[{"_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",6225558,"mediaKeyId","3536623-83dd6f6f80a15ee0c1d767f7d84b35e8","parentId",3536623,"title","Commission approves Lake Deere Townhomes final plat for 304 building lots on 51.7 acres","audioSeconds",137,"startMs",2113000,"endMs",2250000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3536623-83dd6f6f80a15ee0c1d767f7d84b35e8&start=2113&end=2250","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3536623-83dd6f6f80a15ee0c1d767f7d84b35e8/thumbnail_2113000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6225558/Winter-Haven-City/Polk-County/Florida/Commission-approves-Lake-Deere-Townhomes-final-plat-for-304-building-lots-on-517-acres","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6225558-dc58b8cf4cfb5c5352cb0424c084a685/orig.mp4?Expires=1771183039&Signature=AHEyRibTr138MCmlBehQfzryOtWs7YDGmXdv-AfV0ZoCD0pbRslm3axMV6XlWTFIdt7ZOxjCrGbfx-r1gti39ytZxHa5WF1q2olx5AMvQmbUYK6jW4o70yWhtHnvrqBd2TUneGChigSeWf-QKrgIXDfOq6FfnksMo1UZSYSc3DMpFlTadi9coFTp6C-0rmV484lrgVABX8WOH2CsIWVVVRiZamr-1jGSAn1emXkbsJYxRCo2-th1-QJZVYUNUCcFNQkfKwLy8SaxIrbFcKS3~egrwJqPKYVZMaqbreVSlqkb7olLEZsverIsP4iY9Y5dFgxztvTnlAF-xznwSHCkBQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Winter Haven, FL","date","2025-05-27T21:58:06Z","article","The Winter Haven City Commission approved Resolution R‑25‑26 to file the final plat for Lake Deere Townhomes. City staff reported the plat covers 51.7 acres, contains 304 building lots and 10 common lots, and shows internal roadways within 50‑foot rights of way that will be dedicated to the city.

Staff said water service will come from the Winter Haven Water System and wastewater will be treated at Wastewater Treatment Plant 3; capacity in both systems is sufficient to serve the subdivision. A performance bond of $1,976,322.37 has been submitted to cover remaining infrastructure (earthwork, sanitary sewer, potable water, stormwater, paving and engineering certification). Staff recommended approval and the commission adopted the resolution after a public hearing with no speakers.

The resolution establishes conditions required for final plat recording consistent with multifamily residential low‑density (R‑3) zoning and dedicates internal roads to the city.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Commission Meeting, May 27, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The city commission adopted Resolution R‑25‑26 approving the Lake Deere Townhomes final plat. The 51.7‑acre subdivision includes 304 building lots, 10 common lots, 50‑foot internal rights of way to be dedicated to the city and a performance bond to cover remaining infrastructure.","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},6225563,"Winter Haven renews FDOT maintenance agreement covering 16.66 miles of state rights‑of‑way",144,1970000,2114000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3536623-83dd6f6f80a15ee0c1d767f7d84b35e8&start=1970&end=2114","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3536623-83dd6f6f80a15ee0c1d767f7d84b35e8/thumbnail_1970000.jpg","/articles/6225563/Winter-Haven-City/Polk-County/Florida/Winter-Haven-renews-FDOT-maintenance-agreement-covering-1666-miles-of-state-rightsofway","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6225563-522df0a1626ff99eda0305ae58f07e3b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771183039&Signature=hpGrTO2zwoOhc6makyd9tw2GOiWFVB2oV3oAlJt-LwtoMDqBKxj0HpIrrOF-zniYdT3KE6Idv1hVfSH6ddMOq9rAt6cj76aFzgMiZhmQWUkX5wctzY4-V9bIP9GwGnf3CxEHnjM4tnw6wqhvCVqYlzabAjk8c89oKen1rk~cHKa3bqEv-cOTTKEIwQHKroEX1kmquLhAAfM5o~ZNifm3T9ZccTAjXuBDb9gglty74OZWSpn5516eK-~QC33T58WE5owfWm3aca8SxOshZZQuqra0Sp3Wx4v4NzU2CA5x6IJ5HmHiFPG2ldZqwJP-qaddwMCk6f9X-EESPaWwA6CdGg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","By vote the Winter Haven City Commission approved Resolution R‑25‑06 and authorized execution of Agreement DE136 with the Florida Department of Transportation for maintenance of designated state highway segments. The city’s parks and recreation and public works crews perform the work: large‑machine mowing, intermediate mowing, litter removal and mechanical sweeping along an aggregate of 16.66 miles of state right‑of‑way.

