Commission opens public hearing and holds first reading for Tigertown Sports Complex dormitory and training facilities

The Lakeland City Commission held the first of two required public hearings on an ordinance that would formally recognize existing outdoor recreation and public service facilities at Tigertown Sports Complex and allow construction of a new 156‑bed dormitory, a baseball training facility and continued operation of the stadium and fire‑training tower.

Chuck Barbee, director of Community and Economic Development, presented the plan and site images and said the proposed dormitory (building 23 in project materials) would be roughly 66 feet tall; that the stadium and other existing facilities exceed the 35‑foot height limit of the underlying RA‑4 zoning; and that the conditional use request would allow those uses and the proposed dormitory to continue. The proposal also includes demolition of some existing dorms, a media building and a hangar, and new meeting, dining and media spaces in the planned dormitory.

Barbee said off‑street parking and landscaping will be required to meet the land development code and that staff will continue to work with transportation partners and Citrus Connection on wayfinding and shuttle services. The commission opened a public hearing, took public comment, and closed the hearing; the item will return for a required second public hearing and consideration of adoption on January 21.

Action taken today: first reading and required public hearing held; no final adoption at this meeting. The commission will consider adoption on January 21, 2025.