Lakeland officials are considering additional development standards along Highway 70 as the city works to manage future commercial growth while protecting nearby residential neighborhoods.
The issue was discussed during the Aug. 13 Municipal Planning and Design Review Commission meeting. With roughly 1,100 homes already built or planned along the corridor, officials expressed concern that incompatible commercial development could affect neighborhoods and property values. Mayor Josh Roman noted that previous planning efforts and public input have favored concentrating commercial development in designated areas rather than creating a continuous commercial strip along Highway 70.
City Planner Alex Barthol presented three potential approaches: comprehensive zoning changes, purchasing undeveloped property for public use, or creating an overlay district with additional development standards. An overlay could allow the city to regulate elements such as site design, access and appearance while maintaining existing zoning rights.
The discussion builds on Lakeland’s 2023 commercial development moratorium and the recently adopted Highway 70 Corridor Study. Commissioner Jim Atkinson said the city should take a proactive approach to avoid the strip-style development seen along Highway 64. No action was taken at the meeting due to a lack of quorum, but the issue is expected to return for further discussion.
