[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6196029,"mediaKeyId","3858240-704b674e87a8552311eee7ce0e0c7dc3","parentId",3858240,"title","Resident urges strict enforcement of Planned Development guidelines, warns new construction undercuts resales","audioSeconds",298,"startMs",1173000,"endMs",1471000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3858240-704b674e87a8552311eee7ce0e0c7dc3&start=1173&end=1471","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3858240-704b674e87a8552311eee7ce0e0c7dc3/thumbnail_1173000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6196029/Florida/Resident-urges-strict-enforcement-of-Planned-Development-guidelines-warns-new-construction-undercuts-resales","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6196029-cdef27225edeadd949cc8a412db87802/orig.mp4?Expires=1770493253&Signature=mo2Sya2uum~pHJvwfZQjM6qdgVVgLDSyWbdqtcv5unTLcelxSieRooPMksi6L-KKLvFETfOj8aCFiHMfe77Hzh4rKbX0ZYqxHGVx-fQx1hHkmMvG1XPaJBQqA3vATFGO4pUfL-q837c71hSoP2qrvENRWnRXAZIv9Gq3xzbtqYM6F2aMp0AaWYcfZSy9Aqu7APit2EJwtAubTMEy8z6oCrHLD~c52G2IL~JXbD3NelNpn8rR9whckBoQtnhS6O-QYW32gA3VqblmsHQ-l~jCDL5BQAU6KYBAM~wEzX-itn6zbQSyPrndCN8--7WEZO-VV7a8KcnjhLliA2lpUOlbDw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Lake Wales, FL","date","2025-06-17T00:00:00Z","article","Charlene Bennett, speaking during public comments, criticized the commission's prior approval of exceptions to Planned Development (PD) guidelines for the Hunt Club project and warned that similar waivers are being granted in other developments.

\"Hunt Club didn't need aspirations for you to make it a desirable place. All it needed was for the commission to require that the project meet the PD,\" Bennett said. She listed PD elements she said were not followed, including avoiding a strict grid format, creating neighborhood-scale designs and adding creative green spaces and landscape islands to reduce monotony.

Bennett told commissioners that the exceptions granted to the Hunt Club developer produced a development she described as \"ticky tacky\" and not resident-friendly. She urged the commission to require compliance with PD guidelines in future projects rather than granting waivers.

Bennett also said new construction is affecting resale values in Lake Wales because large builders with in-house mortgage branches can offer lower down payments than local banks, making it difficult for sellers of existing homes to compete. \"The new construction, those big builders have their own mortgage branch, and they can offer lower down payments than our banks offer,\" she said.

Commissioner Gillespie said the Hunt Club approval occurred before he served on the commission but agreed that future waivers should be limited. \"I certainly do hope that we don't have all of these waivers that deprive our citizens of the protections that they should have,\" Gillespie said, and he said the commission should avoid waiving impact fees or other protections going forward.

The commission did not vote or adopt new PD rules at the meeting. Bennett's remarks were presented during the public comment period as a request for stricter enforcement of existing PD guidelines.

Meeting transcript excerpts: Bennett described PD guideline deviations and outlined concerns about resale competition from builders offering in-house mortgage products.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Commission Regular Meeting 06-17-2025","oneSentenceSummary","Resident Charlene Bennett told the commission that exceptions granted to the Hunt Club development's Planned Development (PD) guidelines produced substandard results and that new construction with builder mortgage branches is harming resale markets for existing Lake Wales homeowners.","taxTitle","City of Lake Wales, Polk County, Florida","taxId",71262,"location","Florida","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6196032,"City attorney: code board authorized foreclosure for 351 Lincoln Avenue; redevelopment talks ongoing",215,1387000,1602000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3858240-704b674e87a8552311eee7ce0e0c7dc3&start=1387&end=1602","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3858240-704b674e87a8552311eee7ce0e0c7dc3/thumbnail_1387000.jpg","/articles/6196032/Florida/City-attorney-code-board-authorized-foreclosure-for-351-Lincoln-Avenue-redevelopment-talks-ongoing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6196032-61a325476a568c1a49941a88c6cfae8a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770493253&Signature=i16-gIjiaX8Z~E3nOHvL2pz5HmyI46KV44V6FUM9e~jEZcif9zvQFx~bivYg7LhdOVdiuM7VaDZESNpPVBS0G~q4AbH46y9vcmO0f7PuiQ2c4oT-owMfQqcE1BX1RCTK8zvfE-gzU90vhgxj-awZbsZEBCzrdrpnQSLnH6edp0B9ZrMe5E2NMzzUq1hy5lC70IL6BB-uKjuKmjIdMuSWsgCuaGErXlvawFkLd9zaFfoXFoi5DXYGwqN4OjPxPCk7U8qTIkeJOAUC4VguUbzTPx0ArBZqiNfx-D0NB--RlJoxvvvwDalVK9d3jV0h71~SisnADqCsP3NR4FRz6hcUsQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Attorney told the City Commission that the code board has authorized a code lien foreclosure on 351 Lincoln Avenue, a commercial property, and that the city is negotiating a redevelopment agreement with the property's attorney rather than acquiring and demolishing the structure.

