POLK COUNTY, Fla. — There’s one factor everybody agrees on. Growing a 1,287-acre piece of land on the western fringe of Lake Wales will assist drastically change the agricultural metropolis.
Nonetheless, the influence of that change is the supply of fierce debate.
Some consider the transformation will enhance the agricultural metropolis. Others consider it’s going to harm it.
WATCH: Lake Wales leaders take first vote to approve massive 2,950 dwelling growth
Lake Wales leaders take first vote to approve massive 2,950 dwelling growth
Each colleges of thought have been current at a Tuesday night time assembly of the Lake Wales Metropolis Fee, as commissioners thought-about the plan for the land, which is positioned simply west of present metropolis limits on the south facet of State Highway 60.
A growth group desires to rework the land, which is at the moment used for agriculture, right into a venture known as Stoneridge. The event will embody 2,900 houses, area for retailers and eating places, and industrial area for future job-providers.
The proposal would see the land annexed into the Metropolis of Lake Wales. The event might home shut to eight,000 individuals.
“There are numerous considerations,” mentioned Catherine Worth.
Folks like Worth really feel the event will remodel town for the more severe with the potential for much less wildlife habitat, a much bigger pressure on town’s restricted water provide, and extra site visitors.
“We wouldn’t have good roads for dealing with the sort of site visitors we’re seeing in our city proper now,” Worth mentioned.
Nonetheless, others see the event as the following step towards remodeling Lake Wales from a bed room neighborhood for larger cities like Lakeland or Orlando into one thing extra substantial. They are saying the event may even convey town better-paying jobs.
“Crucial financial growth technique is an efficient housing technique,” mentioned Shelton Rice, an lawyer for the event group “Business wants entry to staff. Workers want entry to fascinating inexpensive housing.”
Within the Tuesday assembly, the latter faculty of thought prevailed. Commissioners permitted the annexation and grasp plan in two 4-to-1 votes.
The proposal will want a second studying at a future assembly to change into official.
