[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6288913,"mediaKeyId","2534171-c9f3d98ac9f3ea37676ed24a08c7a28c","parentId",2534171,"title","Residents near Dundee Road raise traffic and safety concerns after first reading of rezoning request","audioSeconds",642,"startMs",3246180,"endMs",3889115,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2534171-c9f3d98ac9f3ea37676ed24a08c7a28c&start=3246&end=3889","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2534171-c9f3d98ac9f3ea37676ed24a08c7a28c/thumbnail_3246180.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6288913/Winter-Haven-City/Polk-County/Florida/Residents-near-Dundee-Road-raise-traffic-and-safety-concerns-after-first-reading-of-rezoning-request","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6288913-3a1be19e0d360e225a4c887d146b849a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200040&Signature=j0MsnIn9i10VQnSCt~wHJxGwGbdk0Zh4Nc4J6BXQpn3QTGB9FAY6vwz4q4e-ZgaeAwVOpjH6djhTQ5hStt0O9snW1xPC7r5fPhRdvR6pttCBQIq~FiInmB8xE3xD7QIzWgZsefMK1hSJIlTsQZnRjDoBwmjqlT6HspBNOkPDHebF1AVlGDjLgcUpj8oEM0epsvSqHJ1QaP6A5sVgouD5JlMA-R1o1EWJJ87vg4OxSAjhVOoRlLhkIs2klwG6kiV4DhS7ulZNASwyjE3ur-6mLCjw8LKrA7sN5tOursho6LF3IzZOiP51kuxW8sk4W2-IIbPqBFpQbvwaU3ZtWILmrw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Winter Haven, FL","date","2025-03-10T19:35:56Z","article","City staff presented a rezoning request on March 10 to change a 4.89‑acre parcel at the southwest corner of Dundee Road and Overlook Drive Southeast from Industrial Light (I‑1) to Commercial Highway (C‑3). The request, filed by Avid Group LLC, would allow a three‑lot commercial subdivision with uses and development standards consistent with the C‑3 district; staff said the rezoning is consistent with the property’s future land‑use designation and that the Planning Commission voted on Feb. 4 to recommend approval.

The item is notable for nearby residents because the site backs directly to the Overlook Ridge neighborhood and has three bus stops and multiple school pickups nearby. Karen Stockman, an Overlook Ridge resident and HOA board member, said she is hearing impaired and asked for better multilingual communications for planning notices and clearer community outreach for residents who split their time seasonally outside Florida. “If it was possible, please, to have the letter of notice of the planning done in English and also in Spanish,” Stockman said, offering the HOA’s email list as a distribution channel.

Stockman and other residents told commissioners they were concerned about lighting, noise, and traffic conflicts if the parcel is developed for convenience retail or similar uses. They pointed to the existing concentration of convenience stores within a half‑mile and asked the city to study potential crime and nuisance effects and to improve lighting along Overlook Drive between Dundee Road and Calvary Baptist Church. City staff responded that notices were mailed according to Florida law and that the city would explore providing Spanish‑language notices in future planning notifications. Eric Labbe, director of economic opportunity and community investment, said the rezoning is effectively a down‑zoning from I‑1 to C‑3 and that staff believes the commercial zoning would be more compatible with adjacent residential uses than industrial uses.

No final action was taken; the item was presented on first reading and will return to the commission for a second reading on March 24. Staff materials shown at the meeting included the parcel size (4.89 acres), the petitioner name (Avid Group LLC), and a recommendation to approve.

