At the Lakeland Board of Commissioners meeting this evening, a new sketch plan was submitted for a development at Canada Road and E. Davies Plantation Road. The property right off I-40, which is approximately 100 acres, is currently owned by the Hyneman family and would be called Lakeland Park.
According to the conceptual plan, and the presentation itself, the development would include a gas station and convenience store at the corner of the property plus commercial buildings along Canada Rd and Davies Plantation Road. According to Mr. Hyneman it would also include at least one hotel, some restaurants, possibly some medical offices, and a sprawling residential section. According to Hyneman representatives, the residential section would be targeted to the senior community and empty nesters.
The vision for the senior living community would include a multi-story apartment building, as well as small “cottage” homes. The proposed lot sizes for the homes would only be 55-foot wide. When asked about home prices the estimate of $375,000 was provided with Mr. Hyneman saying, “not everyone can afford a $500,000 house.” The amount of homes in the development would make it one of the five largest neighborhoods in Lakeland.
Hyneman officials described the retail aspect of the property as a place of convenience for those traveling along I-40 on their way into Memphis, as well as for residents. That in comparison to The Lake District which they called more of a “destination” type location.
Mayor Cunningham and Commissioner Gonzales Support
Mr. Hyneman told the board he believed the project was a “slam dunk” and Mayor Mike Cunningham, as well as Commissioner Richard Gonzales, agreed. Both Mr. Cunningham and Mr. Gonzales called the project “exciting.” Mr. Cunningham also praised Mr. Hyneman for his work in the Memphis market saying, “you have a good track record in this city.” In his praise of the plan, Mayor Cunningham said Lakeland was starving for more retail and that he didn’t see much of anything on the plan that needed to change.
Mr. Gonzales said he was the most excited that a TIF (Tax Increment Financing) agreement was not part of this development like it was for The Lake District. However, Mr. Hyneman immediately responded saying “I never said I would not ask for one (a TIF).” Even with that confusion, Mr. Gonzales told Mr. Hyneman “you have the green light from me.”
Opposition From Rest Of The Commissioners
But with the praise of the project from Mr. Cunningham and Mr. Gonzales still echoing in the city hall chambers, support for Mr. Hyneman’s project quickly fell apart.
Commissioner Wesley Wright said he was not in favor of the project as presented saying it was going back to what Lakeland wants to avoid. He gave Highway 64 as an example of poor urban design and how this project was very similar in his opinion. He was also critical of the large gas station and convenience store at the corner of the development saying, “it’s not something we want to move forward with.” Vice Mayor Michele Dial was also critical saying the traffic congestion the project would cause as proposed was very concerning. Vice Mayor Dial emphasized how important that intersection is to the future of Lakeland and the board needed to make sure they get it right saying, “we don’t want to put something risky on that corner.”
Perhaps Commissioner Jim Atkinson, who was also the former City Manager and City Planner for Lakeland, was the most critical. Commissioner Atkinson pointed out a multitude of problems, from the number of homes on small lots, all with a similar look and feel, to the traffic issues it would most certainly cause. Mr. Atkinson said a development with similar parameters had not been approved in Lakeland in many years so why would they approve one now? “We’re setting ourselves up for regret,” Mr. Atkinson told the board. A frustrated Commissioner Gonzales asked Commissioner Atkinson what he does like about the project to which Mr. Atkinson later responded, “I don’t like any part of it.”
Without the necessary majority support of three commissioners, Mr. Hyneman told the board he might just sell the property. Mr. Atkinson told him the plan can be revised and brought back if major changes are presented, but no word if that will happen at this time.
