Planning panel approves rezoning at 1519 8th Street SW to allow duplex

The Winter Haven Planning Commission voted on Feb. 3, 2026 to approve a rezoning request for a vacant 0.48-acre parcel at 1519 8th Street Southwest, clearing the way for a residential duplex.

Chris Young, senior planner, presented the staff report and recommended approval. "Staff recommends approval of PD-26-07 and is forwarding to the City Commission for final action," Young said. Young described the site as having a future land use designation of Primary Mixed Use Hub, abutting single-family and some multifamily residential to the north, warehousing to the east and industrial storage to the south, with railroad tracks and a lake to the west. He said the parcel is currently vacant and that rezoning to R-3 would not change the property's maximum development potential.

The petitioner, identified in the record as Antonio Araque, requested changing the zoning from Light Industrial (I-1) to Multifamily Residential Low Density (R-3) for the 0.48-acre lot. According to staff, the proposed duplex is expected to place equal or fewer demands on public infrastructure than uses allowed under the current I-1 designation.

After staff presentation and an opportunity for public comment—no members of the public spoke—the commission closed the public portion, reopened the planning portion and voted. Chair (unnamed) moved to approve the rezoning; the motion was seconded and passed by voice vote. The chair declared, "Case is approved." Staff will forward the rezoning application to the Winter Haven City Commission for final action.

The commission’s decision was procedural approval of the rezoning request to be considered by the City Commission; no building permits or site plans were approved at the meeting, and the City Commission will make the final determination.