Lake Wales Housing Authority seeks approval for Grove Manor redevelopment; planning staff recommends special-exception PDP

Autumn Paciello, growth-management planner for the City of Lake Wales, presented the Grove Manor redevelopment as a planned development (PDP) because the multifamily project exceeds 12 units and requires PDP review. Paciello said the Lake Wales Housing Authority, the property owner, requests approval of a special-exception use permit for a multiphase master plan on 24.74 acres at Sessoms Avenue.

Paciello said the existing site contains 69 single-story residential buildings and associated parking. The master phasing plan contemplates four phases. The presentation described starting construction with what the applicant labels Phase 2: four apartment buildings totaling 78 units, plus parking and a clubhouse containing a leasing office, fitness center, community room with kitchen and an outdoor plaza. Future phases may include a variety of housing types and Phase 4 is planned to be transferred to the city for a future project.

Paciello told commissioners that the site’s future land use is medium-density residential (MDR) and the zoning is R-3; the MDR policy allows up to 12 dwelling units per acre (about 296 units on…