Polk County Planning Commission  
Meeting Minutes  
May 01, 2024 Regular Planning Meeting  
Call Agenda Workshop to Order 8:50 a.m.  
Minutes: The workshop of the Polk County Planning Commission was called to order  
at 8:50 a.m. by the acting Chair, David Dalton, on Wednesday, Wednesday, May 1,  
2024, in the County Commission Boardroom, Administration Building. In attendance  
were the following members: Michael Schmidt, Linda Schultz, Tommy Addison, Mike  
Hickman and Brooke Agnini. Rennie Heath was not in attendance. Tommy Addison  
was acting secretary. Also, present were Elizabeth Voss, Deputy County Attorney, Ben  
Ziskal, Director, Erik Peterson, Amy Little, Aleya Inglima, Mark Bennett, Johnathan  
Sims and Robert Bolton of Land Development, and Margo White, recording secretary.  
Erik Peterson, Land Development, announced cases LDPD-2024-1, LDCU-2023-68  
and LDCT-2024-7 have been continued to June 5, 2024, and LDCT-2024-6 has been  
continued indefinitely.  
Call Public Hearing to Order 9:00 a.m. Or as soon thereafter as the particular case may  
be heard 9:00 a.m.  
Minutes: The Polk County Planning Commission was called to order at 9:00 a.m. by  
the acting Chair, David Dalton, on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, in the County  
Commission Boardroom, Administration Building. In attendance were the following  
members: Tommy Addison, acting secretary, Michael Schmidt, David Dalton, Linda  
Schultz, Mike Hickman and Brooke Agnini. Also, present were Elizabeth Voss, Deputy  
County Attorney, Ben Ziskal, Director, Erik Peterson, Amy Little, Aleya Inglima, Mark  
Bennett, Johnathan Sims and Robert Bolton of Land Development, and Margo White,  
recording secretary.  
Erik Peterson, Land Development, announced cases LDPD-2024-1, LDCU-2023-68  
and LDCT-2024-7 have been continued to June 5, 2024, and LDCT-2024-6 has been  
continued indefinitely.  
Roll Call / Attendance  
Chair Rennie Heath, Secretary David Dalton, Brooke Agnini,  
Tommy Addison, Linda Schultz, Mike Hickman, and Mike  
Schmidt  
Present  
Angelic Sims, and Vice Chair Robert Beltran  
Excused  
Pledge of Allegiance  
Approve Minutes  
April 3, 2024, Planning Commission Minutes  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYE:  
APPROVED  
Mike Hickman  
Linda Schultz  
Dalton, Agnini, Addison, Schultz, Hickman, and Schmidt  
Heath, Sims, and Beltran  
Excused:  
Reordering of the Agenda - Prior to beginning the Business of the Planning  
Commission, the Commission may reorder the Agenda.  
1) Reorder Agenda  
a) At the discretion of the Planning Commission members, a lunch break may be  
called if the hearing of cases goes beyond 12:00 p.m.  
2) Considerations of items to be withdrawn, deferred, or continued.  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYE:  
APPROVED  
Mike Schmidt  
Tommy Addison  
Dalton, Agnini, Addison, Schultz, Hickman, and Schmidt  
Heath, Sims, and Beltran  
Excused:  
LDPD-2024-1 (Davenport Publix Shopping Plaza)  
LDCU-2023-68 (Sandhill Rd Self Storage) - Continue to June 5, 2024  
Explanation of General Procedures  
Voir Dire of Expert Witnesses  
Staff Resumes  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYE:  
APPROVED  
Tommy Addison  
Mike Hickman  
Dalton, Agnini, Addison, Schultz, Hickman, and Schmidt  
Heath, Sims, and Beltran  
Excused:  
Explanation of Quasi-Judicial Proceedings  
Agenda Item  
New Business  
1.  
