The most notable topic discussed was the request by PTP Real Estate Enterprises LLC to assign neighborhood support future land use and Commercial Highway C3 zoning to an annexed parcel on Sage Road. This approval sets the stage for the development of a medical office. During the meeting, a representative from PTP Real Estate confirmed the intention to develop the site as a medical center but noted that the C3 zoning would allow for a variety of other commercial uses. This flexibility raised concerns from a member of the public, who expressed apprehensions about the potential for less desirable businesses, such as liquor shops and smoke shops, to occupy the site. The board clarified that while the site is intended for a medical office, the zoning allows for other possibilities, which will be determined during the site plan review process.

Further public concerns were raised regarding the potential impact of the development on local traffic, particularly the entrance to the site and its proximity to residential access roads. The Planning Board assured the community that these considerations would be addressed during the site plan review stage, where details such as the entrance location and traffic flow will be finalized in coordination with relevant state and county road authorities.

In addition to the primary zoning discussion, the board addressed an administrative request to amend the 2035 Winter Haven comprehensive plan. These amendments include potential alignments for the proposed Central Polk Parkway East, a future transportation project designed to support growth in the region. The board discussed the necessity of preserving future transportation corridors and the inclusion of these corridors in the city’s comprehensive plan. This project aims to improve connectivity and reduce traffic congestion by providing a more direct route for semi-trucks and other heavy vehicles, thereby potentially alleviating local traffic issues.