Board of County Commissioners on 2025-01-07 9:00 AM

Good morning everyone. Let's get started on the January 7th, 2025 Board of County Commissioners meeting. Will everybody stand for the implication and please remain standing for the pledge. Good morning. Please pray with me. Heavenly Father, as we enter into this new year with all of its opportunities and yes, all of its challenges, we trust that you are always with us. We find peace in knowing that you are close and with you we can be strong and courageous. Thank you for being our guide and our protector throughout this year and I ask this prayer in Jesus name. Amen. We don't have any presentations, ceremonial proclamations, requests from the general public. This is the time the general public can come forward. I've got a few that signed up. I'm going to call your name out. When you get up front, please come to the center and state your name and address and you'll be given three minutes. Leroy Mananin. How do you pronounce that? Mananin. I was close. You were there almost. Way too many N's, not enough vowels. Good morning commissioners. I appreciate the moment that I have. I also want to say thank you to Ms. Becky Troutman for speaking for me last month. I'm coming to speak for you guys today. I'm a small business owner that owns a bike shop down by Lois Hart Park. During the storms, we've now gone for about four months of profit losses because you guys have allowed FEMA to use this park as a site to get rid of debris. With these profit losses, we've had to let go staff. It's been kind of a big hit for us. The other thing that has happened to this park is that this one park alone has 10 amenities that this community uses seven days a week. You're keeping out people from using these and we would like the board to take a time with your affiliates to try to find another location, not use our county parks. We understand that this is a time of need to get rid of this debris, but can we look for another source or another piece of property or something that can be done so us as small business owners and also our community doesn't lose the opportunity to use what you guys have given us to use. That I would appreciate. My other question that I have towards the board just to move on is asking the question about e-bikes and what would is the county looking at any type of regulations or structure of how they would view an e-bike and usage on our sidewalks, our county roads, and even in our housing communities. So I don't know if that has been something that has been talked about or brought up, but if this is something that the county is looking to pursue, I would like to try to help out in some guidance because there are classifications and rules of what an e-bike is and how it can be used. I would just hate to see that we would structure a policy so strong that we would not be able to service the community or the community members would not be able to use their bicycle because we strong-handed ruled really quickly. So any questions for me? I apologize. Anybody got any questions? Thank you. We'll take that in consideration. Thank you very much. All right. I have a Linda Fyfe. Is this about the land use that they need to speak to? Good morning. I'm Ken Henry, 366 Terranova Boulevard in Winter Haven and I represent the Regional Community Council in Winter Haven. Since its inception over three years ago, our community organization has had the goal of working with the county, with the cities of Lake Wales and Winter Haven on areas that are of importance to us and our 15 regional communities along Thompson Nursery Road and Eloise Loop Road. Attending your meeting this morning was not our preferred way of addressing this topic. Most of what we had to say and what we had addressed or hoped to address was included in my December 18th letter to Commissioner Wilson, which was copied to all of you. That letter described what we were hoping to get across and that was our unanimous approval proposal of the November 14th public meeting where the design proposal 2 was introduced to us that removed the bike path out of the travel portion of the roadway. Our goal was simply to meet with the county and discuss the particular options of that and we attempted to do that with a meeting with Jay Jarvis. We had no response. We then reached out to the board and no response. We then reached out to our community residents and asked them to express their opinion and we did not give them any scripted comments to follow. And unfortunately, I think what happened was many of those folks lended their opinions about a golf cart path and a golf cart path was never part of our agenda. We were in favor of the multi-use path that was in that proposal 2 design. Removing the bike path from the roadway, in our opinion, is a far safer option and brings in the possibility of more use of a recreational path along the roadway in a safer position for folks with perhaps mobile disabilities. It could be bicycles, it could be scooters, it could be wheelchairs, powered or manual. It could be other mobility assistance devices that couldn't be used in a bicycle path but could be used in that multi-use path. That was our objective and that was our reason for being so much in favor. And I just wanted to clarify one thing that in Jay Jarvis' response, he seemed to think that we were advocating for that golf cart path. Only three of the communities that we represent currently are age-restricted and all the new developments along Thompson Nursery Road are not age-restricted. They are open and that will be more families and children, new school being developed along that roadway as well. So that's our advocacy for that program and there are other folks from the Regional Community Council to speak and I'll sit down. Thank you. Thank you, sir. Okay. Linda, did you? Okay. And what's your name, sir? And you've got three minutes. Name and address, please. Okay. Good morning, Commissioners. My name is Alex Vogt. I live at 5300 Hogan Lane, Winter Haven. That's in Lake Ashton, an OR 55 community. I'm a retired civil engineer that worked for over 25 years for the New Hampshire Department of Transportation as a highway design engineer and project manager. I had many projects, some with multi-use paths along them. They provide a much safer alternative and means for transportation for all users. Mr. Jarvis sent a letter, an email to us, where he didn't endorse the use of a multi-use path, as Ken mentioned, because of the golf cart use. There's many other uses for a multi-use path that makes it much safer. Mr. Jarvis said that the shoulder and six-foot sidewalks on both sides will provide a reasonable means to accommodate walkers and bicyclists. I disagree. I'm a bicyclist. I ride a bicycle quite often. And to ride a bicycle along Thompson Nursery Road with a 45-mile-an-hour speed limit and cars going 50 or higher, just is not safe. I would not ride along Thompson Nursery Road. It might be okay for the very experienced bicyclists to do that, but not for me or the children. That's why a multi-use path would be desired. There are many state laws that do encourage the use of multi-use paths and talk about shared paths discussed in Chapter 316. And they talk about shared-use paths or paved facilities separated from the vehicles that provide open space and better safety for the users. In addition, multi-use paths are already provided or planned along the eastern extension of the Polk Parkway from Lakeland to Route 60. The state DOT is planning a multi-use path to cross Polk County. The city of Lake Wales is building a multi-use path to connect Lake Wales to Tower Boulevard, just to name a few. The new development, Terra Vera, with almost 5,000 units on the south side of Thompson Nursery, will have a multi-use path along its Spine Road. But once you get to Thompson Nursery, where do you go without a multi-use path to continue? We need a multi-use path along Thompson Nursery Road to accommodate all users. The transportation system needs to accommodate all users that will want to visit neighbors or go to the school or Publix, which is planned along Thompson Nursery. New forms of transportation, such as electric bikes and accessible devices, allow for better use. It's all about safety, being environmental and economically friendly. Providing multi-use paths, preferably with separation, is the right thing to do. Thank you. Thank you, sir. Ms. Fyfe? Good morning, commissioners and staff. My name is Linda Fyfe. I live at 3691 Plymouth Drive in Winter Haven. That's part of the Traditions Neighborhood, and I'm the vice president of the board there. I've worked with the Regional Community Council the last three years. We face the development and the design issues that are affecting us for Thompson Nursery Road expansion. And on behalf of the almost 600 homes that I represent, and the almost 6,000 homes that are along the Thompson Nursery Road project area, I speak to you again today on safety. Ken and Alex have spoken regarding the design issues, and there have been three community meetings where we've been invited. And I quote from the invitation, feedback is encouraged, and comment forms will be provided. After public input and approval by the board of county commissioners is received, a recommended option will provide a final design and construction. However, public input serves no purpose without action taken by the county commissioners and the Department of Roads and Drainage. Overwhelming community support has been vetted, you know, through our organization, the Regional Community Council. That is why I came here this morning. Every community along this seven-mile Thompson Nursery Road widening project incorporates, and I have packets for you I'll give. If you haven't seen option one and two, option two supports that multi-use shared path that we've talked about in the last two people that have spoken. Safe travel, accessibility for walkers and bikers, there are now three elementary schools along this corridor with another one to be built in the Via Tierra area that Alex spoke about right off Thompson Nursery Road. We're not talking about adults using this area only, we're talking about children, your children, my children, our grandchildren. You cannot have a child on a bicycle not separated from traffic moving 45, 55, 65 miles an hour. The dump trucks that are using Thompson Nursery Road to move fill is astronomical. I follow them at 55, 60 miles an hour. Take your child and put them on that path. Not only is that bicycle path there, but immediately after the bicycle path is the sidewalk. If we go to the multi-use path, we have a separation of seven feet, eight feet with the grass median, and then we have the multi-path to be used. We have a corridor safety for all people using this area. The other thing along here is that absolutely nothing changes in the amount of asphalt and paving that is done because we take the area that was the bicycle path and we move it and we add that width to the multi-use. The one thing that we do incorporate on the 120 feet, which is the width of the corridor, is that we lessen the mowing area that will impact us over the course of the year on Unkeep. So please make the correct choice as we move forward on the design. Let's not second guess what we should have done five years from now as we look at this road. Again, our groups are available to meet with you at any time. We're here to serve just as you are. Not only you, but our communities. And I do have some packets for the commissioners if you'd like to take them home. Thank you again. Thank you, ma'am. Tom. Tom Palmer. Good morning, commissioners. Tom Palmer, 1805 26th Street Northwest, Winter Haven. Chair of H. House here. I was wondering when we'll get an update on the status of B.S. Ranch and Farm in this context. You've been spending a lot of money on restoration projects in the Upper Peace River, Man Ranch, Wilson Ranch, you or somebody else, Bear Branch, Revegetation, Lake Hancock. And if the testimony I heard several months ago is correct, the B.S. Ranch is shut down. So I guess the question is what happens to all the waste, which is not far from Saddle Creek, which is a tributary. It would be great to know what's going on out there and how that affects water quality. I'm not expecting an answer today, but it would be something