The city manager summarized the agreement’s history and finances: “Since 02/2004, the city's contracted with FDOT for the maintenance of 9 different sections of state highway that are located within the city... City is compensated annually for that work in the amount of $62,416. This is a 3 year agreement renewal, for a total value of $187,248 over that 3 year period.”

Staff recommended, and the commission approved, renewal of the contract in the form attached to the resolution and authorized the city manager to execute the agreement and take other necessary action. No public comments were offered during the hearing on this item.","The commission adopted Resolution R‑25‑06 approving agreement DE136 with the Florida Department of Transportation for mowing, street sweeping and related maintenance; the city will receive $62,416 annually and the three‑year agreement totals $187,248.",{"_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},6225566,"Winter Haven approves $347,761 in community grants; $5,000 for Lake Maud Cemetery restricted to research and investigation",2799,2789000,5588000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3536623-83dd6f6f80a15ee0c1d767f7d84b35e8&start=2789&end=5588","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3536623-83dd6f6f80a15ee0c1d767f7d84b35e8/thumbnail_2789000.jpg","/articles/6225566/Winter-Haven-City/Polk-County/Florida/Winter-Haven-approves-347761-in-community-grants-5000-for-Lake-Maud-Cemetery-restricted-to-research-and-investigation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6225566-c6977a934b8474d95493fddc924742c9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771183039&Signature=b3dXLHFQfZoCu6q4H1V3FHENl~yScRy2KxksKdMKpinT~uPEasHcUAkOvejNl4rOzrLz4Lo8f6DeSh10CkjtIFSyxkW2ngoC8pLwE1ZapXBitBZJykl227XuRD8lpytcrGVrdSHdSpkfiM9c52Ei8p9HGMSoeeqDiPHaVGX-0uAkrDCUK65xUseWx41vzeY3a6QmZBy7rDiAhg8FCyZP-dpahjv6FXg5ZjCPMtHKMaPBFuMNSfymgsy99X0DmVbV7vZfieLzP2wGtQcEkYi81hM0gw5rtaBY5qQhW6KtWrrONbvhIT28tT8NVinPqdKv~G3iE7ET3hJ1fN~tsbw3Vg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Winter Haven City Commission approved the grant review committee’s fiscal year 2025–26 recommendations, allocating $347,761 to local nonprofits and legacy organizations. The Florence Villa Community Association’s Lake Maud Cemetery revitalization project received $5,000, with the commission specifying the money be used only for investigatory and historical research (for example, ground‑penetrating radar and archival work) and not for repairs to individual graves or headstones without the expressed consent of descendants.

Katrina Hill, director of public affairs and communications, summarized the application process: the city received 76 applications, all applicants completed required training, staff screened submissions for completeness, and the grant review committee met May 9 and concluded deliberations May 16. Hill read the Florence Villa group’s project description from the application: “FVCA is currently in the process of cleaning headstones, uncovering buried grave artifacts, as well as securing and organizing records. The Black Cemetery Network is committed to assisting us in identifying the location of unmarked remains, which we will endeavor to identify.”

Commissioners and staff discussed long‑standing questions about Lake Maud Cemetery’s ownership, historical records and family notification. City staff reviewed historical research that shows the site dates to the early 1900s and that internal roadways were dedicated to the public; ownership of individual plots is generally with families who purchased them. Staff reported University of South Florida investigators have performed initial ground‑penetrating radar work at the site and that community members such as Robert Frazier and the late Christopher Darby previously maintained historical records.

Mayor Pro Tem Yates pressed for limits on how city funds can be used: “Can we stipulate the funds... only to not be used on headstone repair or anything like if it's ground maintenance or research, those sort of things. And if they wanna come back to us for a new request for headstone repair… then they need to come back with that request and have that process in place.” The commission voted to accept the grant committee’s recommendation and approved the Lake Maud allocation with the research‑only restriction and a requirement of documented family consent before any work on individual graves.

City staff said the Florence Villa Community Association is meeting with an attorney and working with the Black Cemetery Network and USF; staff recommended the committee return with progress updates. The commission noted the matter’s sensitivity, the need to document outreach to descendants and the possibility of seeking additional funding for more extensive preservation work.

