Winter Haven meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Winter Haven boards consider comprehensive plan, rezoning, and water budget

Winter Haven city boards met over the past two weeks to take up a range of items, including the city's long-range comprehensive plan, a rezoning request, and a proposed water department budget. No official decisions have been reported yet, as minutes from these meetings have not been published.

City Commission weighs 2050 plan and land-use map

At its July 27 meeting, the City Commission held public hearings on proposed updates to the 2050 Comprehensive Plan (ordinance O-26-16) and the 2050 Future Land Use Map Series (O-26-17). The agenda also included an amendment to industrial pretreatment ordinances (O-26-18), a task order for the Pollard Road Water Resource Facility expansion, and a Tampa Electric Company easement agreement.

On August 3, the commission considered a rezoning request for six parcels at 717 Sixth Street, SW, from Commercial-Heavy (C-4) to Planned Unit Development (PUD) (O-26-19). The same agenda included a second reading of the industrial pretreatment ordinance, design services for the 8th Street NW and Avenue L NW Complete Street Project, a scope of work for a Fire Assessment Study, and Change Order #4 for East Winter Haven Aquifer Recharge and Wetland Restoration consulting design services.

Planning Commission to hear zoning requests

The Planning Commission is scheduled to meet August 4 at 6 p.m. to consider two requests: an amendment to a planned unit development for AdventHealth Polk North, Inc. at 6945 Cypress Gardens Boulevard (41.4 acres), and a special use approval request by Vmar Dev, LLC for personal storage at Botticella Boulevard and Thompson Nursery Road (2.31 acres) in the C-3 zoning district.

Special hearing for drinking establishment

On July 28, the City Commission held a de novo hearing for Case Number P-26-02-S, a request by Samuel Anicette for special use approval for a large-scale drinking establishment at 221 Martin Luther King Boulevard, NE.

Water Department budget briefing

On July 31, the commission held a briefing workshop on the proposed Water Department budget for fiscal year 2026-2027.

CRA Florence Villa committee

The Florence Villa Advisory Committee met on August 3 to consider a residential improvement grant for 1923 Brown Street NE, appoint a chair, and review project, grant, and budget updates.

All of the above meetings are listed as agenda-only, with minutes not yet published. As a result, no votes or final actions are available at this time.

Coming up

No upcoming meetings are currently listed for the next 14 days.

Winter Haven Commission Reviews FY 2026-2027 Budget, Weighs 2050 Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Requests

Winter Haven's City Commission spent the last two weeks in a series of budget workshops and regular meetings focused on the proposed FY 2026-2027 budget, the 2050 Comprehensive Plan, and several zoning and infrastructure items. Because minutes have not yet been published for any of these meetings, outcomes and vote tallies are not available; the items below reflect what was on the agendas.

Budget Workshops

The Commission held budget briefing workshops on July 22 and July 23, where City Manager T. Michael Stavres presented the proposed FY 2026-2027 city budget. A separate workshop on July 31 covered the proposed Water Department budget for the same fiscal year. These were workshop and agenda review sessions; no formal decisions were expected.

2050 Comprehensive Plan and Future Land Use Map

The July 27 City Commission meeting included public hearings on two major land-use items: O-26-16, adoption of the 2050 Winter Haven Comprehensive Plan, and O-26-17, adoption of the 2050 Future Land Use Map Series. The same agenda listed O-26-18, amendments to the Code of Ordinances for Industrial Pretreatment including a fee schedule, and approval of Task Order #3 for the Pollard Road Water Resource Facility expansion (RFQ-24-18). A Tampa Electric Company (TECO) easement agreement for a location map review was also scheduled.

Rezoning and Infrastructure Items (July 31)

The July 31 City Commission meeting included a public hearing on O-26-19, a request to rezone six parcels at 717 Sixth Street, SW from Commercial-Heavy (C-4) to Planned Unit Development (PUD). The agenda also carried the second reading and public hearing for O-26-18, the Industrial Pretreatment ordinance amendments. Other scheduled items: Kimley-Horn design services for the 8th Street NW and Avenue L NW Complete Street Project; a scope of work from Raftelis Financial Consultant, Inc. for a Fire Assessment Study; and Change Order #4 for East Winter Haven Aquifer Recharge and Wetland Restoration consulting design services.

Special Hearing on Drinking Establishment

A Special City Commission meeting on July 28 was set for a de novo hearing on Case Number P-26-02-S, a request by Samuel Anicette for Special Use Approval for a large-scale drinking establishment at 221 Martin Luther King Boulevard, NE.

