[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6293671,"mediaKeyId","2522976-7e0baf52c9973d4fba30b16ed65f6795","parentId",2522976,"title","Planning board delays decision on Rec Room 'barcade' expansion after neighbors raise noise and policing concerns","audioSeconds",3317,"startMs",482000,"endMs",3799000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2522976-7e0baf52c9973d4fba30b16ed65f6795&start=482&end=3799","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2522976-7e0baf52c9973d4fba30b16ed65f6795/thumbnail_482000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6293671/Lakeland-City/Polk-County/Florida/Planning-board-delays-decision-on-Rec-Room-barcade-expansion-after-neighbors-raise-noise-and-policing-concerns","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6293671-27693481b007db58cc6722b6d0455cb0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771195584&Signature=Ch3V7iZFUzdmQQAu~a4EoiRFGARc2eqfyfzvLLujBQbuSbzL5hog-x~68KZE9upKvERsUnZhzCm3zstas8HAGoyC1sKCq6LhI1grvSbsGzV6NZi~vr1pWyfFdVfaDyRyNfrieIiJ~Vmq2lHadvC8G~oN4ihKLLJc0lDW8bLzL8rYExwdOGw9XPoGmMKVzWBjQ-RESRDP1BmmunvnigZOkybBt8o7dGphd2TupKgO6OBMLUZa2TgIOWYUFnJcuH9hGjuOmbQIL9z1JsSD5RofurkdHWs8ZvpTGMAKZyA9AIe4us7AmPcrtAHY8sHNvsHvOh5medLJ3Nct7~NnD4QdTQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Lakeland, FL ","date","2025-01-22T00:00:00Z","article","The Lakeland Planning and Zoning Board on Jan. 22 continued consideration of a major modification that would expand the Rec Room bar-and-arcade at 202 North Massachusetts Avenue downtown, citing outstanding questions about noise impacts, police service records and the parking garage adjacent to the site. The board set the continuation for its Feb. 18 meeting.

Todd Vargo, senior planner with Community and Economic Development, presented the request for a major modification of an existing conditional use to expand the Rec Room into an additional roughly 3,000 square feet of the building, bringing the operation’s total footprint and assembly areas to approximately 4,000 square feet after expansion. Vargo reviewed land-development-code criteria the board must consider for bars and similar uses, and noted the Lakeland Downtown Development Authority provided a unanimous letter of support on Aug. 15, 2024.

Vargo told the board that, for a two-year window covering December 2022 to December 2024, the Rec Room had 62 service entries in the city’s records — the most among downtown establishments during the reviewed period — with categories listed in the staff packet including community service, unconfirmed emergencies, suspicious persons, trespass/unwanted guests, police service and disturbances. He also circulated two resident letters from occupants of the Lakeland Lofts condominiums expressing concerns about late-night noise, fights, open containers, public urination in the adjacent parking garage and inadequate security.

Con O'Leary, the Rec Room managing partner, described the expansion as primarily allowing larger-format amusements — he cited duckpin bowling as an example — rather than a change in the business character or a straightforward capacity increase. O'Leary said expanded areas would still close at 2 a.m. and that the business runs door security (21-and-up controls after 9 p.m.), and that Rec Room has removed live and amplified outdoor music from future operations. “Duckpin bowling is a kind of an abbreviated actual bowling lane… If we do 3 of those lanes, a lot of that square footage will be eaten up,” O'Leary said, explaining the games would occupy much of the new interior space.

Resident Joseph D’Atavio, representing the Lofts Condominium Association, described repeated late-night disturbances and sanitation issues in the nearby parking garage and urged the board to require the Rec Room to resolve existing problems before approving expansion. “We have fights, loud noise, open containers, underage drinking, parking ramp overlooking the Rec Room… Public urination is really common,” D’Atavio said. Property owner Corey Petcoff, who owns the building that houses the Rec Room, urged the board not to stifle downtown growth and said he has worked closely with Lakeland police and downtown stakeholders.

Board members asked staff for clarifications including how the Lakeland Police Department categorizes “community service” entries (staff said many are self-initiated officer activities such as foot or bike patrols and not necessarily calls from private citizens) and whether the outdoor area referenced in plans would be controlled for occupancy and age. The applicant said outdoor areas would remain open-air and that seating is the quietest outdoor option; if seating is prohibited the applicant said they would likely place games or other features in the space instead. O'Leary confirmed no plans for live outdoor music and reiterated door controls and staff security.