LDCU-2023-57 (Layton Lane Duplex CU)  
Minutes: David Fields, applicant, Southside Area Properties, owner, are requesting a  
Conditional Use (CU) approval to build a duplex on 0.4 +/- acres in a Residential Low-3 (RL-3)  
Future Land Use and in the Transit Supportive Development Area (TSDA). The subject site  
located west of Kirkland Rd, east of Layton Ln, south of Pipkin Rd W, and south of the city of  
Lakeland, in Section 11, Township 29, Range 23.  
Erik Peterson, Land Development, introduced the case and reported 66 mailers sent to  
area property owners on April 4, 2024, one (1) sign was posted on the property on April  
4, 2024, and a legal advertisement was published in the Ledger on April 16, 2024. No  
responses were received from the public.  
Aleya Inglima, Land Development, presented a Power Point presentation with a  
recommendation of approval.  
David Hickman, applicant, agrees with staff’s recommendation and spoke briefly  
regarding the request.  
Mr. Chair opened the public hearing.  
No Response from the public  
Mr. Chair closed the public hearing.  
1. LDCU-2023-57 (Layton Lane Duplex CU) - Conditional Approval  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYE:  
APPROVED  
David Dalton  
Tommy Addison  
Heath, Dalton, Agnini, Addison, Schultz, Hickman, and Schmidt  
Sims, and Beltran  
Excused:  
2.  
LDCU-2023-63 (Longhorn Dr Monopole Tower)  
Minutes: Michelle Casapulla, applicant, Outdoor Resorts River Ranch, owner, are requesting  
a Conditional Use (CU) approval for a for a 150-foot monopole communication tower. This  
request also requires an approval for a variance from the separation and height requirements  
in Section 303 Communication Towers, and Section 642 Military Compatibility Zones. The  
subject property is approximately 8.64 acres within a Recreation/Open Space (ROS) and  
Leisure/Recreation (LR) future land use district, Outdoor River Ranch DRI No. 8, PUD 81-24  
and, the Rural Development Area (RDA). The subject site is located south of Long Hammock  
Drive, east of Kicco Road, west of Horseshoe Bend, west of the Osceola County line, in  
Section 23, Township 31, Range 31.  
Erik Peterson, Land Development, introduced the case and reported 511 mailers sent  
to area property owners on April 4, 2024, one (1) sign was posted on the property on  
April 16, 2024, and a legal advertisement was published in the Ledger on April 16,  
2024. No responses were received from the public.  
Malissa Celestine, Land Development, presented a PowerPoint presentation with a  
recommendation of approval.  
Mike Schmidt asked about documentation from Buck MacLaughlin. Ms. Celestine  
stated there was a document in their packets.  
Steven Orchard, spoke on behalf of the applicant, Phoenix Tower International and  
Luck Whatford, civil engineer, agrees with staff’s recommendation and spoke briefly  
regarding the approval from the FFA.  
Mr. Chair opened the public hearing.  
Ken Acevedo, West Gate River Ranch Resorts, has concerns with the proximity from  
the airport to the cell tower and stated they have not received any documentation from  
the FFA that they had no problem being so close to the airport.  
Mr. Chair closed the public hearing.  
Luck Whatford presented the letter from the FFA to the Commission and Mr. Acevedo  
and also stated it was part of the package submittal.  
Mike Schmidt asked if the case could be continued to the opposition could review the  
FFA letter.  
Ms. Voss stated staff has already reviewed the document.  
Ms. Celestine stated they have and have no issues with the documents.  
Mr. Heath stated the applicants have come from out of town and asked them to get  
with Mr. Acevedo.  
2. LDCU-2023-63 (Longhorn Dr Monopole Tower) - Conditional Approval  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYE:  
APPROVED  
David Dalton  
Tommy Addison  
Heath, Dalton, Agnini, Addison, Schultz, Hickman, and Schmidt  
Heath, Dalton, Agnini, Addison, Schultz, Hickman, and Schmidt  
Sims, and Beltran  
AYE:  
Excused:  
Sims, and Beltran  
Excused:  
3.  
