Polk County Planning Commission  
Meeting Minutes - Final  
March 05, 2025 Regular Planning Meeting  
Call Agenda Workshop to Order 8:50 a.m.  
Minutes: Meeting went into Recess  
Meeting Reconvened  
Call Public Hearing to Order 9:00 a.m. Or as soon thereafter as the particular case may  
be heard 9:00 a.m.  
Roll Call / Attendance  
Rennie Heath, Vice Chair David Dalton, Linda Schultz, Mike  
Schmidt, Chair Robert Beltran, Adam Bass, and Secretary Merle  
Bishop  
Present  
Mike Hickman, Kevin Updike, and Brooke Agnini  
Excused  
Pledge of Allegiance  
Approve Minutes  
Meeting Minutes 2-5-2025  
Approved Minutes  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYE:  
APPROVED  
Rennie Heath  
Merle Bishop  
Heath, Dalton, Schultz, Schmidt, Beltran, Bass, and Bishop  
Hickman, Updike, and Agnini  
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2) Considerations of items to be withdrawn, deferred, or continued.  
Minutes: Chair Beltran announced that LDCPAS-2024-29 which was on the agenda  
had been continued to the April 2, 2025 Planning Commission meeting.  
LDCPAS-2024-29 (Rifle Range Road CPA) - CONTINUED TO APRIL 2, 2025.  
Explanation of General Procedures  
Minutes: Provided by Attorney Howard.  
Explanation of Quasi-Judicial Proceedings  
Minutes: Provided by Attorney Howard.  
Voir Dire of Expert Witnesses  
Minutes: Administered by Attorney Howard.  
Staff Resumes  
Staff Resumes and Staff confirmed to be professionals in their field.  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYE:  
APPROVED  
David Dalton  
Rennie Heath  
Heath, Dalton, Schultz, Schmidt, Beltran, Bass, and Bishop  
Hickman, Updike, and Agnini  
Excused:  
Agenda Item  
New Business  
1. LDWA-2024-61 (Maguire Waiver)  
Minutes: Robert Bolton, Land Development Planner, provided a PowerPoint  
presentation for this case. Merle Bishop asked for clarification regarding the easement  
related to this waiver. Bernard Maguire, applicant, agreed with staff's recommendation.  
The floor was opened for public comment by Chair Beltran. Rita Reik spoke in  
opposition stating concerns for wildlife and impact on personal property. Steve Lowery  
spoke in opposition concerned with any subdivisions that could potentially be  
established on the property if the waiver is approved. Diane Starling spoke in  
opposition stating concerns with overdevelopment if this waiver is approved. Chair  
Beltran closed the floor for public comment. The applicant, Bernard Maguire, provided  
a rebuttal. Merle Bishop asked of the applicant if he was intending to build just one  
home if the waiver was approved. Robert Bolton explained that there were already two  
homes on the property and this would allow the applicant to build two more homes on  
the property. There was more discussion about other properties and another  
easement.  
1. LDWA-2024-61 (Maguire Waiver)  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
APPROVED  
Rennie Heath  
Merle Bishop  
Heath, Dalton, Schultz, Schmidt, Beltran, Bass, and Bishop  
Hickman, Updike, and Agnini  
AYE:  
Excused:  
2.  
LDWA-2024-60 (Pitt Road Waiver)  
Minutes: Aleya Inglima, Land Development Staff, provided a PowerPoint presentation  
with a recommendation of approval. Chair Beltran opened the floor for public  
comment. Jackie Radford asked what the applicant's intentions are for the property.  
The Chair closed the floor for public hearing. Richard Saunders, applicant, provided a  
rebuttal stating he was intending to do a one-time split of the property because most of  
the property was wetland.  
2. LDWA-2024-60 (Pitt Road Waiver)  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYE:  
APPROVED  
David Dalton  
Merle Bishop  
Heath, Dalton, Schultz, Schmidt, Beltran, Bass, and Bishop  
Hickman, Updike, and Agnini  
Excused:  
3.  
