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Lake Wales commission approves multiple annexations, land‑use and zoning changes and airport grant agreements
Summary
The City Commission approved a package of annexations, future land use and zoning ordinances affecting roughly 558, 173, 10 and 5‑acre parcels, and authorized two Florida DOT airport grant agreements for the municipal airport's wildlife plan and AWOS/beacon work.
The City Commission of the City of Lake Wales unanimously approved a series of annexations and related comprehensive plan and zoning map amendments and voted to accept two Florida Department of Transportation airport grants.
Clerk read multiple ordinances by title that together annexed and rezoned several parcels: a large 558‑acre future land use and zoning package north of State Road 60 (Ordinances 2024‑19 and 2024‑20), a group of roughly 173 acres south of Passion Play Road and east of Lake Bello Road (Ordinances 2025‑21, 2025‑22 and 2025‑23), and smaller annexations of approximately 10 and 5 acres (Ordinances 2025‑30, 2025‑31, 2025‑32 and 2025‑29). Commissioners moved and approved each item after confirming there were no public speakers.
Votes at a glance: - Ordinance 2025‑28 (FY 2024‑25 budget amendment, first reading): approved by roll call. - Ordinance 2025‑26 (annexation & legal description correction under section 171.044, Florida Statutes): approved (second reading/public hearing). - Ordinance 2024‑19 / 2024‑20 (≈558 acres, Future Land Use and Zoning map amendments): approved (second reading/public hearing). - Ordinances 2025‑21 / 2025‑22 / 2025‑23 (≈173‑acre annexation and associated FLU/zoning): approved. - Ordinances 2025‑30 / 2025‑31 / 2025‑32 (≈10‑acre annexation and FLU/zoning) and Ordinance 2025‑29 (≈5‑acre annexation): approved. - Resolution 2025‑24 (FDOT grant FP#45546019401 – Lake Wales Airport Wildlife Hazard Management Plan): approved. - Resolution 2025‑25 (FDOT grant FP#45546119401 – AWOS‑3 and beacon installation): approved after clarifying that AWOS is an automated weather observation system.
City Attorney update: The city attorney told the commission that Abuland LLC purchased several contiguous lots in Longleaf Business Park and will bring CRA items next week asking to remove development standards on conveyed lots and to seek a statutory release of mineral rights under section 270.11, Florida Statutes. The attorney said the company plans to manufacture aluminum windows.
Why it matters: The annexations and map amendments extend city jurisdiction and permit planned development and industrial uses on parcels previously under county designation, positioning the city to manage zoning, permit review and infrastructure for future development. The FDOT grants support airport safety and equipment upgrades.
Next steps: The CRA will see related items next Tuesday and the commission will later consider the requested mineral‑rights release as recommended by the city attorney. Staff will manage required filings (e.g., certified copies with county clerk and Department of State) as part of the annexation process.
Ending: With no public comment on these items, the commission completed roll‑call votes on each ordinance and resolution and moved to other business.