that might be worth having a discussion sometime in the future when you get the facts. I know that we're, you know, it is shut down and we're in that process now of seeing what is going on. I beg your pardon? I say it is shut down now and things are happening and we're looking at it to see what is going to wind up with that. So, yeah, once we get some sure enough answers on a decision, what will happen to all that, we'll make it available. I don't think we know. Okay, I guess the other part is the other discussion that Jeff Mann brought up about, you know, a lot of septic haulers and others were taking their material there and the question of, you know, what happens now, whether they still have to go to Hillsborough County or whether they don't. Yeah, that's, that's been going. Yeah. And, and guess what? The septic tanks waste is getting moved and it's not a, we haven't had to shut the county down because the septic tankers didn't have anywhere to go. No, I understand. I just think it's more expensive. If Jeff. Yeah. As soon as we know something, we'll, I mean, we'll, we'll let it, let it out. Okay. We don't have an idea because it's just shut down. It's still in the, in the process. All right. Thank you. Carpenter. I think that's pronounced right. Yep. Carpenter. Yes, ma'am. Yes. I'm in Greenleaf and I'm here to urge you to support, uh, the Greenleaf development. Uh, I've been in Greenleaf for. Mr. Chair, I think we, we have a public hearing. Out of order here. Yes, ma'am. Unless you want to speak now, but there's going to be a presentation a little bit that will allow everyone to speak. I would prefer to wait until. Yes, ma'am. So anyone that's here to speak about Greenleaf, it will be, I think the second public hearing when we begin those. Yep. All right. Greenleaf. Ms. Richards. Good morning. I'm a long ways. Uh, running late. Least nature. And anticipate. Cassandra Richards, two, three, five, seven. Freely on the road, uh, Lake West Florida. I didn't anticipate running into the school buses again. So I got to change my timing and make sure I get here on time from now on. But I'm here because the dump trucks are still flying down freely on the road. I did speak to someone in the Department of Transportation. And I'm going to be working with them trying to get a light at Lewis Griffin and Highway 60 that is needed overdue. Um, I did read the, uh, article, Mr. Brasswell, about your frustration. And I, and I really agree with you. Roads shouldn't be shut down for all this development that's going on. And you all just going to have to step up, make some changes because changes are coming. And when they are doing all of this building, although the city is doing it, it's affecting the county. And the county going to have to make these changes and require them to put those lights up before they can start building and doing some things that will ease the Department of Transportation as well as fulfill the requirements that needs to be done for all of this development to come up. Because those dump trucks, probably on the timeline, so they're going to speed through there. Children are playing. Somebody's going to get hurt. They need their own space. They don't need to be coming through a residential neighborhood. Now, one thing I do know that you all can come together and make that change about Freelander Road being a collector's road. I know that can be changed because they have a road they can go down to get to 60 and that's Lewis Griffin Road that does not affect a residential neighborhood. So I'm asking you all to either make that a non-collectible road where speed bumps can be put down to slow that traffic down. I'm not saying I don't want them to come through. I want them to slow down. So they have to slow down because children are there playing. They have nowhere else to play. So I'm at your mercy. Please make Freelander Road a non-collectible road where we can put speed bumps down to slow that traffic down if they're not going to put a light at Lewis Griffin and Highway 60. Because I see where a lot of them probably would go down Lewis Griffin. They'll come up Lewis Griffin because they're turning off a 60 coming up. But it's hard getting across 60 going down. So I'm at your mercy to please help us and get something done. And I'm going to work with Department of Transportation continuously to see if I can get something done on that end as well. I'm not beating up on you. I'm just at your mercy. Thank you, ma'am. All right, that's all everybody that we had signed up. Does anyone else wish to come up and speak? You know the deal. I do. I'm Glenn Lawhorn, 11,000 Jim Edwards Road. I wanted to talk to you all and see if we could get some sort of discussion going about the process between the applicant for development and the public input side, like we have a hearing today, obviously. I just feel like it's so one-sided. The applicant obviously gets the floor for ever how long they want to have it. But then the general public, even the people for Greenleaf and everybody, we get three minutes to try to destroy what they're putting out there that's going to change our lives. And I'm just wondering if there's a way that we can change that process. We even have a debate over like a court case. Have people show up and present their case and let's see where the cards lay from there. What do you think about that? No comment. I can tell you what I think about it. Yeah, I was thinking. Go ahead. Mr. Brazel's going to. It's like I've advocated from day one. You do it. Everybody should do it. Come see us. When you stand up here and repeat the same thing, the person before you and the person before you, even if you tell me something that I didn't know about the case already, you know, it's so far into the process. What I've found, the people who have come to me with issues have enlightened me on things I was totally unaware of. When they stand up here in front of us, they're nervous. They don't speak in public, you know, on a regular basis. They don't necessarily make the point they want to make. It's much, in my opinion, it's much better to come to us, schedule, you know, on your time, you know, and come talk to us. And then you've got all the time you want. I mean, the applicants always do that. Right. And you do that. And I know exactly where you are on this, but I don't know where any of those guys are. And now they're going to come up here and say the same thing several times. But it doesn't necessarily, you know, accomplish what they want to accomplish. I think sitting down with people prior is the way to go. Right. I mean, I get that side of it. This really doesn't have anything to do with Greenleaf because we've been associated, our group. We had the longest de novo hearing ever in the history of Polk County back in 2008, 7, PDO 603 or 02. Anyway, we were in here. Is that a record you're proud of? I am because we won. But we had to file the de novo and start that process where I feel like something like that could be done better. I understand what you're saying about showing up, but most people don't know that they can come see y'all. They just don't. Well, that's, I mean, they should know that because that's why we're elected. Right. That's why we're here. And that's why we have, you know, anybody can make an appointment. Anybody can call. Right. And, I mean, and I go along with Bill on this. Uh, I've, I've been here long enough to nap now that there's, there's a lot of, a lot can be gained by coming and sitting down and talking to us and us talking about what your problem is. And you telling us what, and we'll tell you what our problem. So, you know, I appreciate what you're saying. And like you said, do you, any consideration? Well, we just did. And, uh, uh, we have a process and that's what we're going to do. Okay. That's, I just want to put that out there. I, I meant, meant to mention that to y'all when we were here Friday and. Yep. You should have. And we'd have stayed your time right here. I, I, yep. I had my agenda as Bill calls it my agenda. You had other things on your mind. That's why. I did. We'll cross that bridge in just a little while. I appreciate it. Yeah, we will. Thanks. All right. Anyone else? Okay. Being we don't, we're going to close that and let's see here. Need to approve a consent agenda. That's next. Motion for approval. Second. Uh, I've got a motion and a second. Any further discussion? All in favor? Uh, opposed? Uh, motion carries. Ms. Butterfield. Good morning. Happy new year. Happy new year. So today I have for you to approve and ratify payroll checks. Number zero six zero three six five five through zero three six seven three in the amount of twenty seven thousand forty seven dollars and twelve cents. We have two thousand seven hundred fifty five direct deposits and the amount of four million one hundred sixty two thousand nine hundred forty nine dollars and eighty four cents dated December twenty seven twenty twenty four. We have wire and electronic fund transfers of fifty nine million three hundred fifty six thousand ninety one dollars and eighty eight cents dated January 17th twenty twenty four through January 6th of twenty twenty five. We have invoice checks numbered four seven four five four four through four seven five five four one totaling forty three million seventy four thousand eight hundred and four four dollars and twenty nine cents that are dated December 17th twenty twenty four through January 6th of twenty twenty five for you to approve and ratify please. Motion for approval. Second. Got a motion and a second. Any further discussion? All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Motion carries. Yes. Today I'm excited to be starting my new term of office as the Polk County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller. All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Motion carries. Anything else? Yes. Um, today I'm excited to be starting my new term of office as the Polk County Clerk of the of the Circuit Court, and Comptroller, and it's a privilege to serve in this role. I'm certainly honored that the community has entrusted me with these responsibilities and duties that are delegated to the Clerk and Comptroller's office. I truly love my job. It's an honor and one that I hold with a lot of respect, and I look forward to serving this next four years. And today, I will be joining my fellow constitutional officers in taking the oath of office. We'll have a ceremony at 4 p.m. during the Investors Shure Ceremony. It will be live-streamed on PGTV. Thank you very much, PGTV, for handling that. So I invite all of our community to join to watch the ceremony, and you can view it on www.polk-county.tv. I think that's right, PGTV. I hope I have that right, but, Lauren? Just Google PGTV. Okay, Google PGTV, and you can see all five of the county constitutional officers. That's the sheriff, the tax collector, the property appraiser, the supervisor of elections, and your clerk and comptroller, as well as will be joined by the state attorney and the public defender for that ceremony. So please join us. Thank you. All right, let's move on. Randy? I have one item on the agenda that was asked to place on the agenda at the agenda review regarding the closure of roads. It's a request to adopt a resolution denying the road closure of Lake Marion Creek Road and prohibiting county road closures without the Board of County Commissioner's approval. The resolution denies the request to close Lake Marion Creek Road and also prohibits road closures exceeding five days without the Board's approval or in cases of, and exempts out cases of emergencies as approved by the county manager. After the Board met, I've discussed the possibility of putting five days in there because after hearing from staff and the county manager's office, there are situations where we need to close them for one day, two days at a time, and that could slow down utility activity and so forth. So that's why that five days is in there. This is tended to just fill the gap until we can bring back an ordinance. The ordinance will have more details of exemptions and so forth as I bring it to the Board and get a little bit more input from the Board. But the resolution has been placed on the agenda and is recommended for approval. Move for approval. Second. Got a motion and a second. Any further discussion? All in favor? Opposed? Motion carries. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Nothing else. All right. Mr. Beasley. Good morning, Mr. Chair, members of the Board, members of the viewing public. The manager's office will have three items for consideration this morning. Item number H1 is to request the Board approve a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development grant agreement, the associated resolution, a community investment program amendment, and a budget transfer to amend the current year budget to account for unanticipated revenues in connection with the FDC Grove Road-North Ridge Trail flyover project. These actions today by the Board will codify Polk County's receipt of $6 million in federal grant revenues. In FY22-23, Polk County requested federal funding in connection with the FDC Grove Road-North Ridge Trail flyover project. In June of 2023, the county was awarded $4 million in federal funding to begin the alignment study phase of the project. In FY23-24, Polk County again requested federal funding for the project, inclusive of design, right-of-way acquisition, and construction. In August of this past year, Polk County was notified of an additional $6 million award for the project, with grant awards now totaling $10 million. Polk County was notified of this specific agreement, and this intention of the Board today is to formalize the agreement with the federal government for the additional $6 million federal funding applicable to the project. The overall goal of the project is to construct a roadway flyover over top Interstate I-4 and to the west of U.S. 27 that will allow local traffic to move north and south, utilizing a route parallel to U.S. 27, thereby alleviating traffic congestion along that portion of U.S. 27. Upon approval of the federal HUD agreement, the requisite community investment program amendment and budget resolution funding in the amount of $6 million will be transferred from the special revenue grant fund to a project-specific fund within the roads and drainage community investment program, identified specifically for the FDC Grove Road Northridge Trail flyover project. So, Mr. Chair, members of the Board, I think in keeping with the Board's commitment to improved and expanded transportation infrastructure, especially in the northeast areas of Polk County, I would request the Board approve a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Grant agreement, specifically number B-24 CPFL 0609, its associated resolution, and the requisite community investment program amendment and budget transfer to amend the current year budget for unanticipated revenues in connection with, all of which are in connection with, the FDC Grove Road Northridge Trail flyover project. So moved. Second. Got a motion and a second. Any further discussion? I just got a question. Bill, is this the Congressman Webster's money that we got? He was a strong advocate to support the appropriation. Yes, sir. Anyone else? We have a motion and a second. All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Motion carries. Item number H-2 is to request the Board to approve yet again another federally funded grant agreement with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to include the associated resolution, a community investment program amendment, and a budget transfer to amend the current year budget for unanticipated revenues in connection with the installation of sidewalks at various locations throughout the Poinciana community. These actions today will codify Polk County's receipt of $850,000 in federal grant revenues. In FY23-24, Polk County requested $5 million in federal funding for priority sidewalk constructions throughout the Poinciana community. In August of this past year, Polk County was again notified of an award of $850,000 in federal funds to implement a project known as the Polk County Children and Pedestrian Safety Project. This project targets sidewalk design and construction along prioritized roadways within the Poinciana community in order to provide a safe access for student and pedestrians throughout the Poinciana community. Upon approval of the grant agreement, county staff will continue to evaluate and prioritize locations of these sidewalks to be constructed within the Poinciana community by way of the use of these federal funds. Upon approval of the federal HUD agreement, the requisite community investment program amendment and the budget resolution funding in the amount of $850,000 will be transferred from the county's special revenue grant fund to a project specific fund within the roads and drainage community investment program identified specifically for these Poinciana sidewalk improvements. So, Mr. Chair, members of the Board, I think in keeping with the Board's commitment to pedestrian and student safety across all of Polk County, I would request the Board approve the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development grant agreement, specifically number B24-CPFL-0651, its associated resolution and the requisite community investment program amendment and budget transfer to amend the current year budget for unanticipated federal revenues, all of which are in connection with priority sidewalks to be installed within the Poinciana community. Motion for approval. Second. Got a motion and a second. Any further discussion? And this one is from Congressman Soto. Yes, ma'am. Absolutely. In favor? Aye. Opposed? Motion carries. Mr. Chair, members of the Board, the final item from the Manager's Office this morning, item number H3, is to request the Board approve two specific professional services agreements, each with separate engineering consultants in connection with drainage and sidewalk improvements within the Juanita and the Inwood communities. Today's actions will total $445,354 in professional service agreements with $314,979 assigned to the Juanita community engineering efforts and $130,375 negotiated for the Inwood community engineering services. In July of 2024, Polk County solicited qualifications from firms interested in providing professional engineering services for drainage and sidewalk improvements within the Juanita and the Inwood communities. RFP number 24383 was issued and five firms submitted statements of qualifications. In August of 2024, the Board approved the selection committee's recommendation to enter into contract negotiations with WSPUSA, Inc., in connection with the Juanita community improvements and Kimbley Horn & Associates, in connection with the Inwood community improvements. The Juanita community project consists of improving the existing drainage system along Rifle Range Road between 6th Street and Eagle Lake Loop Road. This is a continuation of the drainage improvements recently completed along Rifle Range Road that began at the Juanita Farms Canal area and extended through 6th Street. This project will also include a sidewalk to be constructed along the east side of Rifle Range Road between 1st and 2nd streets. The Inwood community project consists of roadside drainage improvements along Avenue E progressing eastward towards Lake Deer Drive and connecting to the existing drainage outfall piping that discharges into Lake Deer. These professional services are anticipated to be completed within about 180 calendar days with all professional services anticipated to extend through construction completion. Funding for these community improvement professional services is budgeted and available within the county's federally funded community development block grant fund. So, Mr. Chair, members of the Board, I think consistent with the Board's continued commitment to community drainage improvements and sidewalk pedestrian safety initiatives, I would request the Board approve a professional services agreement with WSP USA incorporated in the amount not to exceed $314,979 for those Juanita community plan improvements and a professional services agreement with Kimberley Horn & Associates in an amount not to exceed $130,375 specifically for those inward community plan improvements. So moved. Second. Got a motion and a second. Any further discussion? All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Motion carries. That's it, Mr. Chair. Thank you. Mr. Troutman. Good morning. Thank you, Chair. I just wanted to say, as Stacey said, she will be sworn and re-sworn in this afternoon, but I want to officially give a thank you to Marsha Fox and Lori Edwards for their decades of service to this county as we are having new property appraiser and supervisor of elections taking their office today. And then also just a comment that we are for our first ever having a female public defender who will take office this afternoon. So just congratulations to Blair Allen as she blazes that trail. Yes. I move to appoint Chad Tag-Toe as a member of the Polk County Industrial Development Authority for the three-year term January 23, 2025 through January 22, 2028. Second. Got a motion and a second. Any further discussion? All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Motion carries. I don't have anything else. All right. I'd like to appoint Russell Rusty Mouton as number eight of the Industrial Development Authority for the three-year term January 23, 2025 to January 22, 2028. Second. I motion and a second. Any further discussion? All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Mr. Scott. Just one thing this morning. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I wanted to follow up with, you know, community. There's a couple comments this morning pertaining to communication with the board. You know, we are certainly, as the chairman had stated, we're open to meetings. And for those of you unfamiliar with me, I went through the De Novo process prior to running for a commissioner's seat. So, I know the hours it takes. I know the process it takes. But I can tell you, it can be very rewarding if you are in that particular seat. Or it could be enlightening or both. And so, I would just encourage those in the community, if you have an issue that you want to take forward, you know, take ownership of it and really come to the board and meet with us and take the time. It takes hours, tens of hours, maybe even hundreds of hours sometimes if you want to challenge or make your opinion heard. But there certainly is a clear path to do that. And I think the county has done a great job of that. And looking at the board as well for the road closure change that we made the resolution this morning, we are open ears. And we certainly want to do what's best for the community and for the county in its entirety. So, I certainly just encourage those residents to, you know, make your voice heard but take the time to come see us and let's make a difference and make the county better. Thank you. Thank you, sir. All right. And I don't have anything. So, let's move on to expedited hearings. Mr. Chair, before we go into the public hearings, I'll go over the public hearings and your own procedures. We ask that you please turn off your cell phones or other devices that may distract from the public hearings. Please adjust the microphone and state your full name and address for the record before you begin speaking on a topic. Individuals speaking during the public comment section of a matter will be strictly limited three minutes. The board is experiencing these matters and is able to discern what is legally relevant to an issue and what is not. Information that is irrelevant or repetitive only serves to frustrate and necessarily prolong the day's business. The commission expects civility at all times during all public hearings. Speaking out of terms, shouting out from the audience, disrespectful sounds or utterances while another is speaking are unacceptable and you will be asked to leave the chambers for the remainder of the day. If any person decides the appealing decision made by the board with respect to any matter considered here today, you will need a record of the proceedings and that for such purpose you may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based, which you must gather at your own expense. Anyone in the audience who wishes to speak and present testimonies today must be sworn in. All testimony given during public hearings shall be deemed to be sworn. At this