The most notable agenda item was the request by Regional Real Estate Management LLC to designate a recently annexed parcel with neighborhood support future land use and Commercial Highway C3 zoning. This parcel is located south of Dundee Road, east of Overlook Drive Southeast, and north of Highway 550. The 0.11-acre parcel, annexed into the city in May 2023, is intended for development as a small business office for a lawn care business. The board determined that the neighborhood support and C3 zoning designations align with the property’s location along a major highway corridor and existing city developments. The board’s staff confirmed adequate public infrastructure capacity for this development, recommending approval of the request.

During the public hearing for this request, a nearby resident inquired about the potential paving of the unimproved right of way adjacent to the parcel. The response clarified that upon development, improved access would be required through the site plan process.

In addition to the land use decision, the board addressed an administrative request to update the capital improvements element of the comprehensive plan. This update, a statutory requirement, involves revising the five-year schedule of capital improvements and relevant policies, including those related to the Florida Department of Transportation and Polk County’s transportation and school facilities programs. The total estimated capital spending in the updated schedule is approximately $482 million, funded through various sources, including general and enterprise funds, grants, and private contributions. The board unanimously approved this routine update.