Polk County Zoning Decisions: June 2026

In June 2026, Polk County held 4 public meetings covering zoning matters. 35 zoning decisions had a recorded outcome this month: 30 approved (94% approval rate), 2 denied, 3 deferred. Activity was up 249% compared to May (169 activity items across 2 meetings).

Zoning Decisions This Month

Highland Street Mobile Home Park denial at 2730 West Highland Street

Denied.

De novo hearing for a 19-unit mobile home park on 4.93 acres at 2730 West Highland Street, west of Lebanon Road, south of New Tampa Highway. Density 3.85 units/acre in RL4. Applicant KDC-not; applicant is current owner represented by Chad Brooker of Traditions Engineering. Septic (Lakeland lacks wastewater capacity), 100-year no-discharge pond, and a ditch drainage easement offered. Neighbors testified about severe flooding. Planning Commission denied; staff recommended approval. Board denied on compatibility grounds; motion by Commissioner Scott.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Old Dixie Highway SPD denial at 1994 Old Dixie Highway

Denied.

De novo appeal hearing for LDSPD 2025-2, a 31 single-family lot suburban plan development on ~15 upland acres at 1994 Old Dixie Highway, west of Polk Parkway in Auburndale. Density 2.07 units/acre (up to 3 allowed); min lot 10,010 sq ft on septic. Owner/applicant Tony Wierschke, engineer Chad Brooker of Traditions. Planning Commission approved; staff recommended approval. Appealed by John Leonard representing 40+ residents on compatibility (enclave). Board denied on compatibility grounds; motion by Commissioner Scott. Chair and Commissioner Troutman opposed the denial motion.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Shimmering Drive CAC Expansion Comp Plan Amendment

Approved.

Future land use map and text amendment on approximately 3.87 acres from residential low to community activity center, expanding the approx. 93.5-acre CAC district south of Shimmering Drive, ~300 feet east of State Road 37. Applicant Dario Cardona (owner) planning retail/office. Passed unanimously. Level 4 review to Board of County Commissioners July 21.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

West Cannon Heights Duplex Conditional Use

Approved.

Conditional use approval to convert an existing single family home to a duplex on 0.40 acres in a residential low three district at 1210 Northwest 33rd Street. Existing home remains; interior converted with a firewall; two existing septics. Applicant represented by Angela Williamson. Mildred Smith, president of the Inwood Association, spoke in opposition citing property-tax impacts on elderly residents. Passed unanimously.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Short-Term Rental at 3119 North Highway 5547 (Davenport area)

Approved.

Conditional use approval for a short-term rental on an unplatted approximately 2.63-acre residential medium lot at 3119 North Highway 5547, north of Davenport, using the existing 3,600 sq ft home. Passed unanimously. Level 3 review; approval applies to subject property only.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Keller Road future land use map change from phosphate mining to ARR

Approved.

Future land use map designation change from phosphate mining to agricultural residential rural on 19.47/19.48 acres (nine parcels) east of the city of Fort Meade along Keller Road. Sites developed with residential dwellings in the 60s and 70s, never owned or used for mining.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Rucker Highway future land use map change to Industrial

Approved.

Small-scale comprehensive plan amendment / future land use map amendment for 8.59 acres from Business Park Center to Industrial on Rucker Highway just south of the city of Auburndale, in the Transit Supportive Development area, adjacent to a railroad on the east side.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Organic Matters Comprehensive Plan Amendment near Bartow (US 17)

Approved.

Change 71.26 acres from business park center to industrial in the rural development area, south of Bartow on US 17. Applicant Organic Matters (Ronnie Barron, general manager, owner). Passed unanimously. A resident spoke in opposition fearing a future data center; staff noted data centers are not a permitted use in the county.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Showing the 8 most significant of 35 recorded zoning decisions. See all Polk County meetings →

Zoning Changes

• Zoning change at North side of 540A just west of US Highway 98
• Zoning change, 25.8 acres at Highway 37 south of the city of Mulberry
• Zoning change, 19.47 acres at Keller Road, east of the city of Fort Meade
• Zoning change, 2 acres at Mount Pisgah Road, near the city of Fort Meade
• Zoning change, 39 acres at Fort Grove, south of the city of Fort Meade
• Zoning change, 8.59 acres at Rucker Highway just south of the city of Auburndale
• Zoning change, 3.81 acres at State Road 60, north of Mulberry
• Zoning change, 71.26 acres at US 17 south of Bartow, near Homeland (Organic Matters)

Top Keywords This Month

• residential: 110 instances
• land use: 72 instances
• commercial: 48 instances
• comprehensive plan: 45 instances
• industrial: 35 instances

What to Watch

• Residential mentions were up 197% from May.
• Land use came up 132% more often than May.
• Commercial saw 336% more mentions month-over-month.
• Comprehensive plan increased 543% compared to May.
• Industrial is new this month with 35 mentions, not present in May.

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