Board members and staff agreed more detail was needed on the breakdown of police service calls, whether incidents are on site versus in the city-owned parking garage, and how noise complaints are tracked and enforced under the city’s noise ordinance. Given those outstanding issues, a board member moved and the board voted to continue the item to Feb. 18; staff said it will coordinate to have Lakeland Police Department present at the continued hearing to explain the service‑call and incident-report details.

The continuation leaves the conditional-use outcome open; staff materials and the LDDA letter will remain part of the record and the board signaled it may apply additional conditions addressing operations, outdoor activity and on‑premises security as appropriate.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Lakeland Planning and Zoning Board Meeting - January 22, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Lakeland Planning and Zoning Board on Jan. 22 continued consideration of a major modification to expand the Rec Room bar-and-arcade at 202 North Massachusetts Avenue until Feb. 18, after residents and staff raised questions about noise, police records and outdoor activity.","taxTitle","Lakeland City, Polk County, Florida","taxId",5792,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6293676,"Planning board approves garage-to-ADU conversion at 1830 West Lake Parker Drive",269,143000,412000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2522976-7e0baf52c9973d4fba30b16ed65f6795&start=143&end=412","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2522976-7e0baf52c9973d4fba30b16ed65f6795/thumbnail_143000.jpg","/articles/6293676/Lakeland-City/Polk-County/Florida/Planning-board-approves-garage-to-ADU-conversion-at-1830-West-Lake-Parker-Drive","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6293676-3a9a38c6a6738caebbd391ac25b3da4a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771195584&Signature=GwJMzTRnglX9TcOiHWaDrWMEaJye2fuGp1byQMb7H-RRhG7gHNL1lWgCTcUjAg1hgFXxwtNolGgpLToUPCFfupCi-63xhsp2AzpOKG5xNdtDuO-0sIp80m0d~y9M73rquN8jrX0QnTOJMiAV8oxsWdkw1AYTgS3hGHMPxoZyNGa7s8obOBgV2PXjdtmO5~8sldmwfuUkiHS52UwSB6520Jf0NOO2ErKk56N-QmuWdtmz4b2tClRp~mvcg3rzZI5fw9~i8ikGRfVFLiHXdWh4gdrFWMdjn2b0-iN90nNirPg6PS0Bm2VNfRrhJ5-qADVwswvspLiOUPgLXCP8qAm4Zg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lakeland Planning and Zoning Board on Jan. 22 approved a compatibility review to convert a detached garage at 1830 West Lake Parker Drive West into a single accessory dwelling unit (ADU), with conditions tied to site plans and building elevations.

The approval, made during the board’s public hearing portion of the Jan. 22 meeting, allows the conversion of the existing 743-square-foot detached garage into one ADU under the RA-1 (single-family) zoning and the urban neighborhood context standards. The board heard no public comment on the application before voting to approve the final decision.

Audrey Maguire, senior planner with Community and Economic Development, told the board the property lies east of Lakeland Hills Boulevard and west of Lake Parker and that adjacent properties are primarily single-family residences. Maguire said the proposal meets the setback and ADU square-footage limits and presented architectural elevations and floor plans included in the staff packet.

Applicant Bailey Trotter confirmed for the record that the main dwelling or the property would remain owner-occupied and that the existing garage currently has no electrical service. “I’m Bailey Trotter. I am the applicant for the ADU unit and currently no, there is no electrical going out to the garage,” Trotter said. Staff clarified the ADU will be tied to the primary residence’s service and may not have a separate meter; electrical must be fed from the home’s main service. The board read aloud the recommended conditions, which require the ADU to be developed substantially in accordance with the submitted survey and architectural plans and to be finished to match the principal dwelling.

After the applicant confirmed acceptance of the conditions, a board member moved approval and a second was offered. The board approved the action by voice vote with no recorded public opposition. The record shows a standard, condition-based approval rather than any additional negotiated mitigation measures.

The ADU approval adds one permitted housing unit under the city’s development code in an established single‑family neighborhood. The project next proceeds to any required building‑permit and utility‑service coordination steps; staff noted the electrical tie and meter arrangement will be handled at permitting.

Board staff and the applicant did not receive written public comments on the item prior to the meeting.

