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Residents tell commission proposed 'Fantasy Island' lounge would worsen noise, safety and parking
Summary
Multiple nearby residents told Winter Haven City commissioners they oppose converting a corner property to a large-scale drinking establishment, citing past violence at the site, stray bullets, late-night noise and likely overflow parking onto neighborhood streets.
Several nearby residents told the Winter Haven City Commission they oppose a special-use permit that would allow a proposed large-scale drinking establishment to operate at a corner on 4th Street.
Theresa Hatcher, who identified herself as a long-time resident, said the corner lot has been vacant for decades and that past incidents make the site unsuitable for extended late-night hours. “On 07/04/2022 we had two shot, one kill on that corner,” Hatcher said, linking the location’s violent history to concerns about approving an establishment open late into the night.
Frances Campbell, who lives directly across the street, said she feared overflow parking would move into the open field in front of her house, and recounted a previous stray bullet coming through her front window. “It’s not safe with everybody going back and forth,” Campbell said, asking commissioners to deny the request.
Katrina Morales told the commission she was speaking for family members whose home sits immediately next to the proposed parking area and said her 90-year-old, blind mother would be disturbed by late-night noise. Morales said she had no objection to a restaurant but opposed designation of the site as a large-scale drinking establishment because of noise and nuisance risks.
Residents’ testimony was a central piece of the hearing; commissioners cited the public remarks when voting to deny the special-use request.
