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Lake Wales approves DOT maintenance agreements; city attorney warns of new ‘agricultural enclaves’ law
Summary
The commission unanimously approved two FDOT maintenance/compensation agreements; the city attorney warned of state legislation effective July 1 that could force some agricultural developments to be treated as conforming uses despite local zoning.
At its May 17 meeting the City Commission approved two resolutions authorizing the mayor to execute amendments to Florida Department of Transportation maintenance and compensation agreements.
Resolution 2026‑06 authorizes Amendment No. 11 to the traffic signal maintenance and compensation agreement (contract numbers read aloud during the meeting) between the City of Lake Wales and the Florida Department of Transportation. Resolution 2026‑07 authorizes a highway lighting maintenance and compensation agreement. Both measures were moved, seconded and approved by unanimous roll call.
During the appointments portion of the meeting the city attorney, identified in the meeting as Counselor Galloway, briefed commissioners on new state legislation (effective 07/01/2026) concerning "agricultural enclaves." Galloway said the change "allows agricultural owners to seek to have their property designated as, as agricultural enclaves," and that developments submitted under this clause "must be treated as a conforming use, notwithstanding the local government's comprehensive plan, future land use designation, or zoning." He said this will affect Development Services staff when large agricultural landowners submit plans.
Galloway framed the briefing as a heads‑up for staff and commissioners; no formal action on local code changes was taken during the meeting.
