Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Education Infrastructure topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission recommends Poinciana land-use change to allow new high school site; district expects near-term schedule
Summary
The commission recommended approval of a large-scale comprehensive-plan amendment to convert ~72 acres to institutional use for a potential high school in Poinciana; a school‑district representative said the district has identified the site and expects to break ground within a year, with construction taking 18–24 months.
Polk County planning staff and commissioners recommended approval for LDCPA 2025-6, a large-scale comprehensive-plan amendment converting roughly 72.27 acres near Bayberry Street and Lake Hackenhall from regional-impact/rural designation to institutional and utility enclave area to accommodate institutional uses including a potential new high school.
JP Sims (S23) presented the staff analysis and said the institutional designation is compatible with nearby infrastructure and allows for future school development; he noted available water and sewer from the regional utility and acceptable emergency-response distances. When asked about timing, a school-district representative (S24) said "the school district's already identified this project to be breaking ground within the year" and noted high schools typically take about "18 to 24 months" from grading to opening.
The commission voted in favor of the amendment on a roll-call motion; staff advised that road improvements and traffic-capacity upgrades will be needed as the project advances. No public opposition was recorded at the hearing.