LDCU-2024-2 (Reese Drive MH)  
Minutes: Cheryl Bull, applicant, Joel Cirmella, owner, are requesting a Conditional Use (CU)  
approval for a mobile home to be placed on a lot within a subdivision where fewer than 50% of  
the developed lots have mobile homes on 0.33 +/- acres in an Agricultural/Residential Rural  
(A/RR) Future Land Use designation and Rural Development Area (RDA). The subject property  
is located at 14130 Reese Drive, east of Camp Lester Road, north of Camp Mack Road, west  
of the Osceola County Line, east of Lake Wales, in Section 12, Township 29, Range 29.  
Erik Peterson, Land Development, introduced the case and reported 122 mailers sent  
to area property owners on April 4, 2024, one (1) sign was posted on the property on  
April 5, 2024, and a legal advertisement was published in the Ledger on April 16, 2024.  
No responses were received from the public.  
Motion to expedite by Tommy Addison and seconded by David Dalton and approved  
unanimously.  
Malissa Celestine, Land Development, presented a PowerPoint presentation with a  
recommendation of approval.  
Cheryl Bull, applicant, agrees with staff’s recommendation regarding the request.  
Mr. Chair opened the public hearing.  
No response received.  
Mr. Chair closed the public hearing.  
3. LDCU-2024-2 (Reese Drive MH) - Conditional Approval  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYE:  
APPROVED  
Tommy Addison  
David Dalton  
Heath, Dalton, Agnini, Addison, Schultz, Hickman, and Schmidt  
Sims, and Beltran  
Excused:  
4.  
LDCPAS-2023-24 (US 98 Commercial CPA)  
Minutes: An ordinance of the Polk County Board of County Commissioners regarding  
the adoption of LDCPAS-2023-24, an amendment to the Polk County Comprehensive  
Plan, Ordinance 92-36, as amended, to change the Future Land Use Map designation  
on 1.69 +/- acres from Phosphate Mining & Agricultural/Residential-Rural (A/RR) to  
Rural Cluster Center (RCC), in the Rural Development Area (RDA), located on the  
south side of the US 98 and Brooke Road intersection, 2 miles east of the City of Fort  
Meade in Section 32, Township 31, Range 26, providing for severability; and providing  
for an effective date.  
Erik Peterson, Land Development, introduced the case and reported 19 mailers sent to  
area property owners on April 4, 2024, one (1) sign was posted on the property on April  
16, 2024, and a legal advertisement was published in the Ledger on April 16, 2024. No  
responses were received from the public.  
Mark Bennett, Land Development, presented a PowerPoint presentation with a  
recommendation of approval.  
Sam Medina, Sloan Engineering, agrees with staff’s recommendation regarding the  
request.  
Mr. Chair opened the public hearing.  
No response received.  
Mr. Chair closed the public hearing.  
4. LDCPAS-2023-24 (US 98 Commercial CPA) - Recommendation of approval will be  
forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners on May 21, 2024.  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYE:  
APPROVED  
David Dalton  
Mike Hickman  
Heath, Dalton, Agnini, Addison, Schultz, Hickman, and Schmidt  
Sims, and Beltran  
Excused:  
5.  
LDCPAS-2023-33 (Mediterranean Drive CPA)  
Minutes: An ordinance of the Polk County Board of County Commissioners regarding  
the adoption of LDCPAS-2023-33, an amendment to the Polk County Comprehensive  
Plan, Ordinance 92-36, as amended, to change the Future Land Use Map designation  
on 8.5 +/- acres from Development of Regional Impact (DRI) to Residential Low (RL-1),  
located south of Cypress Parkway, west of Caspian Road, east of Lake Marion Creek  
Drive, and north of Marigold Avenue, east of the city limits of Haines City, in Section  
33, Township 27, Range 28; providing for severability; and providing for an effective  
date.  
