Northwest residents urge pause on duplex/triplex development and press city for Frasier Field upgrades
Summary
Residents and neighborhood leaders told the commission they are concerned about new duplex and triplex development in the Northwest section of Lake Wales, sought clearer public-notification and planning, and asked the city to prioritize Frasier Field upgrades and a neighborhood football field.
Several Northwest Lake Wales residents used the public-comments portion of the meeting to ask the City Commission to review ongoing development practices and prioritize neighborhood recreation upgrades.
Dwight Wilson, a long-term resident of Jewell Street, told commissioners he values development but said multiple duplex and triplex projects are being targeted to his neighborhood without homeowner notification. "There seems to be a lot of development of triplex, duplex, multiplex families being targeted in Northwest Section of Lake Wales," Wilson said. He said four such projects have been proposed on his street and asked the commission to "put a moratorium on development in the duplexes, triplex in the Northwest section till you can really understand" the cumulative effects and whether the process reaches the commission.
Michelle Threatt, president of the Northwest Neighborhood Association, said neighborhood events already will rely increasingly on Frasier Field because other spaces may be lost to Lincoln Avenue development. Threatt described plans for a fourth annual back-to-school backpack event this Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon at Frasier Field and said she will seek city support for upgrades to create a football field for local youth, noting coaches and families need local practice space.
Resident Becky Weingroup urged the commission to adopt a simple staff follow-up policy so residents have written email confirmation after meetings with staff; she said that would create a clear record of commitments and reduce long-term confusion. The commission did not take formal action on a moratorium or a field upgrade during the meeting but directed staff to provide clarification and follow up with residents who raised concerns.
Staff and commissioners said they will provide more detail about the permitting and notification process for housing projects in the Northwest neighborhood and will coordinate with neighborhood leaders about Frasier Field needs and potential upgrades.
