[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-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],{"_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",6559503,"mediaKeyId","3203251-20d03303ad0b6ba0229fc0f257c683af","parentId",3203251,"title","Polk County commission: votes at a glance — wastewater contracts, utility reimbursements, FDOT grant, EMS land purchase, economic development exemptions and a 2","audioSeconds",34,"startMs",14057000,"endMs",14023000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3203251-20d03303ad0b6ba0229fc0f257c683af&start=14057&end=14023","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3203251-20d03303ad0b6ba0229fc0f257c683af/thumbnail_14057000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6559503/Polk-County/Florida/Polk-County-commission-votes-at-a-glance-wastewater-contracts-utility-reimbursements-FDOT-grant-EMS-land-purchase-economic-development-exemptions-and-a-2","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6559503-483280992095f4522f90c5e86fc20fa6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770738471&Signature=ipbeJws6KbUW91cOUmuaBmI9207owvA-9qeXxc4w5ibnWJCVxiXvwJCfZEsQrzxJr~STTuIPAtY95nj1Zk4lv49h4O-l-90YXmimlSGyRkg91fTsGiwucoqH-zdMd-JTuH4DBdpCG3T-83wdkhBs6eoIT4fI3HCP-9J064mxFj8KelmtOpFQH8qS9~pV0D5xGLLcRtuQI5WrHfSt53L94aXhcdqfSIONoId4DQu~LELLQFwc4zV85~NFq3cNNz~MwSI8XRvr1t2sr-G2PHSVkn2z5csHuYuiNO9idieiZaT8R8tWWoARFlR9wDm5g1CSLZuqFGvUGRSnrm2zn3g7Ow__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Polk County","date","2025-05-06T07:59:00Z","article","At its May meeting the Polk County Board of County Commissioners handled a mix of infrastructure contracts, developer utility agreements, state grant acceptance, property acquisition for emergency services, and several land‑use and economic development items.

Key votes and outcomes

- Northwest Regional Wastewater design agreement (H‑1): The board approved an agreement with Corolla Engineers for part‑1 professional engineering services at the Northwest Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility, a one‑time expense not to exceed $3,249,568. The board approved the contract and the motion carried.

- Touchstone/Touchstone (Clayton Properties) force main reimbursement (H‑2): The board approved a utility infrastructure agreement with Clayton Properties Group for wastewater force main expansion in the Touchstone development area. The county’s reimbursement share for utility work was authorized not to exceed $3,064,574; the developer’s total utility construction cost was stated as not to exceed $3,902,426. Funding was available in the utilities capital expansion fund.

- North Ridge Trail FDOT supplemental funding (H‑3): The board approved a supplemental agreement with the Florida Department of Transportation to accept $2,500,000 in additional state construction funding for the North Ridge Trail project. With prior agreements the total state funding for the project will be $17,000,000.

- EMS station land purchase (H‑4): The board approved a land purchase agreement with Ruby K. Branson, trustee, for approximately 4.5 acres along County Road 540 A to site a future Polk County EMS/fire rescue station. The board authorized issuance of funds for acquisition and closing costs not to exceed a total of $1,420,000 (purchase and closing costs combined); recorded motion carried.

- Consent and finance items: The board approved and ratified payroll and invoice checks presented by the clerk and approved prior meeting minutes as presented.

- Expedited land‑use items: The board approved a Poinciana subdivision comprehensive‑plan amendment transmittal (LDCPA L‑20‑24‑14) to change about 160 acres from agricultural/rural to residential low to match adjacent development and to transmit the amendment to the Florida Department of Commerce.

- Land development code text amendments (expedited hearing): Commissioners continued two text‑amendment items (items O‑2 and O‑3) to the second June meeting because of pending state legislation (Senate Bill 180) that could retroactively affect local code changes. The board approved a text amendment making placement of certain pre‑1971 mobile homes an administrative approval (O‑4); the board set the second reading/adoption for the coops/roosters text amendment for June 17.

- CDD modification: The board approved a modification to the North Powerline Road Community Development District boundary (fourth expansion), removing about 26.5 acres and adding 43.35 acres; the change increases the total number of units reported for the CDD.