Action summary: the grant package was approved as recommended; the Lake Maud award of $5,000 was approved with the stipulation that funds be used for investigatory and historical research only, and not for altering individual plots without family consent.","The commission adopted the grant review committee's FY26 recommendations totaling $347,761. The Florence Villa Community Association's Lake Maud Cemetery revitalization request received $5,000; the commission restricted those funds to investigatory and historical research and required family consent before any work on individual plots.",{"_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},6225571,"Winter Haven, transit agency discuss microtransit, circulator to link LEGOLAND, hospitals and downtown",1347,422000,1769000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3536623-83dd6f6f80a15ee0c1d767f7d84b35e8&start=422&end=1769","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3536623-83dd6f6f80a15ee0c1d767f7d84b35e8/thumbnail_422000.jpg","/articles/6225571/Winter-Haven-City/Polk-County/Florida/Winter-Haven-transit-agency-discuss-microtransit-circulator-to-link-LEGOLAND-hospitals-and-downtown","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6225571-1e9501ce2ea23f5699ec558ad894bcae/orig.mp4?Expires=1771183039&Signature=hs7Wxvr7Q1s4yiksP9dIQbDf~oAwLVauu-BtLvhb4~1vkgv~TL6ftaWyRb3AUZwZd0GxUefCNunPEIocRVDJuRTgihZxnfZ4WIlP3hLvGudORMikK-89tj2fbxvjn7rpZNNT7H465xACZ~PoYTGmnRoitAWqqT0bCF4ad1d1BlOqUj5-taXpNLSqaRYA9dBmWb9uYarnrDQez138QO8IinIMkgppoR9bIF8v~1bm-2GaUUbXW2P9zOIc43SPRaekzL4OhHDFxAZwvNoA8JKo6unYDuL52IkGap94guqTHr9mCuetdx3i71cI5j3lJaNAAMW-Eg0h4uuBT-BmDRrk7g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Erin Killebrew Kinlaw, director of external affairs for Citrus Connection and the Lakeland Area Mass Transit District, gave a mid‑contract ridership update and outlined options for microtransit and a compact circulator to improve connections between downtown Winter Haven, the medical corridor and regional destinations such as LEGOLAND.

Killebrew Kinlaw told the commission the system serving Winter Haven has eight fixed routes and separate paratransit (door‑to‑door ADA) services, and reminded commissioners that ADA eligibility is tied to proximity to a fixed‑route stop: “If there's a stop right outside of here at City Hall, anything that's within 3 quarters of 1 mile from that stop is ADA eligible.” She said Citrus Connection captures where riders board (not where they disembark) via smart‑card data and noted two lightly used routes, the 21X and 17X, pass through only a few miles of Winter Haven.

The discussion turned to a proposed smaller “circulator” route to serve the Florence Villa and downtown CRA areas and a microtransit or express connection to LEGOLAND. A city staff speaker described preliminary routing that would hit medical facilities (Bond Clinic, Winter Haven Hospital, Central Florida Healthcare), shopping (Publix, Aldi) and recreation centers, and suggested funding could come partly from the Florence Villa and downtown CRA budgets with limited general‑fund support when the route extends beyond CRA boundaries.

Commissioners asked about stops and transfers. Killebrew Kinlaw described the Route 30 LEGOLAND service: “It goes from our terminal here. It goes down First Street... it pulls into LEGOLAND. It comes out to Walmart. It goes into Walmart... the mall is our transfer point for other services that run along 27.” City staff said the proposed circulator would be a tighter loop through the core of downtown and Florence Villa; riders going farther out (for example, Cypress Gardens Boulevard Walmart) would transfer at the terminal.

On vehicle technology, Killebrew Kinlaw said Citrus Connection is discussing electric vehicles but not autonomous vehicles: “We have not talked about autonomous at Citrus Connection yet.” Commissioners also raised the idea of an app‑driven, on‑demand microtransit (“boutique” or “squeeze” services and small EV circulators similar to gem cars) that could reduce wait times downtown; staff said the agency is exploring options and federal clean‑energy grant funding had been cut, reducing near‑term outside dollars.

Citrus Connection recommended at least a one‑year trial to evaluate a new route’s viability and to smooth for seasonal ridership variation: “We don't give it less than a year,” Killebrew Kinlaw said, citing prior launches that needed more than a single season to stabilize ridership. Commissioners directed staff and Citrus Connection to continue study of the circulator and microtransit concepts and to return with cost and routing details for budget consideration and potential CRA funding.

Details to watch: where CRA budgets may be committed, whether the city approves any municipal contribution increases, and whether future federal or state grant opportunities reemerge to subsidize electric vehicle purchases.","Citrus Connection presented a ridership update and discussed plans with Winter Haven officials for a compact circulator to serve downtown and Florence Villa, and a possible express/microtransit connection to LEGOLAND. Commissioners pressed for service details, funding sources and a 12-month trial period for new routes.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission approves Lake Deere Townhomes final plat for 304 building lots on 51.7 acres

Winter Haven renews FDOT maintenance agreement covering 16.66 miles of state rights‑of‑way

Winter Haven approves $347,761 in community grants; $5,000 for Lake Maud Cemetery restricted to research and investigation

Winter Haven, transit agency discuss microtransit, circulator to link LEGOLAND, hospitals and downtown