Commission advances first reading to transfer Connor Road to city control; residents press for culvert and drainage assurances
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Summary
The commission approved Ordinance 2025-19 on first reading to transfer Connor Road into city jurisdiction at the developer's request; neighbors asked for clarity about culvert maintenance and flood risk, and staff said road design and initial construction costs fall to the developer while long-term maintenance depends on development arrangements.
The Lake Wales City Commission approved first reading of Ordinance 2025-19, a measure to transfer Connor Road (from Mountain Lake Cutoff Road north to the dead end) into the city's jurisdiction to allow developer-led improvements. The ordinance was read by title and advanced after resident testimony raised concerns about drainage and the condition of a culvert under Connor Road.
Jessica Brower, who identified herself as a Connor Road resident and family business owner, told the commission that the culvert beneath Connor Road is "vital to ensuring that Dance Lake does not overflow and flood the homes" and said the culvert carries continuous flow for two to four months of the year during the rainy season. "If that culvert fails, all our properties will be flooded," Brower told the commission, asking for assurances about ongoing maintenance and responsiveness.
Sarah Irvine, growth-management staff who has been working on the transfer, explained that when the parcel is developed the road will be built to city standards at the developer's expense and must pass public-works review before acceptance. "The cost of designing, building and maintaining the roads and culverts falls on the developer," she said at the meeting. Irvine added the maintenance arrangement after acceptance depends on the development structure; if a Community Development District (CDD) is in place, maintenance may remain with the development rather than immediately shifting to the city.
Commissioners told Brower staff would coordinate further meetings to address neighbors' technical questions and concerns. The commission took a roll-call vote and recorded unanimous support for the first reading.
The vote moves the ordinance forward; staff said they will work with the developer, the South Florida Water Management District (referred to in the meeting as "Swiftmud"), and affected residents to confirm contacts and maintenance responsibilities and to ensure drainage features meet city standards before final acceptance.