- Economic development ad valorem tax exemptions (P‑series): The board adopted an ordinance to grant an ad valorem tax exemption for a new rail‑served cold‑storage/distribution facility in Winter Haven (project referenced as \"Project Ray\" / Supply Properties LLC) under the county’s AVTE program. Staff materials projected property appraiser estimates of lost ad valorem revenue of about $620,753 annually during the 10‑year exemption period; supporters argued the project would bring high‑paying jobs and capital investment. The board later adopted an ordinance revoking a previously granted exemption for Lineage Logistics after the company notified the county it will not proceed with the Lake Alfred facility (staff recommendation adopted). The board also approved an amendment to an existing exemption for Public Supermarkets, Inc. (Publix) to delay the start date of its exemption period by one year.

- Stewart property (P‑5) transmittal to state with modified land‑use: After public comment and applicant negotiation, commissioners voted to transmit a comprehensive‑plan amendment for the \"Stewart property\" (area near Thornhill Road and Lake Hancock). The board amended the applicant’s request on the dais and directed that the entire application area be transmitted as Residential Low‑1 (RL‑1) rather than the originally‑proposed mix of Residential High/Medium and Rural designations.

- Business Park Center request (P‑6/P‑7) denied: The board denied transmittal of an application to create a Business Park Center near Alderman/Swindell Road (see separate article for details).

- Camping ordinance (P‑8): The board adopted an ordinance implementing the 2024 state law (House Bill 1365) that prohibits public camping on certain properties unless specifically authorized by the board and clarifies permitted recreational daytime uses; the board adopted the ordinance as presented.

Why this matters

The packet of actions shows an emphasis on utility and roadway infrastructure funding and planned upgrades to county services (wastewater design contracts, force‑main expansions and acceptance of FDOT funds). The meeting also highlights continuing tensions between industrial/commercial growth along the I‑4 corridor and long‑standing rural residential neighborhoods and watershed protection efforts elsewhere in the county.

Speakers (select)

- Mr. Beasley (County manager’s office) — introduced H‑items
- Eric Peterson, Land Development — described expedited items
- Ben Sisco, Land Development Director — explained expedited hearing rules and legislative context
- Mark Bennett, Land Development — presented Stewart property CPA details
- Sandy Howard, County Attorney — presented AVTE and audit items
- Sean Malott, Central Florida Development Council — presented AVTE program audit and performance statistics

Authorities referenced

- Florida Department of Transportation supplemental grant agreements (FDOT)
- Polk County Land Development Code (text amendment references)
- House Bill 1365 (2024) — state law limiting public camping without board authorization (referenced by county attorney)

Actions (selected, formal votes)

- H‑1: Approved agreement with Corolla Engineers, part‑1 engineering, NW Regional WWTF; expense not to exceed $3,249,568. Outcome: Approved.
- H‑2: Approved utility infrastructure agreement with Clayton Properties Group for Touchstone force main; Polk reimbursement not to exceed $3,064,574. Outcome: Approved.
- H‑3: Approved FDOT supplemental agreement to accept $2,500,000 for North Ridge Trail. Outcome: Approved.
- H‑4: Approved land purchase agreement with Ruby K. Branson Trust for EMS station site; total acquisition not to exceed $1,420,000 (purchase + estimated closing). Outcome: Approved.
- O‑1: Approved transmittal for LDCPA L‑20‑24‑14 (Poinciana Subdivision CPA) changing ~160 acres to Residential Low. Outcome: Approved to transmit.
- O‑2/O‑3: Continued to second meeting in June due to pending SB 180. Outcome: Continued.
- O‑4: Adopted LDC text amendment (mobile homes in plats prior to 1971) changing administrative approval pathways. Outcome: Adopted.
- CDD modification: Approved North Powerline Road CDD boundary adjustment (remove ~26.5 acres; add ~43.35 acres). Outcome: Approved.
- P‑2: Adopted ad valorem tax exemption ordinance for new rail‑served cold storage/distribution facility in Winter Haven (Supply Properties LLC / Project Ray) and approved related performance agreement. Outcome: Adopted.
- P‑3: Adopted ordinance revoking prior ad valorem exemption for Lineage Logistics (company notified county it will not proceed). Outcome: Adopted.
- P‑4: Adopted first amendment to Publix performance agreement delaying the start date of exemption by one year. Outcome: Adopted.
- P‑5: Transmitted comprehensive‑plan amendment for Stewart property with board direction that the area be transmitted as Residential Low‑1 (RL‑1). Outcome: Transmitted with RL‑1 designation.
- P‑6/P‑7: Denied transmittal of Business Park Center proposal for Alderman/Swindell site. Outcome: Denied.
- P‑8: Adopted ordinance implementing state law limiting public camping on certain properties unless board‑authorized (House Bill 1365 compliance). Outcome: Adopted.

