After more than an hour of passionate debate, Lakeland commissioners voted 5-2 to deny the use permit that would have allowed a former chapel to be transformed into a Public House (bar).
Commissioner Samuel Simmons led the motion to deny Lakeland businessman Stewart Simm, former owner of The Federal Bar, a conditional use permit needed open up a special events venue — initially dubbed The Chapel at 417 N. Massachusetts Ave.
Quickly Simm gained a second and support from Commissioner Sara Roberts McCarley.
“This conditional use. It’s not allowed. Period. End of story,” McCarley said.
Commissioners Mike Musick and Bill Read voted against denying the business permit.
Gregory Fancelli, a Lakeland developer who owns the property, said the city’s denial is not necessarily the end of the issue, as he will continue to work amicably to address some of the issues raised Tuesday morning.
“There is no compatibility issue,” Fancelli said.