by James Coulter
Along Kissimmee Avenue stands a two-story quadplex. The structure was built in compliance with regulations at the time, but as regulations have changed since then, the structure is considered “nonconforming.” It now stands vacant and has become a “blighted property” due to wear and tear.
Fortunately, such “nonconforming” structures and lots will now be able to be better facilitated now that Lake Wales city commissioners have approved an ordinance amending the city code.
At their regular meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024, Lake Wales city commissioners voted unanimously to approve the second reading of an ordinance amending the city code to permit structures and lotswith “nonconforming uses.”
The amended city code, according to the city agenda memo, will “allow residential uses, lots, and structures to keep their nonconforming conditions within the Core Improvement Area and Community Redevelopment Areas.”
These amendments will also exempt these nonconforming structures and lots “from losing their legal nonconformity after the use has been discontinued or in case the structure is damaged more than 50 percent of its just market value.”
These amendments to the city code were proposed to help facilitate the redevelopment of “vacant and blighted residential properties” whose redevelopment efforts were potentially obstructed due to existing regulations.
The Planning and Zoning Board recommended these city code amendments on Oct. 22, 2024. The City Commission voted to approve the ordinance’s first reading on November 19, 2024.