Planning Commission (August 4 Agenda)

The Planning Commission agenda, posted July 28, set an August 4 meeting for two zoning requests: an amendment to Planned Unit Development Ordinance O-24-47 for AdventHealth Polk North, Inc. at 6945 Cypress Gardens Boulevard (41.4 acres), and a Special Use Approval request by Vmar Dev, LLC for personal storage at Botticella Boulevard and Thompson Nursery Road (2.31 acres) in the C-3 zoning district.

Florence Villa CRA Advisory Committee

The Community Redevelopment Agency's Florence Villa Advisory Committee met July 29 to approve May 2026 minutes, appoint a chair, and review a residential improvement grant application for 1923 Brown Street NE. Updates on projects, grants, neighborhood services, and the budget were also on the agenda.

Coming Up

No upcoming meetings are listed for the next 14 days. Readers should check the city's official calendar for any newly posted sessions. All items above are drawn from agendas only; final minutes, votes, and dollar figures will be available once the city publishes them.

Winter Haven Roundup: 2050 Comprehensive Plan, Utility Contracts, and Bar Permit Hearing on Recent Commission Agendas

What happened this week

The City of Winter Haven posted agendas for five Commission meetings between July 13 and July 17, 2026. Minutes have not yet been published for any of these meetings, so the items below reflect what was scheduled for consideration — not what was ultimately decided. Vote tallies and final outcomes are not available in the current record.

2050 Comprehensive Plan and Future Land Use Map

The July 17 regular City Commission meeting agenda included public hearings on two long-range planning items:

• **O-26-16**: Adoption of the 2050 Winter Haven Comprehensive Plan.
• **O-26-17**: Adoption of the 2050 Future Land Use Map Series.

These documents guide future growth, land use, and development policy across the city. The agenda also listed O-26-18, proposed amendments to the Code of Ordinances for industrial pretreatment, and Task Order #3 for the Water Resource Facility at Pollard Road under RFQ-24-18. A Tampa Electric Company (TECO) easement agreement was also scheduled.

Development agreements and infrastructure contracts

The July 13 regular meeting and agenda review session covered several infrastructure and development items:

• Assignment of the Physicians Partnership developer’s agreement to **Coregro 550 Winter Haven, LLC**.
• Water and sewer connection fee and rate study with **Raftelis** (Item 10.F).
• Emergency sludge dewatering agreement with **Synagro South, LLC** for Wastewater Treatment Plant #3 (Item 10.G).
• Design services from **Kimley-Horn** for the Old Helena Road Complete Street project (Item 10.K) and for Old Helena Road and Cypress Gardens Road.
• Award of contract for the **North Lake Shipp Drive Complete Street Project** to Kimley-Horn.
• Authorization of 30% design consulting for the **E. Lake Howard Drive SW Complete Street Project**.
• Lake Maude Nature Park Docks & Boardwalk Repairs and Lake Hartridge Nature Park Dock Replacement.
• Rueben Williams Playground Pour-in-Place Rubber Safety Surfacing Renovation.
• Workforce Housing Agreement with **Gault Construction, LLC**.

Commissioner compensation and legal counsel

Two agendas listed a discussion on commissioner compensation under new business (Item 13.A on July 13). The July 13 and July 14 agendas also included authorization or appointment of legal counsel for matters involving Blue Line Aviation, LLC.

Annual Lakes Report

The Commission was scheduled to adopt the 2025 Annual Lakes Report under Resolution R-26-19 on July 14.

Special Use hearing for bar permit

A July 17 special meeting agenda set a de novo hearing on Case Number DN-P-26-02-S, a Special Use Approval request for a large-scale drinking establishment at 221 Martin Luther King Boulevard, NE. The request had previously been reviewed by the Planning Commission. The listed staff contact is Heather Reuter, Senior Planner.

Coming up

No upcoming Commission meetings are listed for the next 14 days. Residents should watch the city’s official agenda portal for newly posted meetings and for minutes from the July 13–17 sessions, which will confirm what was actually voted on and approved.

Winter Haven meetings cover street projects, housing, utility rates, and 2050 plan — but outcomes not yet confirmed

Winter Haven's City Commission and Planning Commission held three meetings over the past two weeks, with agendas covering complete-street projects, a workforce housing agreement, utility rate studies, commissioner compensation, and adoption of the 2050 Comprehensive Plan. Minutes have not yet been published for any of the meetings, so final actions, vote tallies, and dollar amounts approved are not yet available in the public record.

