Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Winter Haven public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
30 issues with medium priority
VillaMar CDD Boundary Contraction
The developer of the Villamar community and its CDD are asking the city to vacate Tract G of the Phase 7 plat, a step that changes recorded rights-of-way or tracts in the subdivision.
8th Street NW and Ave L NW road project
The city is surveying and gathering resident input before designing water, sewer and complete-street upgrades, with a community meeting planned for December. A $507,584 design contract and a $1.7 million FDOT construction grant are already in place.
Community safety: CPR training, fire accreditation, Fire Station 5 and airport advances
The fire department trained 57 employees in hands-only CPR, deployed 38 AEDs and earned a 100% gold-standard safety accreditation. Fire Station 5 is about 90% complete and should open in January 2027, and the airport now has its own radio frequency and is building the nation's first truly remote digital control tower.
Commercial Improvement Grant Program Updates
The program helps Florence Villa businesses pay for property improvements. Staff will update the committee on its status and a proposed revision to the governing resolution.
Logistics Parkway Extension Construction Change Order
The commission reviewed a $119,827 change order for the Logistics Parkway extension project to cover unexpected drainage issues, roadway elevations, and gopher tortoise relocations.
Small Business Parking Code Enforcement
Residents and business advocates raised questions regarding commercial parking restrictions on unpaved surfaces, prompting commissioners to request a review of city zoning and code enforcement practices.
Jewett Alumni Association In-Kind Sponsorship Request
The Jewett Alumni Association requested city sponsorship and in-kind services for its upcoming 40th anniversary parade and community celebration.
City Manager Employment Agreement Amendment
Commissioners discussed a proposed contract amendment for City Manager T. Michael Stavres. The change would require him to take at least two weeks of vacation annually and allow him to cash out unused leave above standard department director thresholds, addressing hours he routinely forfeits due to work demands.
Lake May Marina Redevelopment Rezoning
Lake May District JV is seeking to rezone six parcels at 717 Sixth Street SW from heavy commercial to a PUD to allow a revamped marina, restaurant, boat club, and food trucks.
CRA Advisory Committee Appointments
The board considered filling vacant seats on both the Florence Villa and Downtown CRA advisory committees to maintain community representation.
Population Growth
Winter Haven just snagged the title of fastest-growing city in the U.S. Get ready for more traffic, a boom in housing developments, and some big changes coming to your local neighborhood.
Residential Improvement Grant for 1923 Brown St. NE
A local homeowner is seeking grant funding to install new gutters and a security fence along a busy roadway. This project aims to protect the home from water damage and improve neighborhood safety and aesthetics.
South Lake Howard Nature Park Expansion
Construction is underway to expand South Lake Howard Nature Park with stormwater treatment cells, a boardwalk, educational pavilions, and Winter Haven's first 13-hole disc golf course.
Traffic Calming and Speed Bumps
A resident voiced strong concerns about the number of speed bumps installed across city streets, arguing they damage vehicles and unfairly penalize all drivers.
Water Utility Coordination & Builder Relations
Local homebuilders raised concerns about communication breakdowns and delays in setting water meters, which increase construction costs and affect housing affordability.
Avenue K SW Roadway Transfer
Winter Haven officially took over the maintenance and upkeep of Boys Club Road from Polk County.
Commercial Rezoning at 2001 First Street North
Beacon Six Holdings is seeking to rezone a 0.46-acre parcel from Mixed Use to Commercial-Highway to build a new convenience store with fuel sales.
R.H. Malcolm Park CDBG Renovation
The city is moving forward with applying its 2026-2027 CDBG allocation of $296,202 to completely renovate R.H. Malcom Park, which hasn't been updated in nearly 20 years. Plans call for new playground equipment, safety surfaces, picnic areas, and ADA accessibility upgrades.
Avenue H SE Rezoning Request (P-26-10)
An applicant is asking to rezone two small lots from commercial to mixed use to bring an existing house into compliance and allow a duplex. City staff supports the change because strict commercial rules make the small lots hard to develop.
Utility Construction Contracting Methods
A local contractor questioned the city's reliance on Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) and design-build delivery methods for massive water and wastewater projects, urging a return to traditional competitive bidding.
Zoning Amendment for Parcel Rezone
A request to rezone a portion of a parcel from Planned Unit Development to Commercial-Highway and Conservation districts was scheduled for consideration.
Duplex Rezoning Request at 1519 8th Street SW
Antonio Araque has requested to rezone a 0.48-acre vacant lot from industrial to low-density multi-family residential to build a duplex. City staff supports the change because it fits the area's future land use designation and will likely reduce infrastructure strain compared to industrial uses.
Irrigation Schedule
Winter Haven is rolling out a brand new watering schedule, meaning you need to double-check your sprinkler days to avoid getting slapped with a city fine.
Winter Haven Regional Airport Fuel Supply Agreements
New aviation fuel supply agreements are being established at the Winter Haven Regional Airport to ensure reliable operations and fuel services.
Subdivision Regulations Update
Revisions to local subdivision rules to ensure compliance with updated state laws.
Lake Ashton II PUD Amendment
The city is reviewing a request from Lake Ashton II CDD to amend an existing Planned Unit Development ordinance.
Homelessness Enforcement
Winter Haven and other Florida cities are under heavy state pressure from the Attorney General to strictly enforce the public camping ban, targeting unhoused people sleeping outside. Basically, local leaders have to crack down or face state pushback.
Public Camping Enforcement
Winter Haven is currently locked in a dispute with the state Attorney General over how the city is handling new laws against public camping. This showdown is a big deal because it directly affects local homelessness policies and how strict the city has to be on the streets.
Septic-to-Sewer Conversion and Water Utility Grants
The city considered grant amendments and construction contract awards to advance septic-to-sewer remediation and water resource projects.
Land Conservation
Winter Haven is ramping up land conservation to save local green spaces from being swallowed up by rapid population growth. Expect the city to roll out new rules that force developers to balance building with keeping nature intact.