Provenance (selected transcript spans supporting these items)

- H‑items (manager presentation): block_id:\"b_966\", local_start:0, local_end:360, evidence_excerpt:\"The manager's office will have 4 items for board consideration this morning... Corolla Engineers... not to exceed $3,249,568...\" (s 966.57–1127.64)
- H‑2 (Touchstone/Clayton discussion): block_id:\"b_1230\", local_start:0, local_end:360, evidence_excerpt:\"request the board to approve a utility infrastructure agreement with Clayton Properties Group... Polk County utility reimbursement share will not exceed $3,064,574\" (s 1168.75–1326.235)
- H‑3 (FDOT funds): block_id:\"b_1334\", local_start:0, local_end:360, evidence_excerpt:\"request the board to approve a state funded supplemental agreement with FDOT to accept $2,500,000... North Ridge Trail\" (s 1334.79–1455.475)
- P‑2 (AVTE grant discussion): block_id:\"b_2946\", local_start:0, local_end:360, evidence_excerpt:\"public hearing to consider adoption of an ordinance granting an economic development ad valorem tax exemption... plans invest over $150,000,000 and create more than 80 new full time jobs... estimated $620,753 in ad valorem taxes would be lost each year\" (s 2946.06–3069.135)
- P‑3 revocation (Lineage): block_id:\"b_3612\", local_start:0, local_end:360, evidence_excerpt:\"public hearing to consider adoption of an ordinance revoking... Economic development ad valorem tax exemption for Lineage Logistics Services LLC\" (s 3612.5232–3667.46)
- P‑5 Stewart property transmittal and board motion to RL‑1: block_id:\"b_3989\", local_start:0, local_end:360, evidence_excerpt:\"Stewart property Thornhill Road comprehensive plan amendment... staff recommends approval... public comment... board motioned to transmit with all parcels RL‑1\" (s 3989.2651–7116.32)
- P‑6/P‑7 Alderman/Swindell: block_id:\"b_8537\", local_start:0, local_end:360, evidence_excerpt:\"LDCPA L‑20‑24‑13 Business Park Center request... staff recommended denial; planning commission denied 5‑2... applicant team presentations and public comment; board denied transmittal\" (s 8520.715–14133.346)
- P‑8 camping ordinance: block_id:\"b_14157\", local_start:0, local_end:200, evidence_excerpt:\"public hearing to consider adoption of an ordinance prohibiting public camping on certain properties unless specifically authorized... to ensure compliance with House Bill 1365\" (s 14157.8955–14216.435)

Salience (summary)