The board’s action was recorded as final for agenda Item 1 and will be implemented under the conditions read into the record.","The Lakeland Planning and Zoning Board approved converting an existing 743-square-foot detached garage at 1830 West Lake Parker Drive into an accessory dwelling unit (ADU), subject to conditions including matching exterior finishes and shared electrical service with the main house.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6293662,"Votes at a glance: Jan. 22 Lakeland Planning and Zoning Board",6638,52000,6690000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2522976-7e0baf52c9973d4fba30b16ed65f6795&start=52&end=6690","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2522976-7e0baf52c9973d4fba30b16ed65f6795/thumbnail_52000.jpg","/articles/6293662/Lakeland-City/Polk-County/Florida/Votes-at-a-glance-Jan-22-Lakeland-Planning-and-Zoning-Board","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6293662-9ab92e4b6d3f2d12bd21a853201375b2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771195584&Signature=NI5KAVP2CfXBU334kTFeeW5MUw1Wb5KRueLyBCfbtgAtFU2nrzcySat0xmvA5onD1L2btyAVUSd1bXGGbRLafJ6cBDYlZhWZzFOuCQw493L1XJotYh1yB~mJ~ksMfyhYp-nJUYYLtUyvxm33dL01BM92q3LGqRy5GxkgqSu-GRgrZFcZRCvrZEnz5AKYeXaVXWfL5-Xxqb-vYTpdjl8RSKYHd0h1hSyN4h58zCkIQkDYswYujk7Uvz~P5PiL6JGhwV7efwKrdKhDdmRMGH368dQpTC-2nSYV3yK2PfGacCWGtZuWYLzd7DlYE6e579NTOSmR091QfB3U~4uv99vK6w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","This memo summarizes the formal actions and motions recorded by the Lakeland Planning and Zoning Board at its Jan. 22, 2025 meeting.

- 1830 West Lake Parker Drive West (Item 1): Board approved a compatibility review to convert an existing 743-square-foot detached garage into one accessory dwelling unit (ADU), subject to conditions requiring conformity with submitted survey and architectural plans and that the ADU be served by the main dwelling’s electrical service. Applicant Bailey Trotter accepted the conditions; no public comments were received.

- Rec Room expansion, 202 North Massachusetts Avenue (Item 2): The board continued the major-modification request to the Feb. 18 meeting and asked staff to coordinate with the Lakeland Police Department to clarify the two‑year (Dec. 2022–Dec. 2024) service-call breakdown (staff reported 62 entries for the Rec Room during that window) and whether recorded incidents were on-site or in the adjacent city-owned parking garage. The continuation preserves staff materials (including an LDDA letter of support) for the next hearing.

- Dream Center major modification (Item 3): The board heard the request to incorporate five adjacent parcels (total ~0.47 acres) for restroom/shower facilities and Mercantile expansion. After discussion about roll-off dumpster pads, buffering and enclosure costs, and existing civil-site items, a motion to approve was rescinded and the board asked staff and the applicant to reconcile conditions and return the item for further consideration.

- Review minutes of the Nov. meeting (Item 4): The board approved the November meeting minutes by voice vote.

- Planned Unit Development (PUD) at 1200 Oak Ridge Parkway (Item 5): The applicant requested a one‑month continuance for a proposal to allow two hotels (up to five stories, 245 rooms) on approximately 5.14 acres; the board voted unanimously to continue the item one month.

Notes on vote records: Many actions were recorded via voice vote with no roll-call tallies provided in the transcript. Where a formal count was not read into the record, staff recorded the outcome as approved/continued/returned for further work, and the minutes reflect those procedural results.","Summary of formal actions taken or scheduled at the Jan. 22 meeting: ADU at 1830 West Lake Parker Drive approved; Rec Room expansion continued to Feb. 18; Dream Center modification returned for conditions refinement; meeting minutes approved; Oak Ridge PUD continuance granted.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6293666,"Board defers final vote on Dream Center expansion after discussion over dumpsters, fencing and site plan details",54,644000,698000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2522976-7e0baf52c9973d4fba30b16ed65f6795&start=644&end=698","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2522976-7e0baf52c9973d4fba30b16ed65f6795/thumbnail_644000.jpg","/articles/6293666/Lakeland-City/Polk-County/Florida/Board-defers-final-vote-on-Dream-Center-expansion-after-discussion-over-dumpsters-fencing-and-site-plan-details","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6293666-e0f485bb1de4bdec9c4a996187758ef0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771195584&Signature=Sx7pQx~QmmY2tNAPvPgnYSpoqf3PpC8n0eaLdAciicnbMfdP9XKs6JdymK6A~gUyNl4qd7y8bJW0SEhmZaEYRp38KbNYQFURLRDHwwR2zOhZcMB-45HRUyNkFTeISvXEdEipS0iDLA8yx0APLkI1bPrNhb2cXORH4c7rN9SkeouR3DivtKf8~LvrzWfBhUesMaWgM3df~ex1w7MtGBUu~JFhRYxB-9isd~O-U6CSCkku5rnK7RYhutrgkFKAyaBc98I54GlXsjIWhGbn20t56NrhjkX4JjrICCMPoXiokBLkgBYCRsvvZ7aYOhgfjUEXd-pwNehXNLYs9pK-h-3tmg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lakeland Planning and Zoning Board on Jan. 22 heard a major modification request from the Dream Center of Lakeland to consolidate and incorporate five additional parcels into the center’s existing conditional‑use permit and to add a restroom and shower facility and an expansion of the Mercantile building. After discussion, the board did not take final action and will work with staff and the applicant to refine site and operational conditions before returning the item to a future hearing.