Residents also asked the city to work with county or state authorities to monitor accidents at the intersection and to consider additional signage; Stockman said a request documenting crashes at Overlook Drive and Dundee Road is pending with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Commission Meeting - March 10, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","City staff presented on March 10 a request from Avid Group LLC to rezone about 4.89 acres at Dundee Road and Overlook Drive SE from Industrial Light (I‑1) to Commercial Highway (C‑3); nearby residents asked the commission for more multilingual outreach, stronger lighting and traffic controls.","taxTitle","Winter Haven City, Polk County, Florida","taxId",12580,"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},6288918,"Polk County details phased Thompson Nursery Road plan; Winter Haven residents press for separated sidewalks and a traffic signal",1713,1116635,2830535,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2534171-c9f3d98ac9f3ea37676ed24a08c7a28c&start=1116&end=2830","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2534171-c9f3d98ac9f3ea37676ed24a08c7a28c/thumbnail_1116635.jpg","/articles/6288918/Winter-Haven-City/Polk-County/Florida/Polk-County-details-phased-Thompson-Nursery-Road-plan-Winter-Haven-residents-press-for-separated-sidewalks-and-a-traffic-signal","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6288918-ec866986ef35da835b1ed9ab5c5cf958/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200040&Signature=i7oeBxBG6jJhlvEo2YduFFEy7iTVDovXYAQ3BPJek7n8fLDwWIQX-tscIlTXon8mY19DYZ4c~a1NATUGadeDLxaCNm6gffjAOEy4GWcnCycmO5Z20qvahgPurSUoyFe07Htf9rhHZf6AGgC1WzuqoRzClg0dCfl7enbB5c2~6mVPVRezOrh0bhkgUs45P3hP2ouNnyRaWekol~gUAkyG95ITcSO9afAO4-4lGgEfVV2vDWCwc7zmR4dQKnTBBanCz2sHM4kD9lTaj3fhrARFWpehFP7IsWMEyVFwSJKLe0RWBPDUa2ywxls5mQZI8iJ-dim7Ez5zdV7U-EmbqJPn-g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Polk County Roads and Drainage Director Jay Jarvis told the Winter Haven City Commission on March 10 that the Thompson Nursery Road widening and realignment project is proceeding in multiple phases, with segment 1 expected to go to bid this summer and construction to start this fall, and that the county intends to seek board approval on remaining alignments in April.

The presentation matters to Winter Haven because the corridor runs through growing residential areas and commercial developments where residents told the commission they fear insufficient pedestrian and bicycle accommodations as new stores and subdivisions open. Jay Jarvis said the project is divided into two phases, with phase 1 split into multiple segments running from Highway 17 near Eagle Lake to West Lake Ruby Road and phase 2 continuing to Highway 27, and that county staff is updating an alignment adopted by the Polk County Board of County Commissioners in the mid‑2000s.

Jarvis said the county is awaiting a Florida Department of Transportation permit for the Highway 17 connection and that the board directed staff to pursue a sidewalk option after public comments and property‑owner input. “Our intent is that this will go out to bid sometime this summer,” Jarvis said, describing segment 1 as the stretch from Highway 17 to Rifle Range Road/Snively Avenue and estimating that segment’s construction would take at least two years. For later segments he said design, permitting and right‑of‑way work could take three to four years and that segments 2 and 4 are likely to be grouped for construction; full completion of the entire corridor depends on funding availability.

Residents who live along Thompson Nursery Road urged the commission to press Polk County for separated pedestrian and bicycle facilities and for a traffic signal at an access point planned for a future Publix. Linda Fife, vice president of the Traditions homeowners association, said roughly 595 homes are represented by her HOA and described ongoing meetings with county staff. “A 6‑foot sidewalk doesn't do the job,” Fife said, arguing that a multiuse path set as far from the travel lanes as possible would be safer for children, elderly residents and people with disabilities.

James Collette, president of the Traditions HOA, told commissioners he worried about crossings for people walking, cycling and using golf carts between neighborhood amenities on opposite sides of Thompson Nursery Road. “I do have a big concern that somebody is gonna get killed at that intersection,” Collette said, urging the commission to support requests for a traffic signal and other safety measures.

Jarvis described the design options the county studied — including sidewalks on both sides, or a single‑side sidewalk paired with a multiuse path — and said property owners and retailers have been consulted. He noted concerns county staff has identified with multiuse paths, including unauthorized motorized vehicle use and related liability and operational questions, and said the county has acquired some right‑of‑way already from owners willing to sell rather than face condemnation. Jarvis also told commissioners the county has an agreement with a developer on the Lake Wales Ridge Drive intersection and expects some developer-funded improvements to be in place before the county’s widening construction begins.

On construction staging, Jarvis said the county plans to maintain at least two lanes of access (one in each direction) as work proceeds. He also said funding is not yet sufficient to build every segment at once; segment 5 could be delayed if additional revenue does not materialize, though the county hopes to let segments 2, 4 and 5 as a single contract if possible.

