By James Coulter
More than 500 acres of land, located west of the City of Lake Wales, is being considered for a massive mixed-use development to serve as a “gateway” to Lake Wales.
At their workshop on Wed. Nov. 13, 2024, Lake Wales city commissioners considered three ordinances about 558 acres of land located at the western edge of the city and contiguous to the incorporated City limits.
If approved, these three ordinances would annex the land into the city limits, amend its future land use designation to City Mixed Use (PMU), and amend its zoning designation to Planned Development Mixed Use (PDMU).
The land in question, comprising 26 subject properties, is located west of the city, 12 miles east of Bartow, north of SR 60, and, according to the city agenda memo, “directly adjacent to the City of Lake Wales jurisdiction boundary.”
As the memo states, these properties “have been assembled to accommodate a high-quality, mixed-use development that respects the history and character of Lake Wales while creating a desirable environment to live, work, and shop.”
The proposed project will include an eclectic mix of commercial and residential uses, which will include a variety of residential units from twin villas and townhouses to cottages and multi-family units. As such, this project, according to the memo, will offer a “high-quality environment for living, working, or visiting.”
These ordinances will be considered at the next regular commission meeting on Tues. Nov. 19, 2024, at 6 PM at Lake Wales City Hall.
The meeting is open to the public.