time, if you're going to address the commission or speak on any case today, please stand and raise your right hand and answer out loud to the following questions. That's for anyone who's going to speak today. Thank you. Do you swear or affirm that the testimony or evidence you provide to the commission today is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? Thank you. Mr. Chair, now we'll go to the expedited hearing procedures. Expedited hearings are held pursuant to resolution number 2022-089. Expedited hearings are used when no opposition was present at the planning commission hearing. The applicant agrees to the expedited hearings and recommendation of the development review committee is for approval. Expedited procedures are the following. After staff briefly introduces the case, the hearing will be open for public comment. If anyone speaks during public comment, the applicant will be given the opportunity to respond. After public comment, the board will consider the land use case. At any time, a full presentation from staff can be requested from a commissioner, the applicant, or a member of the public. Any documents attached to the agenda item are deemed part of the record of the land use case. Unless removed from the list of experts by motion of the board, all individuals on the list of experts attached to the agenda item are deemed experts for the purpose of a land use case. And at this time, I'll turn it over to Mr. Peterson to present the expedited hearings. Good morning, board members. Eric Peterson for the Land Development Division. We have three expedited hearings before you today. This first one is LDCPAL 2024-4. It's a text amendment. It has to do with office centers and their proximity to commercial enclave districts. This is necessary for a small-scale map amendment that is up next. With that, I'll stand for questions. Any questions? Ladies and gentlemen, this is a public hearing. If you wish to come forward and speak on this matter, please come forward and give your name and address, and you'll be given three minutes. Seeing none, we'll bring it back to the board. Move for approval. Second. Got a motion and a second. Any further discussion? All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Motion carries. Our next expedited hearing is LBCPAS-2024-3. It's located on Spirit Lake Road, just south of Karatee Polk Road. It is a request to go from RL4 to Office Center. The Planning Commission voted 7-0 for approval. This did not go to the Florida Commerce. This is a small-scale hearing. There were 36 mailers sent to area property owners within 500 feet on December 4th. One board was posted on the property on December 20th, 2024, and a legal ad was published in the Polk Sun on December 18th, 2024. We've had no response from the public. I'll stand for questions. Any questions? Ladies and gentlemen, this is a public meeting. If you'd like to come forward and speak on this matter, please come forward and state your name and address, and you'll be given three minutes. Seeing none, I'll bring it back to the board for a motion. Move for approval. Move for approval. Second. I have a motion and a second. All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Motion carries. Our next expedited item is the first reading of a text amendment. It doesn't require your vote. It was recommended 7-0 approval from the Planning Commission. It is a series of minor changes to Appendix A in parts of the code. It references things such as as-built drawings, record drawings, Florida bearing value, limerock bearing value, removes soil cement standards and Marshall mixes from Appendix A, which are kind of outdated and no longer used. The legal ad was published in the Polk Sun on December 18, 2024. We've had no response from the public. I'll stand for questions. Questions? Ladies and gentlemen, this is a public hearing. If you wish to speak on this matter, please come forward and state your name and address, and you'll be given three minutes. Seeing none, we're going to bring it back and move on. Is that correct? We don't have any- Right. First reading. First reading, right. Yes, sir. First reading. So we're going to move into the P-1, which is, my understanding, there has been a request to continue it until February 4th, 2025. Is that correct? That is correct. We do need a motion to continue. We do need a motion to continue. Yes, sir. Second. Got a motion and second. All in favor? Aye. All opposed? Motion carries. All right. Thank you. I'll be moved to February 4th, 2025. Then we'll begin P-2. Now we present P-2, P-3, and P-4 together. Is that correct? Good morning, Chairman, Commissioners. For the record, my name is Shonda Bennett with the Land Development Division. As Mr. Mink said, I'll be presenting P-2, P-3, and P-4 and asking the board to take action on each individually. So the cases are LDC PAL 2024-6, which is a conference plan text amendment related to Greenleaf. LDC 2024-10, which is a land development code text amendment related to Greenleaf. And LDC PAL 2024-5, which is a map amendment related to Greenleaf. In terms of advertisement, 845 mails were sent to area property owners on December 4th. 22 boards were posted on September 13th. A legal ad in the Polk Sun on December 18th. One phone call in opposition, four emails in opposition, 47 emails in support, two letters with four signatures in support. And also submitted into the record, as Mr. Mink referenced earlier, the documents attached, staff reports, ordinances, applications, utility support, impact study, and demonstration of need. So the slide displays a location map on the left and an aerial map on the right. Greenleaf is adjacent to Haines City, city limits of Haines City, and west of Lake Merion. The red outline on the left and the yellow outline on the right display the entire development that is referenced as the Greenleaf utility enclave area in the conference plan. And was given this name in 2008. A UEA is a development area referenced in the conference plan for sections of the county that have an isolated utility system. Examples include Nalcrest, Fedhaven, and Point Siena. Greenleaf was originally approved as a development of regional impact in 1973 for the area displayed on the screen in the yellow outline. When the conference plan was adopted in 1991, Greenleaf was given a land use designation of DRI, and the development totals were included in the current section for Greenleaf in the conference plan, which included a total of over 1900 units, the convention center, golf course, and additional retail development. In 2008, the property owner of the convention center and the golf course submitted a conference of plan and land development code text and map amendment to create current policies in the comp plan and the land development code that are proposed for amendment today. In 2008, the developer and the county and the state entered into an agreement that declared the Greenleaf development essentially built out and list the development within the Greenleaf DRI outlined in blue in the unit totals in the blue table on the screen. In addition, the 2008 comp plan amendment also established the new development totals to limit to the limits displayed in the box on the bottom of the screen. So that's about 1700 units, multifamily and hotel rooms. It also limited the development on the additional development, which is Smokey Groves, which is the outline in red. So the outline in blue, outline in red together are called the Greenleaf utility enclave area. Also in 2009, plan development was submitted and approved, but it's now expired. And staff wanted to show this to the board to give an idea of what was approved. You can see the concentrated development along Kokomo Road, that's the center site plan, and the convention center, multi-story apartment buildings and hotels along Lake Marion Road on the east side. This amendment basically takes that unit total intensity development, spreads it out along the golf course areas. A couple of slides just showing some site photographs. This is on the north side of Greenleaf, standing on Lake Marion Road, looking east, looking toward the lake itself. The site or Greenleaf would be on the right. The diamondback golf course that's not existent anymore would be on the left. This is standing in the middle of the development on Kokomo, looking north. The table on the left displays the current future land use map and development totals approved in 2008 to be constructed, and those areas marked as tourist commercial center, which is the red color, the residential median, which is the orange color, and the DRI, the development regional impact crosshatch, which is basically the golf course on the existing future land use map on the left. And the right is the proposed land use map with the revised development limitations. So they're pretty much similar overall, but yet their impacts are slightly less. And I'll go over that in a moment. Also displayed on the future land use map, you'll see new residential low neighborhood activity center at the intersection of Lake Marion and Kokomo. Also, please note the tourist commercial center on the existing flue is proposed to be mostly residential low with some RM with a small portion of that NAC again at the intersection. You will notice a remnant DRI parcel on the very southern part of the project that is not in the ownership of the applicant. The remnant DRI parcel has a very narrow point access on Kokomo, basically a triangle, not much of a very wide width. But to ensure the property owner retains some development rights, the DRI future land use in the comp plan in the land development code is proposed to be amended to allow that parcel to at least have the right for one home. The table on the left is proposed to be placed in the land development code in chapter four and provides limitations on units per acre, lot widths, unit types, and minimum lot sizes. This table and the associated village map is the justification for removing the requirement for the planned development. You will notice that none of the lot sizes are below 6,000 square feet or less than 50 feet in width, which is the prescribed requirements for the RL-4 designation in other parts of the county. The proposed language to remove this PD requirement is basically replaced with this table and the statement that any deviations from the table will require a planned development. The map on the lower right corner displays the densities for each of these villages with the majority of the density being between three to four units per acre, with some seven and seven and a half units to the acre on the northernmost part on the east side of Kokomo Road. To briefly go through the text changes, the comprehensive plan policy changes rebrand from the resort community, maintains the development limitations, adds the neighborhood activity center, redefines DRI for the remnant parcel, tourist commercial center for the remaining TCCX, and reduces the new commercial to 60,000 square feet. The LDC changes also rebrand green leaf, also adds the NAC, the DRI, has the village map and the density limitations, adds requirements for traffic studies, incorporates requirements to use existing vegetation and buffers, requirements for utility expansion, makes the PD requirements adopted by the board a year ago, such as recreation and open space area and design for stormwater a requirement, and sets parking standards without allowing waivers. The existing development limitations that were set in 2008 were compared to what's being proposed with this amendment, and based on the standards that we use for impacts for water, sewer and transportation, overall it's a reduction in water usage and impacts for wastewater as well as trips on the surrounding roadway network. One item that was added to the traffic study in the land development code is slightly unique but appropriate because this used to be a development of regional impact and how we do traffic studies for development of regional impacts have always been slightly different. So when a development of regional impact comes in, it can either be a minor traffic study or a major traffic study. A major traffic study gets into more detail about background traffic, neighboring traffic, and it's a larger development. Minor traffic studies are more of just a review of