project.
Davis said in this “quasi-judicial’ hearing, the developer and property owner, Publix Supermarkets, have to first prove the proposed apartment complex is compatible with the existing neighborhood.
In a June 1 letter to the city, Tampa-based lawyer S. Elise Batsel said the developer has proved compatibility according to Lakeland’s own employees.
Commission McLeod and Mayor Mutz voted for the apartments all the rest of the commissioners voted no.
I take over two hours to get the denial.
In denying the development, commissioners cited a drastically increased square footage over a previously approved project and also discussed increased traffic impacts as seen in increased transportation impact fees for the apartment project.
The developer’s staff was upset that the commissioners allowed one person to video tape and play her comments.
Linda Bagley Wiggs video ……
Why do people hate progress? Winter Haven will pass by Lakeland in a few years.