LakeWalesNews.net - Communication Builds Our Community

A new business park may eventually rise on newly-annexed land south of Hunt Brothers Road near Loves Travel Stop and the city's soccer complex on large parcels are currently in citrus production.

The City Commission Tuesday night approved the annexation of 47.31 acres of land owned by Hunt Brothers, and agreed to the future land use of BPC, allowing the same uses as the nearby Longleaf Business Park. The accompanying zoning will allow for warehouse uses as well as light manufacturing.

The site is south of the soccer complex and the adjoining city cemetery, and distant from any housing density. Only scattered residences are located within a quarter mile south of the property.

According to a document provided to city commissioners prior to the meeting, the BPC district "is intended for discrete areas established and designed for a mixture of professional, light industrial, wholesale, and professional uses, including hotels and motels and car dealerships, and excluding retail, drive-up restaurants, service and other uses catering directly to consumers except those accessory to a principal use."

The zoning will allow flexibility to potential future purchasers of the property, while preventing certain uses. Commissioner Terrye Howell specifically asked about unwanted or offensive uses, and was assured that any proposal for the land would still have to go before the zoning board and be approved by the commission.

The Lake Wales CRA was the principal developer of Longleaf Business Park more than two decades ago, seeking to increase employment in the area. Much of the park lots remain vacant, but more than 100 people work there.

Lake Wales News Treasure Hunt Mystery Clue: !noitingi ruoy ffo kraps ot erus ,noitiutni htiw hcraes ruoy "rewoP"