what's the capacity of the roadway system and what's available for this particular project. But we can't predict necessarily if they're going to come in for a level two of everything at one time or come in with little pods. So it could be a minor traffic study at first and then a major traffic study. So what this requirement that is being proposed will do is require a major traffic study with the first level two, even if it's for five lots, so that we get a scope of what the whole development will have an impact. That will help us understand a little bit about, well, are we going to need some kind of infrastructure agreement, some kind of other agreements in terms of making sure the improvements in the local roadway system are implemented and placed at the right time as the project builds out. So that's the point of the regulation. So that if a minor traffic study is the next pod that comes in and only needs a minor or the fifth pod comes in and only needs a minor, we're still going to require that they incorporate all the previous development approvals into that traffic study. So we have an ongoing as it progresses and develops over time. So final slide, staff is recommending approval. The planning commission recommended approval. The justification is it limits future development, the village map and the limiting table that was displayed that you can't vary from unless you do that with a PD. The additional buffers, open space and parking standards have been added, the traffic study requirements and the changes in the language for the DRI and TCC designations are necessary since they don't own all of the leftover tourist commercial center and DRI. So with that, I'll stand for any questions. So the hash mark is just the golf course, existing golf course or what's left of it, and the resort area, the convention center, that sort of stuff? Yes. What are you talking about here today? Yes, sir. And then the adjacent property, the homes around the golf course, the density there, do you know off the top of your head? Is it? Those are pretty, they're attached, most of them are attached units, condo units. But overall, because there's so much open space, the density is about two to three units per acre for the different pods. So it's low when you look at it from a gross density standpoint. But the unit types are, most of them are attached. However, on the southern end, they're detached. So they got packed together condos and then open space and packed together, okay. It's a good design. Anyone else? Anyone? Just to be clear, even though that this is not coming in as a PD, the developer is adhering to those standards which we set forth for PD with the increased green space, recreation amenities and such. Is that correct? Yes, ma'am. Yeah, just for clarity, as far as the water and wastewater calculations, talked about it being reduced by about 26%, but not including smoky groves. When we compare it to what was previously proposed, was that including a future smoky groves or was smoky groves never in any of the prior calculations either? When we look at that reduction amount. The smoky groves area isn't part of this application in terms of the land use change, so it wasn't directly analyzed. But with the reduction in the wastewater and the water, there was plenty of capacity in the system for smoky groves, plus a little bit more. Okay, with this development and smoky groves, we have capacity and surplus on top of that, correct? Yes, sir. All right. That's it. No other questions? All right. Bart, I believe you're up. Good morning, commissioners. My name is Bart Allen. I am a land use attorney with the Peterson and Myers Law Firm. My address is 225 East Lemon Street, Lakeland, Florida. I'm here this morning on behalf of the applicant, Greenleaf Resort Development, LLC. With me on behalf of Greenleaf Resort Development, I have Mr. Scott House, who's in the audience and has been here for all of the hearings. I also have with me, available to answer questions if necessary, Danny Kovacs, who's been our professional engineer on the project. I also have Mr. Jay Daval, who's handled transportation analysis. He's a PE with Traffic Planning and Design Incorporated. And then I also have Mr. Keith Burge, utility operator for the Greenleaf Utilities, which are also wholly owned by Mr. House. I have really truncated my presentation from the transmittal hearing. We went through a lot of this in a tremendous amount of detail. And Ms. Bennett, as always, has given you a very good overview of the kind of the history and really, as we've kind of gone along, been able to kind of shrink down some of the talking points. But there is a lot of history here, and she did a really good job of encapsulating the history going all the way back to the early 70s. I'd also like to just kind of recognize briefly Mr. Bolton, Robert Bolton, in your planning department, who did a tremendous amount of work on this project as well and really enjoyed working with him. This project, just kind of from a procedural perspective, you know, there was, we had been to the Planning Commission in October of this year, last year, I forgot, we just had a year change, October 2024. We achieved a unanimous vote in favor of that project there, six to zero. One member excused themselves right before the vote. And this came before this board, albeit with two different commissioners prior to Commissioner Troutman and Commissioner Scott, and also achieved a unanimous vote five to nothing on transmittal. The project then, as we are here for adoption, was transmitted to the Department of Economic Opportunity on the on the comp plan and the future land use map amendments, because this is over 50 acres, and they had no comments or objections to our request as well. So, we've had a very good process as it relates to the technical procedural side. On a separate side, from a public engagement perspective, Mr. House has continued working with the residents. He's had a number of meetings with the Greenleaf folks, existing residents in the area and in the community, continuing to work on what would they like to see, how did they like to see this development occur. And I really commend Mr. House. You don't see a lot of that effort all the time. And not just effort. Sometimes you'll have one meeting. Sometimes you'll maybe even have two. But Mr. House has really put forward that extra effort to be constantly engaged and constantly involved with the community. And I really give him a lot of kudos for that. It's probably the most engagement that I've seen from any client that I've represented in 17 years. So, I give him a lot of kudos to that. The one kind of constant concern that we've heard, and Commissioner Scott touched on it, is utilities. Yes, we do have capacity to serve both what's being proposed today, also including the existing residents and Smoky Groves. And that's always been what's contemplated even going back to 2008. That's why the permits were set where they were set at that time. And we do have the ability to provide that service. There's also been investment going on into the utility system over the past, I mean, I'll say year or so. New valve systems have been implemented to allow better control and segregation of the potable water facility, so that if something does break, you don't have to shut down the entire system now. You can segregate and loop it off a little bit. So, that's been implemented. They've been out there improving fire hydrants, replacing fire hydrants. As we all know, a lot of this was constructed going back into the 70s and 80s. So, starting to see some of that as developments occurring, you're starting to see that reinvestment into the infrastructure. Implementing new smart water, smart meter technology on the potable water meter, so that you're now coming into current technology with being able to electronically read meters and things like that. Just the smart meter technology alone is about a $1.8 million investment, and that's just to replace the existing homes. And that charge is not being implemented onto those existing residents. It's being borne by the utility. So, this isn't where they're trying to reach back and grab into that existing residence. So, again, you're starting to see that reinvestment into the infrastructure. On the wastewater side, Mr. House has been working very hard on upgrading the plant. We just recently, on November 15th, received a modification of the permit that allows us to do two things. It allows us to now meet the effluent standards and the higher standards for the Lake Okeechobee BMAP requirements. So, we're now going to be implementing a three-phase improvement into the wastewater utility to meet those standards. Also, that allows us to kind of turn back on the rest of the plant. As you will recall, the permit and the construction was always for the full permit capacity, but some of the equipment had basically been turned off because it had not been a need. There had not been enough usage of the wastewater treatment facility. So, it's going to allow us to enhance some of that and bring that on. We anticipate that. That will be implemented in three phases and should be complete by the end of 2025. That's a $15 million to $18 million investment into the wastewater treatment facility. That's what's been going on since Transmittal effectively. Ms. Bennett gave you a real overview of what we're asking here. We're asking for three land use entitlement changes. We're asking for a future land use map amendment to effectively put residential low on the golf course areas, change some of the TCC out. We're asking for that. We're asking to amend the comprehensive plan policies to reflect the current development program, and we're asking for an amendment to the land development code to implement design standards that, as Commissioner Traumlin very appropriately asked, meet or exceed all of your plan development requirements today, what's being implemented into your land development code. That is not the right picture. I don't know how that happened. That was not the way it was when I printed it this morning. So what we're doing is we're taking this current entitlement here, this 1,753, this is what Ms. Bennett pointed out, replacing it with our requested development program. And this 1,700 and 246, that is inclusive of this 425 units of Smoky Grove. So it's really, you know, around 1275, if I can do my math quickly off the top of my head of single family in the Greenleaf area. We're asking for that development mix to be implemented. I don't know why all these pictures are off. I apologize for that. I apologize for that. To be implemented into this village program that Ms. Bennett pointed out, where we have basically 2 1⁄2 units per acre to 4 units per acre in the residential low. And then you have two pockets of townhomes here in Village 7. And then in Village 11, you have some paired villas. Outside of that, that is what encompasses the development mix. It's built into the land development code, and it's built into the comprehensive plan. Putting a PD at the end of the day into your comprehensive plan and code. And if we need any extraordinary changes, it gives a lot more protection to residents, right? Any extraordinary changes, unit count increase, things of that nature, we're coming all the way back before this Board of County Commissioner for a change for those unit counts and things like that, which I think is very unique and really doesn't exist anywhere else in the county in the comprehensive plan or land development code. So with that, I'm going to wrap up. The proposed request is less intense than what's already approved today. It allows the development to be spread out a little bit more. We're still standing up nine holes of the existing golf course, so we're putting that back into play. It's a less intense use on water and sewer. It's a less intense use on roads. It meets all of your PD requirements. This has been a labor of love, if you will. We've had I don't know how many meetings with staff. I don't know how many community meetings, 15 to 20 probably at this point, working on what does a community want. It's consistent with the surrounding development. It's consistent with your comprehensive plan, and it meets all of your land development code requirements. So with that, we'll stand for