Located off Memorial Boulevard (near the eastern edge of Lakeland’s city limits), Robinson’s property became a flashpoint for a debate over how to handle homelessness in Polk County.
The Mission: A Private Haven
Starting several years ago, Robinson began allowing individuals experiencing homelessness to set up camp on his land. What began as a small gesture grew into a community of people living in tents, RVs, and makeshift structures.
- The Intent: Robinson has consistently stated that his goal is to provide a safe space for people who have nowhere else to go, often expressing that he couldn’t “turn his back” on those in need.
- The Residents: At its peak, the property housed dozens of people who had formed a semi-organized community, looking out for one another in an area where affordable housing is increasingly scarce.
Volunteers plan to remove trash and debris, improve conditions on the property, and work toward bringing it into compliance.
“In order to even move forward with the fines, we have to try to fix what’s going on there now,” said Carly Sabato, one of the volunteers helping lead the effort.
Organizers say the work is about more than code enforcement: it’s about preventing a larger problem.
“I think it’s astronomical,” Carrano said of homelessness in Lakeland. “We do not have the beds, we do not have the infrastructure to be able to house all these people.”
He says if Robinson’s property is shut down, the people living there won’t simply disappear.
“Without that, all those people are going to be strewn out into the streets,” Carrano said.
The group hopes that by bringing the property up to code, they can open the door to a conversation with Polk County about reducing or restructuring the fines.
The Cosmo Project says it is still seeking volunteers and donations to help with the cleanup and offset the cost of fines. You can help the nonprofit at this link.
The Conflict: Code Enforcement & Safety
While Robinson saw a mission of mercy, Polk County Code Enforcement saw a mounting public health and safety crisis. The core issues cited by the county included:
- Zoning Violations: The property is zoned for industrial use, which strictly prohibits residential living (including tents and RVs).
- Health Hazards: Officials identified concerns regarding “open sewage,” lack of proper sanitation, and an open septic tank.
- Accumulation of Debris: The presence of abandoned vehicles and junk led to the property being declared a public nuisance.
The Legal Battle
For the past few years, the situation has been caught in a cycle of inspections and fines:
- Daily Fines: Robinson has been hit with significant fines, sometimes reaching thousands of dollars, as the county pressured him to clear the residents and the debris.
- The “Good Neighbor” Debate: County officials have acknowledged Robinson’s good intentions but maintained that “helping” cannot come at the cost of safety standards and local ordinances. They argue that there are established social services and shelters that residents should be directed toward instead.
Current Status
As of late 2025 and early 2026, the situation remains a stalemate. Robinson has occasionally worked with the county to remove some debris, but the fundamental issue—the people living there—remains unresolved. Robinson has indicated in the past that while he might eventually have to ask people to leave to comply with the law, he is reluctant to displace them without a viable alternative for their housing.
His story has become a symbol for many in Lakeland of the larger housing crisis, highlighting the gap between what the law allows and what a community’s most vulnerable residents actually need.