Members of the Municipal Planning Commission (MPC) voted tonight (8.17.17) in favor of a change in the Lakeland land development regulations that would restrict title loan and payday lender businesses to the U.S. Highway 64 corridor.
The ordinance addresses “alternative financial services” and would apply to businesses such as pawn shops, cash advance, check cashing and flex loan operations. Those businesses would not be able to locate within one mile of any other similar facility and could not exceed 2,500 square feet in floor space per establishment.
The ordinance will be forwarded to the Board of Commissioners for its consideration.
In another matter, the MPC approved a sign permit application for the McDonald’s restaurant under construction at 9940 U.S. Highway 64 just east of Canada Road. A McDonald’s representative at the meeting said the new restaurant is expected to open on Sept. 29. He said the lease on the McDonald’s restaurant on Canada Road expires Sept. 20 and they have 10 days to vacate that property. At that time, McDonald’s has agreed to remove the tower sign at the Canada Road location.
Long-time Lakeland resident Carl Helton was sworn in as the newest member of the MPC/Design Review Commission. He fills a vacancy created by the resignation of Paul Vandiver.
… Photos by Lakeland Currents.