any questions. I do have my entire PowerPoint from last hearing. If I need to answer any questions and I need to reference them, they're part of this presentation as well, but I'm not going to go through all 45 of those. So we'll stand for any questions. We really appreciate your time. One last point, and I think this is important. As we're looking at what's coming next, we're implementing a very enhanced amenity package. There is, within just the Greenleaf area alone, there's 25 acres set aside. That's outside the golf course, 25 acres set aside for clubhouse and amenity center, dog parks, open space, pavilions. There's over three miles of walking trails, and that doesn't count just sidewalks. That's separate walking trails that are being implemented into the program. That's all coming as part of that interlocal agreement that's becoming a part of the CDD. If this was just a PD based on the unit count, we would only need 14 and a half acres. So we're exceeding the PD requirements on, and that's not just open space. That's active recreation stuff significantly. And then if you put the golf course back in and you add that number into it, it's over a hundred acres. So I think that's a tremendous amenity for not just the new residents of Greenleaf, but the existing ones as well, because they will be able to access many of those walking trails for free. And they will also have access to other amenities like the clubhouse and pools and things like that. There will be a little bit of an operation and maintenance charge similar to any other HOA, but they will be available for others' use. So I think that's a positive as well. So with that, we'll stand for any questions. I know there's some folks here to speak, would request a few minutes of rebuttal at the end if appropriate. Mark, just real quick, just for the record, you're incorporating your presentation from the previous hearing into this hearing for the record. Yes, that is correct. Thank you, Mr. Mink. Thank you. Any questions? Yeah. Just so I understand, back up three bad slides. Yeah, I apologize for that. Which one? Right there. There's a couple of slides. So what you just said, so the original DRI was 1753 homes, correct? For the future development, that's correct. Yeah. And the 1700 there on the right includes Smoky Groves? Yes, sir. Okay. And based on what you're entitled without any approvals today, how many additional homes could you put in there? Let's assume today is not approved. What could you, what could Mr. House come back in and do? If I do the... Just numbers. Just real quick math. Let's say if you exclude Smoky Groves because it's approved. So I set that aside. I could do 1753 minus 425. So 1300 single family resort residential units, 120 workforce housing, a 300 bedroom hotel and additional convention center. And where would you physically do that? Within... You see where I'm going here. I, I, I, a lot of times you and other developers kind of throw it back at us that, well, we have this right to do this anyway. So I'm asking you, okay, let's say you don't get this today. Where are you going to do it? Uh, in between those clusters of condos, would that be the answer? And basically in the red, in the red. And then there's a, there's a handful, there's just a couple of remnant. Like this is an undeveloped residential medium track right there. You've got all of this, uh, tourist commercial center. And that is effectively what this would look like. Okay. That is this PD that was approved back in 2009 was representative of the 1753, the hotel. That's all in that. And that's all in that. That's all in that plan. And that what's not shown. I'm going to, I think I'm correct on this. If this was contemplating Smokey Groves, you would see a development plan from this PD on Smokey Groves as well. Isn't that right? I can't, maybe it just said future development. Yeah. I can't remember. We, but point is, yes, that that's what this would look like. Okay. Thanks. Anyone else? Yeah, I do. But one of the things that we've heard a lot from the community is the water issue and things like that. Can you make some reference to that specifically? What, what you're planning to do that you, but the developers planning to do? Yes. So, so, and that kind of gets back to this slide commissioner Santiago. Some of the, some of the issues that have been raised relate to boil water notices. And, um, Mr. Burge will tell you that anything that we do out there when, when we make enhancements, when you replace a fire hydrant, you have to turn parts of the system off, things like that. Um, you have to give those. That's part of, part of our noticing, noticing requirements as part of the department of health and water management permits. Um, the, the intent is to, from a development perspective will be to new development will be on its own system. There will likely be some connectivity that helps increase pressures that help increases redundancy and things like that. But it is, it, it is, um, it will be effectively new distribution systems for new development. The permits, things like that will be modified to reflect changing and boundaries and different things of that nature. But the permit capacities exist today under the permit to serve those. So that we'll just continue to see enhancements and investment in, into the community. This $2 million that I have referenced here on, in these three items is, is already ongoing and occurring. Um, the bid for the new, the contractor to do the smart meter technology is already out. Um, to, to put into those, um, put in those units. And that smart, uh, meter technology is for existing homes as well as new development. Am I correct? That's correct. That's correct. So the long, the long, the short answer is you're just going to continue to see more investment in the infrastructure, which will benefit all. Thank you. We've got a few questions. As far as the amenities go, when will those be installed relative to the build out of the villages that you referenced on the overall site plan? Believe the primary one, the, the, the clubhouse will go in kind of as a first, first phase type type approach that becomes, that becomes the kind of the selling point for the community, if you will, commissioner Scott. And then they'll just be built in sequence as, as you go along through the development. Okay. And then connectivity, when you look at how those villages come online in relation to kind of the centroid of the development, is there consideration given there meaning that we don't have a tremendous break on a resident that's in a house in this village, but it's, you know, I don't know, making something up at 800 feet or a thousand feet away. No way to get there except for the kid riding a bicycle on the roadway. When we look at that kind of connectivity, I guess. I just want to make sure. I'm not sure I'm tracking your question a hundred percent. Just being a, essentially a small master plan development. Sure. You want to make sure that you have some connectivity for residents that are new moving in would be able to access the amenities that are there in a safe manner. Yes. A hundred percent. And that's being taken into account with sidewalk systems, with walking trails, things like that. A hundred percent. Okay. Just making sure they come online. Uh, the other question I had was with respect to the utility long-term plans. I understand now currently Mr. House owns that LLC that operates the utility. What is, uh, you know, the assurance for residents long-term, you know, 30 years from now, how does that function as a private utility? And what's kind of that, uh, succession planning, if you will, so that we don't have residents coming back 20 years from now saying that they're either paying five times the amount because some private equity firm bought it and is now just manipulating it for money. Like what, you know, what kind of path forward do these have in this, in this case? Well, I'm not sure that we've thought quite through all of that since we're just at a comprehensive planning and a lane development code level. Um, I, the, the ownership and how that functions, I, I don't see the, really the relevance to kind of where we are here today. Um, I am sure that the ownership will continue as it always has with the, with the area and the development. Um, I don't, I don't foresee any significant change there and any rates, any fees, any charges would all be regulated by the PSC anyway. And you can't, you can't do anything a foul of what they would approve. So I, I, I don't, I don't necessarily have a real good answer for you other than to say that, you know, it's, it's all regulated. It is bound by the department of health is bound by DEP and we can't do anything a foul of those rules. Right. Public service commission would be involved. And that's where I wanted to get that out there. Just so those that are looking, the complaints we get today about the water system, it's because of kind of some of the errors in the past, if you will, and how it was designed and implemented. So I appreciate that. Thank you. No problem. Anyone else? All right. Ladies and gentlemen, this is a public hearing. If you wish to come forward and speak on this matter, which would be two, three and four. Is that right, Randy? Uh, this is the time to come up and give your name, uh, and address and you'll be given three minutes. Now I did have, uh, uh, Fayette Carpenter. Yep. Here she comes again. I'm Fayette Carpenter. Once again, I think I'm in the right place at the right time. Now, hopefully, uh, I just wanted to show my support for other green leaf development and point out that probably you have observed this, but I, I, I'm not unique in observing. I don't think that all the developments that are occurring here, uh, in, in Polk County seem to be just streets with houses on either side of them, or perhaps a couple of streets with houses on either side of them. Uh, but, but this green leaf development is very, very different, uh, from that. We have many, many amenities as you know, and I just wanted to point out that, uh, uh, I, I've observed that the orange groves that were once, uh, very, quite frequently, uh, uh, in, in all, on all of the roads back, what I call the back roads, which were once orange groves are now developments, but the developments are simply houses and streets. And this is very, very different from that. And I'm excited about it because when I came to green leaf in 2002, there were many amenities, and it was quite a glorious place to be. Uh, I think this, uh, uh, will do a lot to bring those glorious days back to, I hope, to green leaf. So I urge your support. Thank you very much. Thank you, ma'am. All right. Uh, Glenn Lawhorn. Glenn Lawhorn, 11,000 Jim Edwards road, Haynes city. Um, this thing's still a bad idea. I mean, if you go back to the aerial maps and look mainly at Lake Marion road, uh, that runs along Lake Marion, I don't understand how staff came up with the, the idea that, that it's consistent with the land use that's around it. It's everything around green leaf is all one home per five acres. All, almost every lakefront site down Lake Marion is on a five acre track. Almost everyone. There may be one or two that are not. Um, the roads out there are horrible. The traffic is, I mean, they'll overrun you. We all talked about this in the, in the meetings on Friday, but I just can't see how you can in good conscience vote to pass this thing on through. I mean, green leaf was a golf course. Uh, commissioner Braswell said that one time that really didn't want to put golf course, take the golf course out and put houses on the fairways. Um, I just don't see where this is a very good idea. The consistency and density out there do not reflect what is really out there. Green leaf. I worked there as a kid. Green leaf in its heyday was absolutely fantastic. We'd have 10, 15,000 people on site as a bellman. And I don't know if you know what that means. That's you're running. We had a lot of people there. You didn't know they were there unless you worked there. Their surrounding community had no idea that that kind of traffic was out there as far as personnel. So changing this thing from a golf course resort into this, I don't know if Mecca is the right word to use, but, uh, putting 1700 more homes on site. I don't think that's