LDCU-2024-40 (Martinez MH)  
Minutes: Kyle Rogus, Land Development staff, provided a PowerPoint presentation  
with a recommendation of approval. Rennie Heath made a motion to expedite the  
case, Adam Bass seconded the motion, and the motion to expedite was approved  
unanimously. Chair Beltran opened the floor for public comment, there was none, the  
floor was closed for public comment.  
3. LDCU-2024-40 (Martinez MH)  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYE:  
APPROVED  
David Dalton  
Merle Bishop  
Heath, Dalton, Schultz, Schmidt, Beltran, Bass, and Bishop  
Hickman, Updike, and Agnini  
Excused:  
4.  
LDCU-2024-37 (Posner Reserve)  
Minutes: Kyle Rogus, Land Development staff, provided a PowerPoint presentation  
with a recommendation of approval. David Dalton verified with staff that this  
application was already approved for a planned development in 2021 and this  
application is to receive approval for short-term rentals and a site plan. The applicant  
was not in attendance. Chair Beltran opened the floor for public comment, but there  
was none. The floor was closed for public comment. Chair Beltran confirmed with the  
County Attorney the vote could proceed if no opposition was in attendance.  
4. LDCU-2024-37 (Posner Reserve)  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYE:  
APPROVED  
Rennie Heath  
Merle Bishop  
Heath, Dalton, Schultz, Schmidt, Beltran, Bass, and Bishop  
Hickman, Updike, and Agnini  
LDCT-2024-28 (I-4 SAP Revision)  
Excused:  
5.  
Minutes: Ian Nance, Land Development staff, provided a PowerPoint presentation with  
a recommendation of approval. There was conversation regarding the end result of  
this text amendment. Chair Beltran opened the floor for public comment. Tim  
Campbell spoke in support of the text amendment. Chair Beltran closed the floor for  
public comment.  
5. LDCT-2024-28 (I-4 SAP Revision)  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYE:  
APPROVED  
Merle Bishop  
Rennie Heath  
Heath, Dalton, Schultz, Schmidt, Beltran, Bass, and Bishop  
Hickman, Updike, and Agnini  
Excused:  
6.  
LDCPAL-2024-17 (Stuart Property Thornhill Road)  
Minutes: Mark Bennett, Land Development staff, provided a PowerPoint presentation  
with a recommendation of approval. David Dalton asked for clarification of staff related  
to the wetland boundary which was confirmed by staff. Adam Bass stated that existing  
uses did not appear compatible and asked for clarification from the staff. Staff  
explained that there are environmental constraints that will hamper complete  
development of the property, it is compatible with the Comprehensive Plan, and will  
allow for more housing types. Staff explained this was designated for urbanization.  
The applicant, Bart Allen of Peterson & Allen Law Firm, agrees with staff's  
recommendation and spoke regarding the case. A discussion occurred regarding  
wetland impacts, transportation access to the property, and the existence of wildlife on  
the property. Chair Beltran opened the floor for public comment. Dewy Kramer spoke  
in opposition stating concerns with the wetlands and flooding. Michael Harrison spoke  
in opposition stating concerns with flooding. Jarrod Crick spoke in opposition stating  
concern about access limitations which directly affects his property and property line.  
Chair Beltran closed the public portion of the hearing. Bart Allen provided a rebuttal to  
the public's comments.  
6. LDCPAL-2024-17 (Stuart Property Thornhill Road) forwarded to the Board of County  
Commissioner for a Transmittal Hearing on May 6, 2025, and an Adoption Hearing on  
July 1, 2025.  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYE:  
APPROVED  
Rennie Heath  
Linda Schultz  
Heath, Dalton, Schultz, Beltran, and Bishop  
Schmidt, and Bass  
NAY:  
7.  
