Polk County Planning Commission  
Meeting Minutes - Final  
May 07, 2025 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 Chair, Robert Beltran, on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, in the County  
Commission Boardroom, Administration Building. In attendance were the following  
members: David Dalton, Michael Schmidt, Mike Hickman, Merle Bishop, and Brooke  
Agnini. Also, Kevin Updike and Linda Schultz, Planning Commission alternates. Josh  
McLamore, School Board. Also, present were Sandra Howard, Deputy County  
Attorney, Erik Peterson, Chanda Bennett, Mark Bennett, Andrew Grohowski, Aleya  
Inglima, Kyle Rogus, and Ian Nance of Land Development, and Margo White(sitting),  
recording secretary.  
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 workshop of the Polk County Planning Commission was called to order  
at 9:00 a.m. by the Chair, Robert Beltran, on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, in the County  
Commission Boardroom, Administration Building. In attendance were the following  
members: David Dalton, Michael Schmidt, Mike Hickman, Merle Bishop, and Brooke  
Agnini. Also, Kevin Updike and Linda Schultz, Planning Commission alternates. Josh  
McLamore, School Board. Also, present were Sandra Howard, Deputy County  
Attorney, Erik Peterson, Chanda Bennett, Mark Bennett, Andrew Grohowski, Aleya  
Inglima, Kyle Rogus, and Ian Nance of Land Development, and Margo White(sitting),  
recording secretary.  
Roll Call / Attendance  
Vice Chair David Dalton, Linda Schultz, Mike Hickman, Mike  
Schmidt, Chair Robert Beltran, Secretary Merle Bishop, and  
Kevin Updike  
Present  
Rennie Heath, Adam Bass, and Brooke Agnini  
Excused  
Pledge of Allegiance  
Approve Minutes  
Meeting Minutes April 2, 2025  
Approved  
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2) Considerations of items to be withdrawn, deferred, or continued.  
Explanation of General Procedures  
Explanation of Quasi-Judicial Proceedings  
Voir Dire of Expert Witnesses  
Current Staff Resumes  
Approved  
Agenda Item  
New Business  
1
LDCU-2025-4 (Alaynah Mendoza MH)  
Minutes: Alaynah Mendoza, applicant, and Jeremy A. Glass, owner, are requesting a Conditional Use  
approval for a mobile home to be permitted on ±1.23 acres within a Residential Suburban Future Land  
Use District located in the Suburban Development Area (SDA) and Residential Suburban (RS) Future  
Land Use district. The subject property is located at 101 Leighs Road, south of Old Dixie Road (County  
Road 546), east of Dixie Drive, west of Polk Parkway and Delon Court, and west of the City of Auburndale  
in Section 06, Township 28, Range 25.  
Andrew Grohowski, Land Development, introduced the case and reported 26 mailers sent to area  
property owners on April 23, 2025, one (1) sign posted on the property on April 23, 2025, and a legal  
advertisement was published in Lakeland and Winter Haven Sun on April 23, 2025. One phone call in  
opposition.  
Andrew Grohowski, Land Development, presented a Power Point presentation with a recommendation of  
approval.  
Mr. Chair opened the public hearing  
No one from public spoke.  
Mr. Chair closed the public hearing.  
Approved  
2
LDCPAS-2025-3 (Lake Gibson Estates CPA)  
Minutes: Charles Brooker, Traditions Engineering, applicant and DAUGHTERY ROAD  
GIBSON COURT LAND TRUST, owner, are requesting a Small Scale Comprehensive Plan  
Map Amendment to change 2.51 +/- acres from Residential Low (RL-3) to Residential Medium  
(RM) located within the Urban Growth Area (UGA). The subject property is located south of  
Marcum Road, west of Pearce Road, north of Daughtery Road, east of US Highway 98, and  
east of Lakeland, in Section 24, Township 27, Range 23.  
Johnathan Sims, Land Development, introduced the case and reported 55 mailers sent to area  
property owners on April 23, 2025, one (1) sign posted on the property on April 23, 2025, and a  
legal advertisement was published in Lakeland and Winter Haven Sun on April 23, 2025. No  
response from the public.  
Johnathan Sims, Land Development, presented a Power Point presentation with a  
recommendation of approval.  
Robert Beltran asked about facility next to request. JP responded.  
Chanda Bennett spoke.  
Chad Brooker, applicant spoke and had nothing to add.  
Mr. Chair opened the public hearing  
No one from public spoke.  
Mr. Chair closed the public hearing.  
Approved  
3
LDCPAS-2025-5 (Lake Hancock Road CPA)  
Minutes: Robert Baker, applicant and owner, is requesting a Small Scale Comprehensive  
map amendment from Business Park Center (BPC-2X) to Residential Low (RL-1X) on 2.28 +/-  
acres on 2.28 +/- acres located in the Transit Supportive Development Area (TSDA). The  
subject property is located south of State Road 540 (Winter Lake Road), west of Elam Road,  
north of Lake Hancock Road, east of US Highway 98, and southeast of Lakeland, in Section  
11, Township 29, Range 24.  
Johnathan Sims, Land Development, introduced the case and reported 18 mailers sent to area  
property owners on April 23, 2025, one (1) sign posted on the property on April 23, 2025, and a  
legal advertisement was published in Lakeland and Winter Haven Sun on April 23, 2025. No  
response from the public.  
Johnathan Sims, Land Development, presented a Power Point presentation with a  
recommendation of approval.  
Mr. Hickman asked how many homes are on that private easement? JP answered, three (3).  
What is the limitation for access on private easement? JP answered, four (4).  
Mr. Beltran asked id they need more if the future can they come back? JP answered, yes.  
Mr. Hickman asked how they would have to come back to add more? they would have to come  
back in front of Planning Commission.  
Ian Nance stated they would have to come back in front of Planning Commission.  
Mr. Chair opened the public hearing  
Maria Baker, applicant, spoke and asked questions about the sewer and septic. Stated that  
each home has its own easement, and that easement is connected to their home.  
Mr. Hickman asked if they are all flag lots.  
Mr. Chair closed the public hearing.  
Approved  
4
LDCD-2025-1 (Stuart Property Sub-district)  
Continued  
5
LDSPD-2025-1 (Old Dixie Highway SPD)  
Continued  
6
Comprehensive Plan - Polk Prosper 2050  
Minutes: Erik Peterson spoke and presented a power point.  
Adjournment