a very good idea. Uh, I would, I would encourage you to, to deny this. Plus if you take it back to the 2009 PD, uh, that expired long time ago. So I really don't think that this, uh, this should go forward from that until that PD back then is, is, uh, resolved. So thank you for your time. Thank you. All right. That's everyone I had signed up. Is anybody else like to come forward and speak on this matter? Good morning. My name is Catherine Tidwell. My husband, Charlie, and I live at 21 Aspen drive in Greenleaf. Um, I am coming here to ask, uh, you to vote yes on the amendments. I appreciate everything that my neighbors across the road have had and addressed in their concerns. Um, I've had my own concerns. Um, but, uh, as Greenleaf owners, we are, you are in support and in agreement with the development Scott house has proposed. We're excited and impatiently anxious for the project to begin. So again, we ask that you adopt the text amendments and allow this project to move forward. Thank you. Thank you, ma'am. Good morning. My name is Robert Lewis. I live at six Greenwood lane, Haines city. Uh, we were here on election day at the transmittal hearing for this proposed comprehensive plan text amendment. And we have returned today to ask for its adoption today. Our community stands stronger than ever behind this redevelopment plan. And proof of that sits all around me in green shirts. Our redevelopment plan is the product of an open line of communication between the developer and the community. Scott house, his development team, the county staff, along with all the residents here today of green leaf have worked tirelessly to bring this plan before you and ask that you help make our vision a reality. After nearly 35 years of neglect, green leaf is ready for its next chapter. Greenleaf is no longer suited to be a destination resort for a transient population. That model worked quite well in the seventies and eighties, but going forward is much better suited a residential golf community with new amenities and new infrastructure. These factors along with the reduction in construction density that have been discussed in the traffic are why we support this plan and seek the amendment to the plan that was approved in 2009. We acknowledge there will be sacrifices and inconvenience, inconveniences that come with an undertaking of this size, but we understand improvements like these cannot be achieved any other way. I will quote commissioner Braswell from the transmittal hearing in November when he said, what's going to happen if this doesn't get approved? That's a hard one to answer. I think it's only going to get worse. Commissioner, you're absolutely correct. It will only continue to get worse. And that's why we are asking for a yes vote to adopt this text amendment. Thank you. Thank you, sir. Anyone else? All right. Not seeing none. Oh, back there. Okay. Yes, sir. Come on up forward. As he walks up, this reminder is for P2, P3, and P4. Good morning. My name is Dave Venturini. I'm actually at 44 Coventry Drive in Greenleaf. We are actually new as of March 1st of 2024. My wife and I came to the community from Orlando. We love it. And we know progress is key. And I know it's an investment for us in the community as well, too, because it's going to bring value. Just for me as a person, though, I've been in construction for 30 years. So I know there's going to be a lot of things that are going to be done. So my question would be for, you know, Mr. House and them is what's going to be in place for us because there's going to be a lot of, you know, heavy traffic, dust, dirt. We get the rainy seasons. I know we're going to have flooding and stuff. And just for being in the community as we are now, there's really no way we're going to get out of progress because it is, you know, it is money for them as a company as well as for the county and the community. We see that and we understand that. But I just want to make sure there's things in place that's going to, I guess, be helpful to the community to keep it from, you know, suffering from all the long term. Because those of you, we used to live in Orlando, so that I-4 project was a pain in the neck on the east side and stuff with everything that they had. So for me, I just like to see something that's going to be, you know, an open line of communication or something. Being new, like I said, I'm on the tail end of it. I really don't know too much about Greenleaf in the past, but from seeing it, it's a strong community. You know, my wife and I like it. We like being able to sit out back. I really don't want to look out houses, you know, on that 12th green out there and stuff like that. But I understand progress. So for me, it's like, what's going to be in place to help maintain the integrity of our community, you know, where we can still have that sense of tranquility and, you know, quietness. Like I said, we don't like Orlando. That's why we're here. And I want to kind of maintain that. You know, you have all that build up out there. We live near universal and I'm sorry, that's not a way to live. And I don't want to have that same thing happen again out here. So I just encourage you just to, you know, have an open line of communication and to see what's going to be in place to help prevent. You know, I know there's going to be highs and lows with everything with construction, you know, from whatever it may be, there's going to be delays and stuff. But I just want to see what's going to be kept in place to keep our community as a community. But I also know it's going to add value to us in the long term. Thank you. Thank you very much. Anyone else like to come up to speak? Bart, do you want to come back and just to kind of touch on a couple of things? You know, Mr. Longhorn referenced the PD that was expired. Yes, the PD expired, but that does not change the entitlements that were already, that were incorporated in the comprehensive plan, which is effectively what we're implementing just in a different fashion than the PD back in 2009. The Lake Marion Road, the half acre lots, we have set aside the, I'm sure I've got a terrible exhibit to show. Down here, village three, down here in village three. Those are half acre lots that those are in the land development code to be required to be a half acre lot minimum. So anything that we've done on the other side of Lake Marion Road, I believe are compatible and consistent with that development. And to the last gentleman whose name I did not catch and I apologize. But best management practices as it relates to construction activity, you know, ingress and egress of those things, those will all be implemented as we go through design and go through pre cons and different things with your staff and work on how, how construction is implemented when we get to that point. But one of the overarching kind of comments that I, and comments that I have related to this project to Mr. House, is that open line of communication that he has established with the residents out there. And I would anticipate that will continue as this project moves forward. So into, into future phases. So with that, we appreciate your time. We appreciate all of your consideration. I, again, commend your staff for all the work that they put into it with Ms. Bennett and Ms. Bolton, as well as others. And we would request a favorable vote on adoption of these land use amendments. All right. Thank you. Any questions? Any questions? One question. With respect to total build out timeframe, I think the one resident was concerned, you know, is the amount of dust and the other stuff that's going to happen with any project. Is this like a five year, 10 year? Do we have any idea of what this would entail? I, yeah, I would say that's probably accurate based on other projects that I've had, that I've seen. Of course, it's all going to be very much market driven too. And so, you know, I hesitate to put a hard timeframe on it, but I would, I would based on the unit counts and things like that. like that yes I just think knowledge for the resident just so they kind of yeah thank you all right I believe that's it I'm gonna close the public hearing I believe that's where I'm at and bring it back to the board for any further discussion or emotion I have just a couple of comments um in the six years that I was on the planning commission plus the time here I will say I've never seen the room filled with this much support so I do commend the applicant on working to to make that happen whether it took one meeting or or 10 meetings that I do not know and then I really appreciate the fact that how this is laid out it is not a PD but yet we give the reassurances to the citizens and in my experience most citizens will come in and they're afraid in essence of a bait and switch that the developer is agreeing to do x but will that really happen and by doing this in this way it gives the flexibility to make a few minor changes if needed in these villages but it allows the public and the current residents to understand that the words will be kept so I'm not sure who came up with this model and this idea but I think for the staff and for the residents of Polk County it is a very good way to provide that safety to both sides thank you anyone else I do um I just want to say that I think I have the right name Ms. Carpenter right you hit it on the nail when your comment because you're right developments are going up that are houses two sides and I I see a different development about I think I've capturing everything I see a different type of development taking place here so I want to encourage that we you to keep that green leaf community just the property in the way they have it laid out and things like that I think that's going to be an asset for the Northeast area I also want to encourage that Bart you said communication with the citizens of this area has been really important I want to see that continue of this area has been really important I want to see that continued with it because I think Mr. House I think that's the way that you get things done and that's the way that you have the buy-in from the the citizens so from and I'm talking from the point of where I enjoyed Greenleaf back in the 80s oops oops back in the 90s it is her birthday back in the 90s where I play tennis on your courts and I enjoyed the convention center so I know what a special place that is and I understand you don't want to lose that special place so hopefully Mr. House you could capture all of that as you as you work in the area so thank you that is it anyone else just for clarity if staff could just reconvene on the entitlements side to this project relative to that PD from 09 I think it may just help add transparency for for the one public commenter as far as you know the PD being expired doesn't negate the property being developed if we just get clarity on that that's correct because the PD approval was for the design of the site plan and since it's expired they'd have to do a new PD Bart you know this guy you know this I don't like the idea of building houses on golf courses I don't it seems unfair to me that people who paid a premium to live on a golf course now we're gonna see their values diminished because they're gonna have houses jammed up against them but that said I go back to what else you're gonna do that that this one for me is tough I will support it I'll tell you that right now but you know it's it's such a dilemma for the people who who live on this course I mean only because you've been over backwards and I'll tell you straight out that's the only thing that's convincing me to vote for this I think Martha Martha said it you're trying to keep the community together as a community I think that's important I think you have gone way above and beyond with the community meetings and and got the buy-in the fact that you're opening up amenities to do other than the new residents that's kind of a big deal and I think you've done good there I don't like voting for homes on golf courses but I am ditto on what everybody said I will be supporting this all right we're gonna be voting on P2 is that right Randy move to approve P2 second motion and a second any further discussion all in favor aye opposed motion carries move to approve P3 so moved up we need a second second yeah we got a motion in a second