The BOC (Board of Commissioners) met tonight (10.3.19) for a work session at City Hall with nine items on the regular agenda for discussion, no action taken.
Link to Livestream: https://livestream.com/lakeland/events/8842489
Link to agenda: https://tn-lakeland.civicplus.com/Archive.aspx?AMID=&Type=&ADID=877
Apartments moratorium
Commissioner Wesley Wright brought a resolution to the table for a moratorium on new stand-alone multi-family developments in Lakeland.
Specifically referenced tonight was about 100 acres owned by John Hyneman at the northwest corner of Canada and East Davies Plantation Roads, including the Paintball Park. The proposal for that property includes 200 apartments.
Commissioner Wright said the suggested 18-month moratorium would not impact developments already approved (The Lake District and Lakeland Commons) but future development. He said he was concerned about impact to schools and other ramifications.
Mayor Mike Cunningham said the developer is ready to go with this project, a high-end, high-rent development which would generate tax revenue for the City. The Mayor said the City needs the tax revenue and can’t afford to wait four to six years for The Lake District (TLD) to build out. He said he didn’t have a problem with a finite number of apartments for the City (currently TLD has 500 apartments planned, Lakeland Commons, 200). But first come, first served, he said.
The Mayor said Mr. Hyneman is ready to start now. “We have some future funding to take care of,” he said, referencing a recently approved and funded $60 million USDA loan to build the first high school in Lakeland and refinance a loan on the two-year-old middle school. “The piper is going to come calling.”
The Lake District is under construction at the southeast corner of Canada Road and I-40; Lakeland Commons is building at Seed Tick and Memphis Arlington Roads.
The Mayor said commissioners should consider what the developer (Mr. Hyneman) wants to do before throwing up a moratorium.
Commissioner Wright said the Hyneman property is the second most valuable in the City. “Let’s see what we can do with this.”
Commissioner Richard Gonzales Jr. said the project is out there. “I don’t want to cut him off.”
Security cameras
Commissioner Wright introduced a resolution to purchase 20 Flock Safety cameras to place throughout Lakeland. The annual cost is $2,000 per camera. It will take about 45 days to install the cameras and then the City will have a free 90-day period to test the cameras, he said. There is potential that the Shelby County Commission will have grant money for Lakeland to utilize for camera purchases, he said, but details are not clear yet on the dollar amount or the number of years grant money would be available.
He said he’d like to get the cameras in place for the holidays, for Lakeland to be proactive. “This will set the tone for criminals. We don’t want them to come here.”
Commissioner Gonzales said he was concerned about the money because the City does not currently have a finance director. Commissioner Wright reminded him the City will not owe money until after the 90-day trial.
The Mayor said he’d like to see a contract which shows everything. He said the last mention of cameras in the City was for one trial camera for 90 days. City Attorney Will Patterson said there is a copy of the draft contract and he would provide it to commissioners.
Mayor Cunningham said he spoke with Tennessee Sen. Paul Rose who has the ear of Gov. Bill Lee.
The state, he says, has money for projects and funding the cameras “popped into my mind.” Commissioner Wright said if the Mayor is suggesting projects to the Governor, consider adding a traffic light at Seed Tick Road and U.S. Highway 70.
Delta Blues Winery
Scott Patterson spoke to the BOC about classifying the Winery as a brewery to sell hard ciders and wine spritzers. The state requires the classification for anything under 10% alcohol. He said there will be no beer-brewing at the Winery. He noted such a classification would increase Lakeland taxes and his income.
Other business
Commissioner Gonzales referred to a glitch in minutes from the last BOC meeting. He said there was a recess to meet with the City Attorney and not a motion to recess. “This is a legal document,” he said, and must be accurate. The City Attorney suggested “no objections” would be sufficient language in the minutes.
Forrest Owens, city planner, provided details on the Lakeland Meadows Planned Residential Development Phase 1. There is a resolution to approve a residential subdivision contract with Renaissance Developments, LLC for the 33 lots in Phase 1.
Commissioner Gonzales took exception to a resolution to reduce the security for public and common improvements in Evergreen Manor Subdivision.
He shared slides of issues in the neighborhood including “clumps of trees” with no mulch; an open ditch which fills with water and trash; a pond which flooded in May; dead trees; and a dangerous old stormwater drain. He said Lakeland resident Clint Starnes helped prepare the list of grievances. He said he would like to consider holding the money back to get some changes made. Mr. Owens explained that Evergreen Manor is a straight subdivision and not a planned development, with different requirements based on City code.
Parks and Recreation Director Kevin Rooney introduced a resolution for a contract with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation for a grant contract of $500,000 for the proposed Lakeland Athletic Complex at Memphis Arlington and Canada Roads.
Commissioner Michele Dial sponsored a budget amendment for new access off Canada Road along with lighting for the dog park project.
Mr. Rooney said the plan is to provide direct access to this park instead of going through the neighborhood. Cost to do the project, he said, ranges from $92,000 to $150,000. He said the advisory board for Parks and Rec asked for $200,000 to also include a parking lot and lighting. Commissioner Gonzales again said he would like to make a decision after the City hires a finance director. Commissioner Dial urged fellow commissioners to allow the project to be put out for bid to know the actual costs. “It’s been held up for so many months,” she said
Also discussed were funds for the EDC (Economic Development Commission) to utilize for marketing of the City. Commissioner Wright said there are already monies in the budget for marketing. Commissioner Gonzales asked that the projects and dollar amounts be presented to the BOC.
Commissioner Wright introduced the topic of zoning restrictions and safety of vape and e-cigarette shops. The City Attorney said the MPC (Municipal Planning Commission) can make a recommendation to rezone which would come before the BOC to institute.
… File photos from Lakeland Currents
