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Planning board approves Southeastern University early childhood center at 2128 S. Crystal Lake Drive
Summary
The Planning and Zoning Board approved a conditional use permit for Southeastern University's early childhood education center, allowing up to 190 children, subject to site-plan, transportation and recorded-agreement conditions and a contingency to incorporate any recorded access easement.
The City of Lakeland Planning and Zoning Board approved a conditional use permit to redevelop the vacant parcel at 2128 South Crystal Lake Drive as an early childhood education center operated by Southeastern University. The board approved conditions addressing enrollment limits, site design, traffic mitigation and recorded agreements; the motion passed on final consideration.
Mary Stahl, Community and Economic Development senior planner, presented the site and staff recommendations. She said the property is zoned RA-3 in the urban neighborhood context and that colleges or universities may be approved through conditional use. Staff described a proposed 13,660-square-foot, single-story building with a fenced outdoor play area, parking and on-site queuing for parent drop-off.
Applicant Matt Lukens, lead designer and project manager, said the facility will serve as a teaching lab for Southeastern University’s early-education majors and will initially enroll 154 children on day one with a maximum enrollment established by conditions at 190 children (state-allowed maximum based on square footage). Program director Theodore Church said hours would be roughly 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., with most student attendance between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., and the team estimated up to about 60 cars during peak drop-off periods.
Neighbors raised concerns about traffic, noise and a narrow informal access route behind several properties. Charlene Knepper (1603 Seneca Avenue) said traffic already backs up in front of her home and worried about congestion and property values. Donshea Kirkland (2108 South Crystal Lake) asked whether an existing informal drive and rear easement would remain accessible to adjacent homeowners.
Board conditions require the development be in substantial accordance with the submitted site plan and architectural attachments; limit enrollment to 190 children; require on-site queuing so vehicles do not queue in the public right of way; require an executed, recorded agreement with adjacent property owners to accommodate required parking, queuing and sidewalks prior to site-plan approval; require removal and restoration of an existing South Crystal Lake Drive driveway; construct a sidewalk on Smithfield Avenue and a rapid‑flashing beacon crosswalk across North Crystal Lake Drive to connect to SEU’s main campus; and require compliance with Polk County permitting, ADA routes and bicycle‑parking standards.
The staff report also added condition language to say that if a recorded access easement to adjacent properties exists, the applicant shall incorporate it into site design. Staff and the applicant agreed to research the easement and work with neighbors and the church to preserve access where possible; staff said title searches and recorded instruments would determine whether any formal easement exists.
The board approved the conditional use with the added language regarding access easement incorporation and other conditions. The decision includes a requirement that if ownership or use ceases for 365 days or longer, reestablishment would require City Commission approval.