City Commission — June 23, 2026

The commission's consent agenda included multiple contracts and agreements. Listed items were:

• Award of contract to Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. for engineering services for the North Lake Shipp Drive Complete Street Project (10.A).
• Consulting agreement with Kimley-Horn for 30% design of the E. Lake Howard Drive SW Complete Street and utility improvements (10.B).
• Transportation consulting services agreement with Kimley-Horn for a Transportation Safety Action Plan (10.C).
• Workforce Housing Agreement with Gault Construction, LLC (10.I).
• Lake Maude Nature Park docks and boardwalk repairs and Lake Hartridge Nature Park dock replacement (10.G).

Because minutes are not yet published, it is not confirmed which items were approved, amended, or deferred.

City Commission — July 2, 2026

Commissioners were scheduled to discuss possible changes to commissioner compensation under new business (Item 13.A). The consent agenda included several development and utility items:

• Assignment of the Physicians Partnership developer's agreement to Coregro 550 Winter Haven, LLC.
• Water and sewer connection fee and rate study with Raftelis (Item 10.F).
• Emergency sludge dewatering agreement with Synagro South, LLC for WWTP #3 (Item 10.G).
• Kimley-Horn design services for the Old Helena Road Complete Street project (Item 10.K).

The agenda also listed authorization of legal counsel for matters involving Blue Line Aviation and adoption of the 2025 Annual Lakes Report. Outcomes are not yet confirmed pending publication of minutes.

Planning Commission — July 2, 2026

The Planning Commission was set to hold public hearings on two major items:

• A request to rezone 4.24 acres at 717 Sixth St SW from Commercial-Heavy (C-4) to Planned Unit Development (PUD), case P-26-19.
• Adoption of the 2050 Winter Haven Comprehensive Plan and Future Land Use Map Series, cases P-26-16 and P-26-17.

The commission was also scheduled to consider approval of the June 2, 2026 meeting minutes. As with the City Commission meetings, minutes from this session have not yet been published, so recommendations or decisions are not confirmed.

What this means for residents

The items on these agendas touch street design and safety, housing, park repairs, water and sewer rates, and the city's long-term land-use plan. Residents who want to know what was actually decided should watch for the published minutes, which will record votes and any approved dollar amounts.

Coming up

No upcoming meetings are listed for the next 14 days, according to the agendas and schedules provided.

City Commission Agendas Include Roadway Design Contracts, Commissioner Pay Discussion

The Winter Haven City Commission held back-to-back meetings on June 23 and July 2, and the Planning Commission convened on July 2. Agendas covered a slate of transportation engineering contracts, a developer agreement reassignment, a potential update to commissioner compensation, and a proposed 2050 comprehensive plan. All three meetings were agenda-only at press time; no minutes have been published.

City Commission – June 23

The commission was scheduled to consider a consent agenda that included multiple contracts with Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. The largest was an award for engineering services on the North Lake Shipp Drive Complete Street Project (item 10.A). A consulting agreement with the same firm would cover 30-percent design of the E. Lake Howard Drive SW Complete Street and utility improvements (10.B), and a transportation consulting services agreement would support a Transportation Safety Action Plan (10.C).

Other consent items: a workforce housing agreement with Gault Construction, LLC (10.I) and park improvements—dock and boardwalk repairs at Lake Maude Nature Park and a dock replacement at Lake Hartridge Nature Park (10.G).

The complete street projects, if approved, would advance design work on three corridors used daily by motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians. The workforce housing agreement could affect the availability of entry-level homes. No contract dollar amounts were listed in the agenda summary.

City Commission – July 2

New business included a discussion on commissioner compensation (item 13.A). The agenda did not specify a proposed change, but any adjustment would affect the city’s budget for elected officials’ salaries.

In other business, the commission was to consider assigning the Physicians Partnership developer’s agreement to Coregro 550 Winter Haven, LLC—a move that could shift control of a planned development. Consent items included a water and sewer connection fee and rate study with Raftelis (10.F), an emergency sludge dewatering agreement with Synagro South, LLC for Wastewater Treatment Plant #3 (10.G), and Kimley-Horn design services for the Old Helena Road Complete Street project (10.K). The rate study could lead to future adjustments in utility bills, and the emergency repair is aimed at keeping the wastewater plant operational.

Planning Commission – July 2

The Planning Commission held public hearings on two major items. Case P-26-19 requested rezoning 4.24 acres at 717 Sixth St SW from Commercial-Heavy (C-4) to Planned Unit Development (PUD). The second, cases P-26-16 and P-26-17, sought adoption of the 2050 Winter Haven Comprehensive Plan and Future Land Use Map Series. The comprehensive plan, if adopted, will guide land use decisions, annexations, and zoning for years. The commission also planned to approve June 2 meeting minutes.

Coming up

No public meetings of the City Commission or Planning Commission were listed for the next 14 days as of July 5. Residents can monitor the city’s website for newly posted agendas and minutes.