- overall:0.62 (infrastructure approvals and several land‑use votes of local consequence), impact_scope:\"local\", attention_level:\"medium\".","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Polk County - Board of County Commissioners on 2025-05-06 9:00 AM - May 06, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Polk County commissioners approved a package of utility contracts, accepted new FDOT construction funding, authorized purchase of land for an EMS station, and took multiple land‑use and economic‑development votes at their May meeting.","taxTitle","Polk County, Florida","taxId",2874,"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},6559508,"Polk commissioners deny business‑park rezoning for Alderman/Swindell site after residents, staff raise flood and compatibility concerns",5663,8372000,14035000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3203251-20d03303ad0b6ba0229fc0f257c683af&start=8372&end=14035","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3203251-20d03303ad0b6ba0229fc0f257c683af/thumbnail_8372000.jpg","/articles/6559508/Polk-County/Florida/Polk-commissioners-deny-businesspark-rezoning-for-AldermanSwindell-site-after-residents-staff-raise-flood-and-compatibility-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6559508-c35a3353566778d7b3d554cb02257de3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770738471&Signature=lPOpSU2wceVZLd4MkTCZOukjU2TQB1sTdl-oVptAogXQuImu3ErDOYe1mVhWrnUhQBWIWwMd-yZDQaV0-Zjzhretvg2MHuwDRNlt6qB1zA-4eOljM2KwC~q4pM3LZ-7wwEVnNPvRu1~N~9Rd0dcZom5lzujrOu5G8bijPazp0-FasdnR7-TmB2w4WJ2wemzeTqtPOumrtMfziZyPoiyWAvsJkk308sMr8Vzad3LwTnJuNEj3eAeHDEp8eVIC4N1MyWyQN4p4qjQg0Gsz2qK1WB~3mz8iFK4eKlkR-8m9apTdxtH5Z3PIeQGcPphCxK1Qn6RE~KjAQaW7svgVsdkbtg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Polk County commissioners on a voice vote denied a requested comprehensive‑plan amendment and associated land‑development text change that would have added a Business Park Center (BPC) designation to roughly 65–75 acres north of Interstate 4 at Alderman Road and Swindell Road.

The applicant proposed concentrating industrial/warehouse buildings on the parcel’s western portion near Alderman while leaving wetlands, stormwater ponds and open space on the north and east. The applicant’s team told the board they reduced the project’s footprint and agreed to added buffering, berming, limits on building height and square footage, and truck‑queuing to reduce traffic impacts. \"We are volunteering to commit to doing the enhanced standards,\" planner Diane Chadwick said, describing negotiated limits on building height (45 feet), maximum building size (no single industrial building larger than 250,000 square feet) and expanded landscaping and berming.

But county staff and multiple residents urged denial. Staff had recommended denial and the county planning commission voted 5‑2 to deny the application. Residents who live along Alderman, Swindell and adjacent rural roads described repeated flooding in the Itchapakasassa Creek watershed, cited historical Army Corps and regional watershed studies, and said the parcel’s location and drainage make intensive development inappropriate. \"It doesn't fit,\" said resident Edward Leonard, summarizing the neighborhood view that the site is not compatible with large‑scale industrial intensification. Several speakers also said the same drainage and floodplain issues would make dense residential development problematic.

Applicant representatives said they had modified their proposal after the planning commission hearing — shrinking the BPC boundary, adding enhanced buffering and agreeing to limit access to Swindell Road — and argued the parcel sits inside multiple policy overlays intended for more intense uses near the I‑4 corridor. Attorney Bart Allen said the site aligns with corridor planning, is contiguous with other business‑park uses to the south, and can meet floodplain and stormwater requirements. Engineer Mark Wilson told the board the team had completed wetland surveys and would provide cup‑for‑cup floodplain compensation and additional storage, saying the design meets county and water‑management district standards.

Board members weighed competing priorities: protecting long‑established, low‑density neighborhoods and water resources vs. allowing industrial growth in a corridor with existing warehouses and planned truck facilities. After discussion a commissioner moved to deny transmittal of the comprehensive‑plan amendment; the motion was seconded and carried.

What the board did and why it matters

By denying the transmittal the board prevented the amendment from going forward to the state review stage. Opponents said the decision protects an established rural neighborhood and the Itchapakasassa watershed from additional development pressure; proponents said denial forecloses a constrained, conditioned industrial redevelopment that would provide jobs and use existing infrastructure near I‑4. The denial does not prohibit future, different proposals for the site; any subsequent submittal would require a new review cycle.