Marisol (senior planner, Community and Economic Development) presented the modification, noting the five additional parcels total about 0.47 acres and include areas intended for a restroom and shower facility (Parcel 2), the Mercantile expansion (Parcel 4) and two roll‑off dumpster pads (Parcel 6). The packet showed proposed elevations for the restroom/shower and site plans that incorporate the Mercantile expansion into the civil review. Staff said they received no public emails opposing the project and invited the applicant to speak.

Mike Cooper, executive director of the Dream Center of Lakeland, described the project as an incremental expansion of services the center already provides, including adding restroom and shower access adjacent to an existing play and program area and consolidating parcels to create a campus plan. Cooper also explained the roll‑off dumpsters and pads have historical operational uses tied to city outreach and solid-waste pickups and said the organization expects ongoing partnership with the city for pickup and management. Cooper noted cost constraints for installing full buffering fences and said, “To put a fence up like that, for right now within 2 building programs, it's not gonna be feasible for us,” and asked the board for patience as the center continues outreach and site improvements.

Staff recommended multiple conditions, including that the outdoor roll‑off/dumpster area on Parcel 6 be buffered from public view by a six‑foot opaque fence or wall and a 7.5‑foot landscape strip (a Type A buffer per the code), and that existing concrete dumpster pads at Fourth and Ohio be removed before issuance of a certificate of occupancy for the Mercantile expansion. Staff also included language to relocate existing dumpsters at 705 West Fifth Street into a code-compliant enclosure. The proposed conditions further require parking and access to be developed per the civil site plan under review and allow minor adjustments during site-plan review with director approval.

Public comment included expressions of support from neighborhood property owners: Chris Franklin (owner of 617 and 621 West Fourth Street) and Eric Amon both spoke in favor of the Dream Center's work. One resident asked whether the Conditional Use Permit would set a precedent for rezoning; staff said a conditional-use approval is an authorization for a special use under existing zoning and does not itself rezone adjacent properties.

During deliberation, the board discussed the practical implications and costs of required buffering and enclosures, the status of the roll‑off pads (city-owned roll‑offs and tire‑collection operations), and timing of sidewalk and public‑works improvements near the site. The board identified a need to reconcile conditions tied to the Mercantile civil site plan and to be mindful that written conditions remain in force indefinitely unless amended. After a motion to approve the modification was made and then rescinded by the mover, members agreed to pause and coordinate further refinements between staff and the applicant, and to return with a cleaned-up conditions package.

Staff said they would work with the applicant on the fence/dumpster/enclosure language and confirmed that some items (for example, removal of certain dumpster pads) are already reflected in the Mercantile site plan under review. The applicant said he would continue to engage with public-works staff on operational logistics. The board did not set a specific date for return but indicated follow-up at the next available hearing was appropriate.","The Planning and Zoning Board heard a major-modification request from the Dream Center of Lakeland to add five adjacent parcels (about 0.47 acres) for restroom/shower facilities and a mercantile expansion, but members asked staff and the applicant to refine conditions related to dumpster pads, buffering and fencing before final action.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Planning board delays decision on Rec Room 'barcade' expansion after neighbors raise noise and policing concerns

Planning board approves garage-to-ADU conversion at 1830 West Lake Parker Drive

Votes at a glance: Jan. 22 Lakeland Planning and Zoning Board

Board defers final vote on Dream Center expansion after discussion over dumpsters, fencing and site plan details