LDCPAL-2024-14 (Poinciana Subdivision)  
Minutes: Mark Bennett, Land Development staff, provided a PowerPoint presentation  
with a recommendation of approval. The applicant, Bart Allen, agrees with staff's  
recommendation and spoke regarding the case. The Commission members asked  
questions of the applicant regarding the surrounding property and electric service.  
Chair Beltran opened the floor for comments. No one from the public came forward.  
The Chair closed the floor for comments.  
7. LDCPAL-2024-14 (Poinciana Subdivision) - Forwarded to the Board of County  
Commissioners for Transmittal Hearing on May 6, 2025, and July 1, 2025 for an  
Adoption Hearing.  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYE:  
APPROVED  
David Dalton  
Rennie Heath  
Heath, Dalton, Schultz, Schmidt, Beltran, Bass, and Bishop  
8.  
LDCPAS-2024-34 (Orchid Springs CPA)  
Minutes: JP Sims, Land Development staff, provided a PowerPoint presentation with a  
recommendation of approval. The applicant, John Bannon of Wood and Associates,  
agrees with staff's recommendation and spoke regarding the case. Chair Beltran  
opened the floor for public comment. No public comments were received. Chair  
Beltran closed the floor for public comment.  
8. LDCPAS-2024-34 (Orchid Springs CPA) - Forwarded to the Board of County  
Commissioners on April 1, 2025  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYE:  
APPROVED  
Merle Bishop  
David Dalton  
Dalton, Schultz, Schmidt, Beltran, Bass, and Bishop  
Heath  
Abstain:  
9.  
LDPD-2024-21 (Tyner Road RRD)  
Minutes: Aleya Inglima, Land Development staff, provided a PowerPoint presentation  
with a recommendation of approval. Rennie Heath made a motion to expedite,  
seconded by Merle Bishop, and approved unanimously. Chair Beltran opened the floor  
for public comments but none was received. Chair Bletran then closed the floor for  
public comment.  
9. LDPD-2024-21 (Tyner Road RRD)  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYE:  
APPROVED  
David Dalton  
Merle Bishop  
Heath, Dalton, Schultz, Schmidt, Beltran, Bass, and Bishop  
10.  
LDPD-2024-20 (Ariana Street PD)  
Minutes: Ian Nance, Land Development staff, provided a PowerPoint presentation with  
a recommendation of approval. Merle Bishop confirmed with staff if the Lakeland  
Utilities have been involved with this project. Bart Allen, applicant, agrees with staff's  
recommendation, spoke regarding the case, and introduced his staff as an expert in  
their field. A motion to accept the applicant's staff as an expert was made by Merle  
Bishop, seconded by Rennie Heath, and approved unanimously. Chair Beltran opened  
the floor for public comment. There was none. The Chair closed the floor for public  
comment.  
10. LDPD-2024-20 (Ariana Street PD)  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYE:  
APPROVED  
David Dalton  
Merle Bishop  
Heath, Dalton, Schultz, Beltran, Bass, and Bishop  
Schmidt  
NAY:  
11.  
LDCT-2025-2 (INST-2 Text Amendment)  
Minutes: Kyle Rogus, Land Development staff, provided a PowerPoint presentation  
with a recommendation of approval. Rennie Heath made a motion to expedite,  
seconded by Merle Bishop, and approved unanimously. Chair Beltran opened the floor  
for public comment, there was none, and the floor was closed for public comment.  
11. LDCT-2025-2 (INST-2 Text Amendment)  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYE:  
APPROVED  
Rennie Heath  
Merle Bishop  
Heath, Dalton, Schultz, Schmidt, Beltran, Bass, and Bishop  
Comprehensive Plan update  
Minutes: Chanda Bennett provided an update about the Comprehensive Plan update.  
Adjournment  
Minutes: Meeting was adjourned at 11:41 a.m.  
Adjournment  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYE:  
APPROVED  
Rennie Heath  
David Dalton  
Heath, Dalton, Schultz, Schmidt, Beltran, Bass, and Bishop