Speakers

- Bart Allen, land‑use attorney (applicant representative)
- Diane Chadwick, planner, Stantec (applicant planner)
- Mark Wilson, P.E., Kimley‑Horn (applicant engineer)
- Erica Sumner, broker, Florida Cracker Properties (listing agent for seller)
- Christina Knight, landowner (seller)
- Edward Leonard, resident (Country Class Farms HOA)
- Lanae Luttrell, resident (public commenter)
- Beverly Fitchitt, resident
- James Abercrombie, resident
- Daniel Bentz, resident
- Multiple other residents who spoke during public comment (see provenance)

Authorities

- Polk County Land Development Code (referenced by staff and applicant regarding BPC and buffering requirements)
- Itchapakasassa Creek watershed studies (referenced by residents; specific citations not supplied in hearing record)

Actions

- Motion: Deny transmittal of comprehensive plan amendment LDCPA L‑20‑24‑13 (Business Park Center designation request) for property north of I‑4 at Alderman/Swindell. Mover/second: not specified in record. Outcome: Motion carries (denial). Notes: Planning staff recommended denial; planning commission recommended denial 5‑2. No formal development approvals follow from this action.

Clarifying details

- The applicant reduced the proposed BPC area after an initial planning commission hearing, eliminating about 25 acres from the northern boundary and lowering the requested maximum building height from 50 to 45 feet.
- The applicant offered several development controls in the text amendment: maximum of ~685,000 sq ft total industrial floor area across the site, no single industrial building larger than 250,000 sq ft, a 70‑foot western buffer with a 6‑foot earthen berm and fence, a 30‑foot eastern buffer where adjacent to residential, limited refrigerated‑truck overnight operations, and access limited to Swindell Road.
- Applicant materials state upland area on the site is approximately 73.5 acres with about 15 acres of wetlands; staff used these figures in concurrency and density estimates.

Proper names

- Itchapakasassa Creek (watershed referenced by commenters)
- Stantec (planning consultant)
- Kimley‑Horn (engineering consultant)
- Florida Cracker Properties (listing broker)

Meeting context

- Engagement level: High public interest; multiple residents (roughly two dozen speakers) appeared and spoke during the item; the item produced extended public testimony and applicant expert presentations.
- Implementation risk: High — site is in a mapped floodplain and wetlands; any future approval would require significant stormwater and floodplain compensation design, and coordination with water‑management district and FDOT.

Searchable tags:[\"Itchapakasassa Creek\",\"Alderman Road\",\"Swindell Road\",\"business park\",\"rezoning\",\"floodplain\",\"Polk County\"]

Provenance (excerpted transcript spans)

- topicintro: block_id: \"b_8482\", local_start:0, local_end:200, evidence_excerpt: \"Good morning commissioners. My name is Bart Allen...\" (applicant opening remarks and description of request)
- topicfinish: block_id: \"b_14130\", local_start:0, local_end:200, evidence_excerpt: \"Motion carries to deny.\" (final motion outcome)

Salience

- overall:0.78, overall_justification:\"Significant local policy decision affecting land use, watershed and neighborhood compatibility; high public engagement.\" ,impact_scope:\"local\" ,attention_level:\"high\" ,novelty:0.35 ,timeliness_urgency:0.65 ,legal_significance:0.42 ,budgetary_significance:0.10 ,public_safety_risk:0.30 ,environmental_impact:0.58 ,affected_population_estimate:250 ,affected_population_estimate_justification:\"Estimate based on nearby parcel counts and potential residential equivalence if developed; actual figures depend on future proposals.\" ,affected_population_confidence:0.45 ,budget_total_usd:0.0 ,policy_stage:\"transmittal\" ,follow_up_priority:8 ,fact_check_risk:0.20 ,uncertainty:0.60 ,source_diversity:0.55 ,stakeholder_balance:0.40 ,alert_flags:[\"environmental\",\"high_uncertainty\"]},","Polk County commissioners denied a proposed comprehensive‑plan change to create a Business Park Center at Alderman/Swindell Road, citing compatibility and watershed concerns after extensive resident testimony and technical presentations.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Polk County commission: votes at a glance — wastewater contracts, utility reimbursements, FDOT grant, EMS land purchase, economic development exemptions and a 2

Polk commissioners deny business‑park rezoning for Alderman/Swindell site after residents, staff raise flood and compatibility concerns