all in favor aye opposed motion carries they move to approve P4 got a motion in a second any further discussion all in favor opposed motion carries all right we're going to P5 is that correct yes sir let's clean out now enjoy this is just this is a CDD right this is a CDD all right I gotta ask everybody that if you're gonna leave go ahead and leave or sit down and be quiet we're not done yet yes all right let's everybody calm down here a little bit all right good afternoon Eric Peterson for the Land Development Division sorry good morning Eric Peterson for the Land Development Division this is LD CDD 2024-6 the Greenleaf Community Development District it's no coincidence that it's at the same location as the last case you heard and this is the the area and now that the land use has changed to the one on the right it is now consistent with the comprehensive plan which is one of the primary criteria for Community Development District this is the district as you can see how it's it meanders around the former golf course and does not include the areas developed with homes currently this is all for a new development this is the estimated cost there of the capital improvements plan you'll notice it does not include cost for the water and wastewater systems that will be funded as previously mentioned in prior hearings through different means these are there are existing lines those lines will probably need some improvements for the new development but there are in close proximity to all proposed development within the CDD therefore staff recommends approval it's person to section 190 point zero zero five of the Florida statutes we find all the statements in the petition correct it's consistent with the comp plan it's of sufficient size compact and can see contiguous even though it does me even though it does meander a lot it is contiguous and this is a good alternative for funding of the CDD it distributes the cost of the development over longer periods of time and uses municipal funding rather than bank funding that comes at a higher rate it's compatible with the services and facilities and there is capacity plan to support the development over the length of time and with that I'll stand for questions any questions not seeing none not seeing none Barton you got anything to say about this hey good morning my name is Jerry Earlywine I'm a QTAC Rock law firm here on behalf of the petitioner if you all recall I was back here in August of last year to talk about the groves at Lake Marion CDD the smoky groves CDD and this petition is sort of an extension of that same project obviously it's its own CDD for green leaf to the north I think a year or so ago we'd filed them all as a single CDD I think Eric had asked I think rightly so to split them up because the land uses were traveling separately so we did groves back in August and then we're coming back now for the green leaf CDD the other thing that I think that's worth pointing out and this is in response to a lot of the requests that we got from residents and having conversations you guys see all the support and you all have talked about it but they asked for a buffer wall to be put in certain places within the community and the CDD is all about providing public improvements such as buffer walls and other things like that and so we came up with sort of a unique concept of putting together enhancements agreement that comes along I think it's actually your next item in the agenda package but that comes along with the with the CDD the idea being that because the CDD can access the tax-dent bond market and raise capital very easily it allows us to put in better quality improvements deliver a better quality project and so we wanted to commit to that through this enhancement agreements I know Commissioner Santiago you would ask about that so that's your next item up I won't repeat all my comments from back in August about CDs but just briefly to repeat a CDD is basically a better version of a homeowner association it can do more things it can access that tax and bond market spread costs over time allow us to put in a better quality project has access to collecting on the tax roll can get FEMA funding has sovereign protection protection so its insurance is better it's a more transparent entity than HOA so it's just a more robust vehicle for delivering public infrastructure the last two things I would say is that again like I said back in August there's never been a debt or obligation of a CD that's become a city or county obligation that's not a thing it's really the CDD bondholders risk to invest in the project uh and then finally uh for you know for the record is as um Eric's put up the um criteria up here the well you all are really going through a ministerial act of considering whether we have met the criteria in the statute we we clearly have and all of the record evidence supports that that includes our petition includes the pre-filed testimony that we provided and that I would incorporate into the record here today as well as your staff report it's all favorable and so we've met the criteria or any further response any questions all right not seeing none ladies and gentlemen this is a public hearing if you wish to come forward and speak on this matter please come forward and you will be uh state your name and address and you'll be given three minutes seeing none I'm closing up here he comes I know I'm I thought you had you hesitated for a minute well I was waiting to see if anybody else came first oh I don't like you're gonna be the only one I believe probably um Glenn Lawhorn 11,000 Jim Edwards Road Haynes City um we've had this discussion I don't know how many times CDDs are bad what it does is takes the element of risk from the developer owner and puts it on people that come in and buy bonds if it fails it fails and they lose all their money but um I don't like them I know several of y'all have expressed that y'all don't like them very much either so I would encourage you to make this developer if he wants a CDD to fund it himself you know that way he's got skin in the game if this thing goes under he's got nothing that's the bottom line so I'll talk to y'all later maybe okay thank you anyone else like to come up and speak on this matter does does Mr. Erlewine want to respond to that comment I believe he probably will if I may just very briefly um you know CDs are a good thing and if you look at the top you know there's over a thousand of them in Florida over 80 in Polk County um of the top 100 or so or top 50 or so master plan communities in the United States typically given on the year it's 15 to 20 or so of those are actually in Florida because Florida obviously has a beautiful place to to live um and the vast majority of those except for like the Margaritaville's and maybe one or two others they're all CDD communities Lakewood Ranch Nocatee the villages um Vieira all of these projects um they look amazing because the public infrastructure looks great and the reason it looks great is because there's extra money that the money costs less there's a lot of different ways that you can finance your capital stack you can take out a mortgage loan or you know dip into some other equity source but the CDD allows you to put in infrastructure and spread the cost of a 30-year period and so while somebody might pay a $1,500 payment today that isn't the same amount you know 10 years from now or 20 years from now 30 years it's just a smart way to do the financing for the project and it's a way more robust um entity in terms of operating maintaining infrastructure I can give you phone numbers from uh numerous CDD uh boards who absolutely love their CDD because they can do more things for them and maintains their property values better so all right thank you sir any questions anybody for him I know yeah I do um can you can you uh can you come back up yeah come back up please Martha's in now I just want to know because um Mr. Glenn mentioned failed CDs can you provide that information about that do you know of any that have failed and why yeah so so any project can fail whether it's a CDD or non-CDD project and during the great recession there were a small percentage of uh developments as you guys all know that that failed during the those hard uh economic times um the thing is is if you have a CDD project and it's a much more capable entity in terms of responding to that failure so for example if you have um a CDD community the first thing that's interesting to note is there's actually construction money set forth up front for the project right if you don't have the CDD that money's in the developer's pocket right if you're just a regular HOA community uh the developer was funding it they go bankrupt the thing just sits there maybe there's a mortgage loan on top of it or something like that but there's no money to finish out the project with a CDD the money's not sitting in the developer's pocket it's sitting at a trustee bank like U.S. bank or region's bank can only be requisitioned uh through a requisition process signed off by a professional engineer management company and a trustee that's holding the the money and the bondholders can direct how that money gets used and they can finish out the the next phase of the project or or whatnot so that's a big advantage of having a CDD during the default scenario the other advantage is they have reserve money on hand which is especially set aside for that foreclosure scenario that you're talking about you can use that money to keep the grass watered to keep your amenity center working if you have a regular community that money isn't there right the developer's completely bankrupt the other advantage and there's more advantages in a default scenario for a CDD is a foreclosure process is faster because you're foreclosing a first priority assessment lien not some mortgage or something else that's just going to sit there for a long time and so when we did experience uh the great recession and we went through a foreclosure that the CDD foreclosures and there were a few of those just like there were non CDD foreclosures but the CDD foreclosures went through relatively quickly the vast majority of those were completed within six to 12 months um the money was uh or the the project property that had defaulted got parked in a special purpose entity and then when the economy recovered and that entity was controlled by the bondholders and um and as soon as that economy recovered uh they they the bondholders directed the property sold and got back to productive use more quickly so it was exactly the way the legislature had designed it to function during a default scenario so it's one of the big advantages of a CDD is if you have a default like that okay thank you thank you anyone else all right I'm going to close the public hearing and bring it back to the board for any further discussion or a motion move approval p5 second got a motion in a second any further discussion all in favor aye all opposed motion carries I think this is one we've been looking for in it the last one yep yes this is an interlocal agreement uh regarding greenleaf uh and uh it's been talked about and not um significantly I'll just run through it uh it's uh a recorded agreement to go between the supervisors of the CDD which are in your packet for the CDD and the board of county commissioners it does not obligate the board of county commissioners to anything it obligates the CDD to putting in the uh improvements and things that were talked about it comes with a uh a plan for improvements and it's uh attached in there it uh specifically mentions the uh some of the uh walls and uh landscape enhancements to uh buffer the neighboring existing homes as part of it uh so that's in indicated in the uh contract under the center local agreement uh it also uh mentions the the amenities that were talked about uh that you've seen in other hearings and with that I'll stand for questions questions all right seeing none ladies and gentlemen this is a public hearing if you wish to speak on this subject please come forward and state your name and address seeing none okay my gosh seeing none bring it back to the board move to approve second got a motion and a second all in favor motion carries and I believe that wraps a set isn't it yes sir all right meeting journey you