Erik Peterson stated that LDCPAS-2023-33 and LDCD-2024-2 would be opened and  
presented together.  
Erik Peterson, Land Development, introduced the cases and reported 114 mailers sent  
to area property owners on March 5, 2024, one (1) sign was posted on the property on  
March 12, 2024, and a legal advertisement was published in the Ledger on March 20,  
2024. No responses were received from the public.  
Johnathan Sims, Land Development, presented a Power Point presentation with a  
recommendation of approval for both cases.  
Mr. Schmidt asked about the development density.  
Mr. Hickman asked about recreation space not being designated as a function of  
approval for the surrounding area?  
Mr. Sims stated the original plan was for open space for surrounding residential areas  
and feels with the additional property purchased on the east end will suffice.  
Mr. Schmidt asked about the green open space why the additional land not be  
maintained.  
Mr. Sims stated due to the unique shape.  
Mr. Addison asked if they would recommend approval. Mr. Sims stated with the recent  
purchase for open space, he sees no problem.  
Erik Peterson stated the current purchases by the County allows up to 20 units per  
acre.  
Mr. Schmidt stated that TOHO is the service provided? Staff stated it will be for sewer  
and water. Mr. Schmidt stated he was concerned with the water since the Water  
Ordinance was continued to June 5, 2024.  
Mr. Sims stated that was not his project and could not comment.  
Alejandro Bosch, Civil Engineering, applicant, agrees with staff’s recommendation  
regarding the request. He also stated he has spoken with TOHO representatives and  
is aware they will need to do water and sewer extensions.  
Mr. Chair opened the public hearing.  
No response received.  
Mr. Chair closed the public hearing.  
5. LDCPAS-2023-33 (Mediterranean Drive CPA) - Recommendation of approval will be  
forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners on June 18, 2024.  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYE:  
NAY:  
Excused:  
RECOMMENDATION OF APPROVAL TO THE BOARD OF COU  
David Dalton  
Mike Hickman  
Heath, Dalton, Agnini, Schultz, and Hickman  
Addison, and Schmidt  
Sims, and Beltran  
6.  
LDCD-2024-2 (Mediterranean Drive Sub-District Change)  
Minutes: An Ordinance of the Polk County Board of County Commissioners regarding  
the adoption of LDCD-2024-2, an amendment to the Polk County Land Development  
Code Sub-District Map (Ordinance 01-69), as amended, amending the sub-district map  
to change 8.5 +/- acres from Residential Low 1 (RL-1X) to Residential Low 4 (RL-4X) in  
the Utility Enclave Area (UEA). This case is related to LDCPAS-2023-33. The subject  
site is located west of Caspian Road, south of Cypress Parkway, north of Marigold  
Avenue, east of Lake Marion Creek Drive, east of the city of Haines City, in Section 33,  
Township 27, Range 28; providing for severability; and providing for an effective date.  
Erik Peterson stated that LDCPAS-2023-33 and LDCD-2024-2 would be opened and  
presented together.  
6. LDCD-2024-2 (Mediterranean Drive Sub-District Change) Recommendation of  
approval will be forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners on June 18, 2024.  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYE:  
NAY:  
Excused:  
RECOMMENDATION OF APPROVAL TO THE BOARD OF COU  
David Dalton  
Mike Hickman  
Heath, Dalton, Agnini, Schultz, and Hickman  
Addison, and Schmidt  
Sims, and Beltran  
7.  
LDCT-2024-6 (Vehicle Repair Text Amendment)  
LDCT-2024-7 (Water Star Ordinance)  
8.  
Adjournment  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
APPROVED  
David Dalton  
Mike Hickman  
SECONDER:  
Heath, Dalton, Agnini, Addison, Schultz, Hickman, and Schmidt  
Sims, and Beltran  
AYE:  
Excused: