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<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nAgainst the Grain\u2026\u2026..Wedgewood<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Monday morning, I cast the lone \u201cNO\u201d vote on the Wedgewood Estates item.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let me first say this: I respect my fellow commissioners and understand the position they took. These decisions are not easy, and everyone on that dais cares deeply about Lakeland and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But my responsibility is to vote the way I believe best serves the people I represent, even when that means standing alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This vote was not about opposing growth, and it certainly was not about attacking development rights. Much of this project had already been approved previously. I was glad to see reductions in density, added acreage for public safety purposes, and efforts made to address concerns raised by residents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, my vote came down to one simple issue: TRAFFIC and INFRASTRUCTURE.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I do not believe a 2022 traffic study should continue being used to justify what could become a 2032 buildout without updated, real-world TRAFFIC data. The corridor is already heavily impacted today, and residents made it very clear they are concerned about congestion, safety, and access in and out of their neighborhoods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I also continue to have concerns regarding drainage and stormwater impacts affecting pre-existing homes in the area. Many residents feel the property has not maintained the natural drainage conditions that existed when much of the land operated as a golf course. Those concerns deserve to be heard and taken seriously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I understand Florida law, including the Bert J. Harris Act and proportionate fair-share requirements, gives property owners significant rights and limits how far local governments can go in restricting development or requiring improvements beyond a project\u2019s direct impact. Those are realities we must work within.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But while the law may limit certain actions toward a developer, it does not remove our responsibility as a city to ensure INFRASTRUCTURE keeps pace with growth and that residents can safely and reasonably move throughout their community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That matters to me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was proud to campaign on and help continue pushing for Fire Station 8 because public safety in North Lakeland matters deeply to me. Better response times matter. But it is also fair to ask: once first responders are on the road, how do we ensure they can efficiently get through increasingly congested corridors?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Growth is coming. We all know that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But I believe our citizens deserve updated TRAFFIC analysis, honest conversations, and INFRASTRUCTURE planning rooted in today\u2019s realities \u2014 not just projections on paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Leadership is not always about going along.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sometimes leadership means asking harder questions and being willing to cast the difficult vote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whether people agree with me or not, I will continue doing my homework, listening to residents, and fighting for smart growth and responsible INFRASTRUCTURE for the people of Lakeland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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