LAKELAND — County commissioners will have their first vote today on a proposed development of up to 117 homes just north of Interstate 4 in a portion of the Green Swamp.
The development plans have received opposition from nearly two dozen nearby residents who have emailed or written county and state officials about environmental and traffic concerns.
"As a local resident, I appreciate the freedom and quiet that characterizes our Orangedale community," resident Mark Bracy wrote to county and state officials. "A development as dense as the one proposed is out of character with the surrounding area, and it is for these reasons I ask for the board to vote against this proposal."
The 39 acres sit on Old Polk City Road east of Moore Road.
County commissioners will hear a proposal to change the land-development code from residential suburban to residential low in the Remington Trace subdivision. The proposed policy would allow for three units per acre.
If approved, the application by the owner, Southland Capital Land Trust, will be sent to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity for review. The application will come back to the County Commission on June 19 with comments from state officials.
County commissioners would then make a final vote that day.
The plan to develop has received unanimous approval by the Polk County Planning Commission.
But during an agenda study review Friday, County Commissioner John Hall expressed reservations about building in a flood-prone area.
"If we approve, are we approving another case like Itchepackesassa in a flood plain," Hall said. Homes in the Itchepackesassa Creek area are prone to flooding.
Chanda Bennett, the county's comprehensive planning administrator, said the proposed development meets all the tests.
She described it Friday as an area that will face growth issues in the future.
Residents have said the development would increase traffic, damage the Green Swamp and its entrance would be located on a dangerous curve of Old Polk City Road.
“Developing a maximum density, multifamily, short-term rental community abutting the Green Swamp Conservation Core area, even if technically permissible, ignores the environmental and hydrologic goals of the Green Swamp designation,” wrote Kathy Lichwa, a property owner in the area.
Residents will have the opportunity to speak to commissioners at 1:30 p.m. today in the county administration building in Bartow.
John Chambliss can be reached at john.chambliss@theledger.com or 863-802-7588.