\"The code board recently authorized a code lien foreclosure at 351 Lincoln Avenue, which is a commercial property,\" the City Attorney said, and added that staff is \"working with the attorney for the owner to enter into a redevelopment agreement similar to what was used by the care center for the apartment complex on the church parking lot.\"

The attorney described the building as a \"2 story structure\" that has been \"dilapidated for a long time,\" with stairs that lacked railings. He said the code board's foreclosure authorization precipitated the current negotiations.

The City Attorney said staff and counsel \"have been discussing using letter bridal instead of depositing funds,\" and that they hope to bring a redevelopment agreement back to the commission for approval once negotiations are complete. The phrase was reported verbatim from the transcript; the transcript did not clarify what \"letter bridal\" refers to.

A commissioner asked for the property's location; the City Attorney identified it as 351 Lincoln Avenue and described the structure's condition. No commission vote or formal redevelopment agreement was taken during the meeting; the item was presented as an attorney update.

The commission received the update for informational purposes and did not adopt any ordinance or enter into a redevelopment agreement at the meeting. The City Attorney said he hopes to return with an agreement for the commission's approval once terms are finalized.

Meeting transcript excerpts: the City Attorney provided the update and described ongoing negotiations with the owner's attorney; commissioners asked clarifying questions about the property's condition and location.","The city attorney updated the City Commission that the code board authorized a code lien foreclosure at 351 Lincoln Avenue and that staff is negotiating a redevelopment agreement with the property's attorney to avoid city acquisition and demolition.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6196038,"Lake Wales business owner urges city action over noise and safety on Lincoln Avenue",169,886000,1055000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3858240-704b674e87a8552311eee7ce0e0c7dc3&start=886&end=1055","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3858240-704b674e87a8552311eee7ce0e0c7dc3/thumbnail_886000.jpg","/articles/6196038/Florida/Lake-Wales-business-owner-urges-city-action-over-noise-and-safety-on-Lincoln-Avenue","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6196038-f35e372f43a3f82e2ad580e02e1c6297/orig.mp4?Expires=1770493253&Signature=l-RdePuomExScJCLGRqeA0~20vhvdxdKoEUFw2V6gpBksGR2TEUppTEJ3DPqMf3iScrS6-FU9GZemV4Qb5hVYPaTYkO9bwU~PwKA4RjBjD5i9Y3h8h31uXn6svchAWWvHagb6fjpWMZhJfxhJw-01OErT2NMz7qrXKKH44L9cVcMKs8krb2~ibkKlF0ELx5~PAY5Ir6ywkjCtS58l9t8RtRr3Y4m-S5bpiycghF83oPo879SUiz0IgiOJhUwNCAyu8CYy-dIfhft2BX6goCqGU4Zl1aydtzBEDLdnmsDzr2YroCQbdr4YPCsyr-EmZDNbWMW8K0eZHbUGMBkBe2Wbg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Michelle Martin, a Lake Wales resident, business owner and founder and executive director of a local nonprofit, told the City Commission that recurring loud music, crowds and vehicle activity on Lincoln Avenue are making it difficult for her to serve clients and operate her business.

\"If I don't feel safe, how would my clients feel safe?\" Martin said during public comments, describing daytime and evening disruptions that began \"first on Fridays\" and have spread to other days of the week. She said officers have come after calls but the activity resumes once officers leave.

Martin said police directed her to fill out paperwork to enable quicker responses, and that Officer Bridal (\"I believe his name, Roden\") visited. She told the commission that the pattern of noise, traffic and what she described as public drug use is harming both nonprofit service delivery and private businesses on Lincoln Avenue.

Commissioner Dwight Gillespie asked whether Martin was referring to Friday Night Live events; Martin said the issue was broader than that. Commissioner Williams told Martin, \"I will personally be speaking with our city manager as well as our chief of police to see what we can do to ensure that you're safe and that your business continues to thrive.\" Commissioner Thompson and Deputy Mayor Gibson also said they supported follow-up and emphasized that Lake Wales residents deserve the same safety and business support as other parts of the city.

City staff did not bring a formal enforcement action during the meeting. Martin said officers have visited after calls but the disturbances resumed, and she asked the commission for interim measures while longer-term Lincoln Avenue plans proceed.

The commission did not take a formal vote on new rules or funding. Commissioners committed to follow up with the city manager and police chief about enforcement options and interim steps to protect businesses on Lincoln Avenue.

Meeting transcript excerpts: Michelle Martin spoke at length during public comments about safety and business impacts on Lincoln Avenue; Commissioners Gillespie and Williams responded with questions and commitments to follow up.

Next steps noted in the meeting: Police paperwork and incident reporting were discussed; Commissioner Williams said he would raise the issue with the city manager and police chief for potential operational changes.","At a City of Lake Wales commission meeting, resident and business owner Michelle Martin urged the commission to address recurring loud music, gatherings and vehicle activity on Lincoln Avenue that she says is harming businesses and client safety; commissioners pledged follow-up with police and city management.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Resident urges strict enforcement of Planned Development guidelines, warns new construction undercuts resales

City attorney: code board authorized foreclosure for 351 Lincoln Avenue; redevelopment talks ongoing

Lake Wales business owner urges city action over noise and safety on Lincoln Avenue