The next public milestone is Polk County Board consideration of the alignment studies, which Jarvis said the county expects to present in April; that decision would allow staff to advance design, permitting and remaining right‑of‑way acquisitions. Residents at the meeting were urged to raise design modification requests when the county presents the alignment for formal approval.","Polk County presented an updated, multi-segment timeline for Thompson Nursery Road and said right-of-way acquisition and design will proceed after County Board alignment approvals; nearby residents urged separated multiuse paths, traffic signals at future retail entrances and other safety measures.",{"_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},6288908,"City Commission adopts three resolutions, approves consent agenda; several ordinances set for second reading",161,3063990,3225920,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2534171-c9f3d98ac9f3ea37676ed24a08c7a28c&start=3063&end=3225","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2534171-c9f3d98ac9f3ea37676ed24a08c7a28c/thumbnail_3063990.jpg","/articles/6288908/Winter-Haven-City/Polk-County/Florida/City-Commission-adopts-three-resolutions-approves-consent-agenda-several-ordinances-set-for-second-reading","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6288908-0a10dfa2b80601f9a2ddd8d168102d7d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200040&Signature=oRueZWF-kAK6LqcS1UTicAyD4wfcfoeTZMQXavIxMWXTWtpbag7fcFM1I5fR3PF30qwjoY5IwWVZG9L0RZklB1PM7W6NxS1WM84I9CXlvOtI5d8s9yQA0e2fi0iTDI6h1mdG1wQNaJ9fulPHfNZ60IZEBSHFUOQDjvRQi-V3PDc9z7dXUQVUV9yIvv~Oj1rba6Q6MXTVQOdVQfpe-ClQNdAzskBsfjQ61vXn1LaUMPzoR7j6cpY2VLd-Doue3euVD8y595dJRqwPCJNfU2wJBHxvVOWRyfcV8Ew1Y~kcVVNCa4zyGcGgOZIcW3Tra3vEL9JLkodnKQtNEWYLrD2ZNQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Winter Haven City Commission voted unanimously on March 10 to adopt three resolutions and to approve the consent agenda. Actions included final plat approvals for two subdivisions and acceptance of a Florida Department of Transportation public transportation grant to replace airport rotating beacons at Winter Haven Regional Airport, Gilbert Field.

Those actions are routine but consequential for development and airport operations: plats clear legal prerequisites for subdivision recording and the FDOT grant will cover 80% of the estimated $250,000 cost to replace aging beacon equipment with modern LED technology.

Willowbrook North (Resolution R‑25‑03)
KRPC Willowbrook LLC requested final plat approval for the Willowbrook North subdivision, a 132.9‑acre tract south of Lucerne Park Road. Staff said the subdivision contains 434 building lots and nine common lots for stormwater, open space and rights‑of‑way; internal roads will be dedicated to the Willowbrook Community Development District, while water and sewer utilities will remain city‑owned and operated. A performance bond of $7,235,221.79 was presented to secure remaining infrastructure work. The commission approved Resolution R‑25‑03 (voice vote; no recorded opposition).

Airport beacon grant (Resolution R‑25‑09)
The commission approved a public transportation grant agreement with the Florida Department of Transportation (contract G3982, financial project 451944‑1‑94‑01) to replace obsolete rotating beacons at Winter Haven Regional Airport, Gilbert Field. Staff reported an estimated total project cost of $250,000, with FDOT funding 80% ($200,000) and the city responsible for the remaining 20% ($50,000). Staff recommended approval and the resolution was adopted (voice vote; no recorded opposition).

Crescent Point (Resolution R‑25‑12)
GE Investments of Polk LLC received final plat approval for Crescent Point, a 22.5‑acre subdivision containing 37 building lots and three common lots. Staff said internal roadways will be dedicated to the city, water and reuse utilities will be city‑owned, and stormwater areas will be maintained by the homeowners association. The commission approved Resolution R‑25‑12 (voice vote; no recorded opposition).

Other business
The consent agenda was adopted. Two ordinances were presented on first reading and will return for second reading and final action on March 24: O‑25‑05 (rezoning of a parcel at Dundee Road and Overlook Drive SE from I‑1 to C‑3) and O‑25‑13 (a proposed city ordinance prohibiting smoking and vaping in public parks and public beaches owned or leased by the city).

No recorded roll‑call tallies were taken in the meeting minutes for these resolutions; the meeting record reflects voice votes with no opposition at the dais.","On March 10 the Winter Haven City Commission adopted three resolutions: final plats for Willowbrook North and Crescent Point and an FDOT grant agreement for an airport beacon replacement; the consent agenda was approved and the commissions scheduled second readings for two ordinances on March 24.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents near Dundee Road raise traffic and safety concerns after first reading of rezoning request

Polk County details phased Thompson Nursery Road plan; Winter Haven residents press for separated sidewalks and a traffic signal

City Commission adopts three resolutions, approves consent agenda; several ordinances set for second reading