Lake Alfred Growth Is Assessed

LAKE ALFRED | Members of the City Commission and Planning Commission brainstormed some additional ideas for the growth of Lake Alfred during an evaluation and appraisal report public hearing.

Members of the Central Florida Regional Planning Commission, who are acting as the city's consultants on the project, asked for ideas and opinions on topics including transportation, housing, infrastructure, conservation, and recreation and open spaces during Monday's hearing.

"The focus comes from asking citizens, elected officials and staff about the issues within the community,'' said Pat Steed, executive director of the Regional Planning Council, explaining that all the comments will go into a report that will eventually be sent to the state Department of Community Affairs.

A handful of residents attended the meeting, the second one the city has held on the topic. The first meeting was in May.

Steed went over the comments from the first meeting that had been turned into a report and asked for new opinions on the different subjects.

Additional traffic lights was a concern at the previous meeting and city staff said two new lights will be installed in the coming months.

One light will be at Pomelo Avenue and U.S. 17-92 and the other on the west side of Pomelo when it is extended to connect with County Road 557.

Steed also said the city will get two new Winter Haven Area Transit covered bus stops in the city. She said the stops will also be recessed off the main roads so the buses can get out of the travel lanes, allowing traffic to keep moving while passengers are getting on and off.

Commissioners from both boards said they were glad Lake Alfred residents would be able to go from the city to Haines City, Auburndale, Winter Haven and Lakeland by bus.

Commissioners said they would like to see more affordable housing in the city, but said they were not sure if that meant more apartment complexes.

Dan Swing, a Planning Commission member, said he would like to see more townhouses, but said he didn't think the city had the police resources to patrol apartment complexes.

A few residents complained about the flooding problems on West Pierce Street when it rains.

City Manager Jan Shockley said the issue is a problem with drainage and it is being looked into.

Residents also complained about the need for more sidewalks and for sidewalk repairs in different parts of the city.

Planning Commission Chairman Ted Anthony said he was concerned that half of the city is still on septic tanks.

He said he was concerned about septic tanks failing and where any leakage would go.

Members of both boards said they would like to see the city open a community center, which could be rented out and be a source of revenue for the city.

The discussion about starting a Community Redevelopment Agency made the rounds again, but Steed told the commissioners that now is not the best time to start a CRA because of depressed property tax values.

Commissioners from both sides agreed that Lake Alfred is a nice place to live.

"I think Lake Alfred is a very good place to raise a family,'' said City Commissioner Albertus Maltsby.

Shockley agreed and said the city is starting to see new businesses move in to the commercial and industrial areas east on U.S. 17-92.

"I think the industrial park is the shot in the arm the city needs,'' Shockley said.

Steed said the consultants would write a report and bring it back to the commission for approval.

"We will write a scoping letter that addresses what we see as the major issues that should be addressed in the (city's comprehensive) plan,'' Steed said. "We will send the letter to DCA and they will either agree with the list of issues or they may add to the list. It usually takes six weeks to get a response back.''

She said after getting a response back her staff will start to work on the formal process, which she expects to be completed in May.

"This entire process usually takes 30 months,'' Steed said.

[ Amber Smith can be reached at amber.smith@theledger.com or 863-422-6800. ]