Polk County Zoning Decisions: March 2026

In March 2026, Polk County held 3 public meetings covering zoning matters. 10 zoning decisions had a recorded outcome this month: 9 approved (100% approval rate), 1 deferred. Activity was up 45% compared to February (236 activity items across 4 meetings).

Zoning Decisions This Month

Hatch Access Easement Waiver at 1031 South Gaskins Road, Bartow

Approved.

Approved waiver to allow a newly split 1.47-acre lot to access via an easement exceeding quarter mile in length within RL-1 future land use district. The easement serves fewer than four lots and exceeds the 25-foot minimum width requirement. Property owner Jim Hatch plans to build a single-family guest home called 'Sabbath House' for ALS patients and caregivers. Vote was unanimous.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Highway 17-92 Linear Commercial Corridor CPA near Lake Alfred

Approved.

Approved small scale comprehensive plan amendment changing 1.32 acres from Leisure Recreation to Linear Commercial Corridor on US Highway 17-92, south of Old Haines City Lake Alfred Road. Site is former motel constructed in 1940 with 250 feet of highway frontage. Applicant TDW Land Planning indicated potential self-storage use. Property is infill between existing LCC designations on both sides. Level four review proceeding to Board of County Commissioners.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Recker Highway Map Amendment LDCPAS 2025-35

Approved.

Approved small scale map amendment for 12.91 acres on Recker Highway from Residential Suburban to Business Park Center for existing auto salvage yard operating since the 1970s.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Mammoth Grove Sand Mine Conditional Use LDCU 2025-29

Approved.

Approved de novo appeal for non-phosphate wet sand mine on approximately 656 acres (reduced from original 856 acres) north and south of State Road 60, near Mammoth Grove Road. Applicant PH Citrus represented by attorney Bart Allen. Mining area includes approximately 502 acres of excavation with 24-acre processing facility. Estimated 268 trucks per day maximum, 536 daily trips. Mine lifespan estimated 25-50 years at 10-20 acres mined per year.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Tahoe Marigold Avenue Comprehensive Plan Amendment in Poinciana

Approved.

Approved small scale comprehensive plan amendment changing 12.5 acres from Development of Regional Impact (DRI) to Institutional and Neighborhood Activity Center (NAC) at the intersection of Marigold Avenue (Poinciana Parkway) and Hemlock Avenue. Toho Water Authority seeks to expand water treatment plant with additional well and possible relocation of existing well. NAC portion will allow future non-residential development. Level four review proceeding to Board of County Commissioners on 04/21/2026.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Juanita Main Street Corridor Overlay Text Amendment

Deferred.

Continued to April 1 meeting for further research. Amendment would establish regulations for Main Street Corridor Overlay in Juanita allowing commercial uses in redevelopment district with reduced front setbacks and potential variance to reduce 50-foot compatibility zone to 25 feet. Commissioner Jackson raised concerns that 25-foot reduction could affect homeowners' ability to secure property insurance, as many carriers require minimum 30-foot separation from commercial structures.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Flex Space and Retail Plaza Standards Text Amendment

Approved.

Approved LDCT 2025-28 adding definitions and standards for flex space and retail plazas to Land Development Code. Amendment standardizes landscaping requirements and requires parking assessment for multi-use structures. In Business Park Center districts, commercial uses limited to 15% of square footage or one suite. Intended to improve customer service by consolidating standards and clarifying review process for structures that could be classified as warehousing or office.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Industrial Storage Yard Use Text Amendment

Approved.

Approved LDCT 2025-29 introducing storage yard as new use in industrial districts only. Standards include 100-foot setback with Type C buffer and fencing from residential properties, 25-foot setback from roadways, Type 1 driveway with 50-foot radius, and 80-foot gate setback from right-of-way. For finished goods only (not salvage), bulk materials must be in containers.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Showing the 8 most significant of 10 recorded zoning decisions. See all Polk County meetings →

Zoning Changes

• Residential Suburban → Business Park Center (BPC), 12.91 acres at Recker Highway (existing auto salvage yard) (Not specified)
• BPC-1 → BPC-2, 12.91 acres at Recker Highway (same property as above) (Not specified)
• Development of Regional Impact (DRI) → Institutional and Neighborhood Activity Center (NAC), 12.5 acres at Marigold Avenue and Hemlock Avenue, Poinciana (12.5 acres) (Toho Water Authority)
• Leisure Recreation (LR) → Linear Commercial Corridor (LCC), 1.32 acres at US Highway 17-92, northeast of Lake Alfred (1.32 acres) (TDW Land Planning)

Top Keywords This Month

• residential: 83 instances
• land use: 41 instances
• industrial: 30 instances
• comprehensive plan: 28 instances
• commercial: 27 instances

What to Watch

• Residential mentions were up 80% from February.
• Industrial came up 173% more often than February.
• Comprehensive plan saw 87% more mentions month-over-month.
• Commercial increased 80% compared to February.

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