Lake Wales

City Commission Regular Meeting

The City Commission will hold public hearings and second readings on several major land use changes, including the annexation and rezoning of 164 acres for the Hunt Bros mixed-use development and the 47-acre Hickory Ridge project. Other items include a first reading on a zoning change for a hotel, an ordinance for downtown historic district maintenance standards, and consent items such as a city hall generator contract and special event permits.

• Hunt Bros Mixed Use Annexation (Ordinances 2026-12, 13, 14) – 164 acres
• Hickory Ridge FLUM and Zoning (Ordinances 2026-15, 16) – 47 acres
• Contract award for City Hall Generator to Zabatt Engine Services (FEMA/CDBG grants)
• Ordinance 2026-20: Enhanced maintenance standards for Downtown Historic Overlay District
• Ordinance 2026-22: Zoning map amendment for hotel (2+ acres to C-3 Highway Commercial)

Citizens and Police Community Relations Advisory Board

The Citizens and Police Community Relations Advisory Committee will meet to approve minutes from May 18, 2026, and discuss police activity and general communication. The agenda contains no specific action items or public hearings.

• Approval of May 18, 2026 meeting minutes
• Discussion of police activity
• General communication

Community Redevelopment Agency

The Community Redevelopment Agency will review a historic restoration grant and several professional service agreements. The board is focusing on streetscape improvements and hotel development projects across the city.

• $50,000 facade grant for 101 East Park Avenue
• Agreement with Catalyst Design Group for 1st Street/Central Avenue Streetscape
• Addendum #3 with Chastain-Skillman/DCCM for 1st Street/Central Avenue Streetscape
• Colliers Project Leaders proposal for RAISE Grant Streetscape redesign
• Colliers Project Leaders proposal for Walesbilt Hotel and Stuart Avenue projects

City Commission Workshop Meeting

The City Commission will discuss several land-use amendments, including a 164-acre mixed-use annexation for Hunt Brothers and a 47-acre amendment for Hickory Ridge. The body will also review infrastructure contracts and updates to downtown maintenance standards.

• Annexation and zoning for 164+/- acres (Hunt Bros Mixed Use)
• Zoning map amendment for 2+/- acres to C-3 Highway Commercial
• Contract award to Zabatt Engine Services for City Hall generator
• Contract for Engineered Sprayed Solutions to coat 31 wastewater manholes
• Ordinance 2026-20 establishing enhanced maintenance standards for Downtown Historic Overlay District

The Commission held a workshop to review updates and funding requests from cultural groups, downtown revitalization efforts, and economic development initiatives. Presenters detailed operational costs, attendance metrics, and proposed budgets for the upcoming fiscal year. No motions were introduced, and no items were approved, denied, or tabled.

• No formal actions or votes were recorded during this workshop meeting.

Planning & Zoning Board

The Board will consider a major modification for the Hunt Club Grove residential project and a zoning map amendment for the Lake Wales Hotel. Additionally, members will review proposed amendments to Chapter 23 of the Land Development Regulations and consider two new board member appointments.

• Hunt Club Grove: Major modification to a Special Exception Use Permit
• Lake Wales Hotel: Zoning map amendment and major site plan (Ord. 2026-22)
• Ordinance 2026-21: Amendments to Chapter 23 Land Development Regulations
• Board Member Appointment: Ralph Marino
• Board Member Appointment: Robin Gibson

City Commission Regular Meeting

The Lake Wales City Commission will review ordinances regarding zoning changes for the Hickory Ridge development, library impact fees, and downtown maintenance standards. The body will also approve funding for street lighting and consider board appointments.

• Library Impact Fees ordinance (Ordinance 2026-11)
• Hickory Ridge Future Land Use and Zoning Map amendments (Ordinances 2026-15 & 2026-16)
• Downtown Historic Overlay District enhanced maintenance standards (Ordinance 2026-20)
• Funding for lighting at Hunt Brothers Complex
• Change order for railroad infrastructure removal on Market St.

The commission approved a change order not to exceed $295,421 for ADEC Construction to remove buried railroad timber blocking completion of the Orange Ave water main and streetscape projects. They also accepted the clean annual comprehensive financial report, reappointed four board members to various boards, and approved the consent agenda including funding for lighting at Hunt Brothers Complex.

• Approved $295,421 change order for railroad timber removal (4-0)
• Accepted annual comprehensive financial report and audit (4-0)
• Reappointed John Phillip Weikert & Manuel Grimaldo to Airport Authority (4-0)
• Reappointed Helen Walters to Housing Authority (4-0)
• Reappointed Jodie Schmidt to Library Board (4-0)
• Approved consent agenda including minutes and lighting funding (4-0)

Recreation Commission

This agenda is primarily procedural boilerplate with no substantive votes. The commission will approve minutes from its May 18 session and receive routine parks and recreation updates.

• Approval of May 18, 2026 meeting minutes
• Review of parks and recreation department updates

The Recreation Commission unanimously approved the minutes from May 18, 2026. No substantive policy decisions or approvals were made; the meeting consisted of staff reports and updates on upcoming events, programs, and facility projects.

• Approved minutes of May 18, 2026 (unanimous)

City Commission Workshop Meeting

The commission reviewed the annual financial report, a change order for railroad infrastructure removal, lighting funding for Hunt Brothers Complex, award of water treatment plant renovations, a resolution for non-ad valorem assessments, and an ordinance to allow library impact fees for collection items. No formal votes were taken; items are scheduled for future regular meetings.