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Wait, what’s a special use permit? Understanding development terms in Lakeland, Florida

A rendering of a new residential and retail development in Lakeland, FL

The Oak Street lot will be a mixed-use development. | Rendering by The Lunz Group courtesy of The Onicx Group

If you want to be a development detective but find yourself turned around by development jargon, never fear.

Here are some definitions of common terms paired with ongoing projects and examples you might recognize in Swan City.

Mixed-Use

Projects that provide more than one purpose in the community, like a building with apartments on top and retail shops on the bottom.

Expect to see combinations of housing, retail, parking, commercial, and industrial components.

Example: The upcoming Oak Street development.

Rezoning

Changing an area of land from the city’s designated use.

Examples of rezoning requests might be developers looking open a business in a residential area.

Example: The Downtown West Gateway.

Special Use Permit

A blue ombre mural on a white chapel building. — The Chapel was proposed for a former funeral home chapel.

Provides relief from regulations when land is being used in a manner not normally compatible with the zoning.

It is only granted when the intended site use is deemed appropriate and compatible with the surrounding area.

Example: The city recently denied a conditional use permit for The Chapel on the grounds of incompatibility.

Enterprise Zones

TYOM Lakeland Header — Lakeland’s midtown area is one supported by the CRA.

Areas of the city where building a site earns you incentives, like a break on real estate taxes or money back from costs of relocating, machinery and equipment, or construction permits.

The goal is to promote economic development in under-utilized areas.

Example: The Lakeland Community Redevelopment Agency works to improve certain community areas including Midtown (think: The Yard on Mass and The Well), Dixieland, and downtown.

Single-family home

A freestanding building that shares no walls with other homes or structures.

Pro tip: If you live in a south Lakeland neighborhood, your area is most likely zoned differently than downtown apartments. You can look up your address online to learn more about how your area is zoned.

Multi-family home

One building that contains multiple housing units.

Pro tip: You can find the land designations — including Lakeland areas zoned for multi-family housing — on this map.

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Tuesday, Jan. 31

Jazz Faculty: The Music of Horace Silver | Tuesday, Jan. 31 | 7:30-8:30 p.m. | Florida Southern College, 111 Lake Hollingsworth Dr., Lakeland | Free | FSC’s Jazz Faculty will perform the hits of pianist and composer Horace Silver — no tickets required.
Music Bingo, Fun Run w/ Fat Maggie’s Food Truck | Tuesday, Jan. 31 | 6:30 p.m. | Swan Brewing, 115 W. Pine St., Lakeland | Free | Take part in a fun run at 5:30 p.m. and play along with music bingo at 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 1

Trivia Time | Wednesday, Feb. 1 | 8-10 p.m. | Molly McHugh’s Irish Pub, 111 S. Kentucky Ave., Lakeland | Free | Compete with your team for gift vouchers and bragging rights at trivia and bar games.
Line Dancing & Karaoke | Wednesday, Feb. 1 | 5 p.m. | Union Hall, 1023 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland | Free | Boot scootin’ boogie on down to learn some new moves, then show off your pipes with karaoke at 8:30 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 2

A Winter Reflection | Thursday, Feb. 2 | 7-9 p.m. | Painting with a Twist, 3670 Harden Blvd., Lakeland | $39 | Bring your favorite refreshments to hang out with friends while painting a snowy mountain step by step.
Free Yoga for Wellness - Weekly Classes | Thursday, Feb. 2 | 5:30-6:30 p.m. | The Cloven Hoof Farm, North Lakeland | Free | This donation-based yoga class focuses on the holistic well-being of the mind, body, and spirit.

Friday, Feb. 3

Spirit of the Buffalo Pow Wow and Native American Festival | Friday, Feb. 3-Sunday, Feb. 5 | Times vary | International Market World, 1052 US Hwy. 92 W., Auburndale | $0-$5 | See dance competitions, historic village displays, craft vendors, and more at the second weekend of this festival.
Wine and Dine: Spanish Wines | Friday, Feb. 3 | 6:30 p.m. | Publix Aprons Cooking School, 4730 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland | $60 | Learn how to pair wines with Spanish dishes you cook, like seared snapper and traditional flan.
19th Annual Rotary Twilight 5k 2023 | Friday, Feb. 3 | 7 p.m. | 929 Lake Hollingsworth Dr., Lakeland | Join a sunset run around Lake Hollingsworth to benefit maintenance at Common Ground Playground.

Saturday, Feb. 4

Lakeland Downtown Farmers Curb Market | Saturday, Feb. 4 | 8 a.m.-2 p.m. | Downtown Lakeland | Free | Find fresh produce, plants, and locally handcrafted items at this outdoor farmers market.

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

Weather

85º | Partly cloudy | 10% chance of rain

Community

Hundreds of steppers will visit Lakeland this week for Stepmetheus — a dance competition featuring 20+ step teams being held at Kathleen High School. Lakeland teacher Corey Tumer launched Taken By Surprise, a step program for Lakeland-area students, in 2010 to increase the recreational opportunities for students. (LkldNow)

Seasonal

Are u ready? U-pick has returned to Ridge Island Groves in Haines City. Stop by from Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. to pick to your heart’s content. For more information, check out Ridge Island Groves’ website. (Bay News 9) 🍊

Read

Mulberry High School student Autumn McMahan is celebrating the recent publishing of her first book — “Stellar Dreams” — with a book signing at Pressed on Saturday, Feb. 25 from 4-6 p.m. Autumn, 14, began writing “Stellar Dreams” when she was 11, and plans to begin on a sequel soon. 📚 (The Ledger)

Eat

Be the life of the Mardi when you show up to your Mardi Gras party with a King Cake — AKA, a delicious ring cake that’s traditionally green, purple, and yellow. You can order yours from La Imperial Bakery by calling them at 863-500-4422. 🎉
#TerraceTabletop: The Terrace Grille’s scratch kitchen is known for serving Florida’s freshest flavors in an upscale, tropical-inspired atmosphere. Stop by for breakfast, lunch, dinner (including happy hour), or weekend brunch. Make a reservation.*

Try This

The Red Tent Initiative and The Rose Dynasty Foundation are partnering up for a Valentine’s Day event you’re sure to remember: The Queen of Hearts Garden Party. Stop by for art performances, music, drinks, and small bites. Tickets can be purchased online — dressing on-theme is encouraged, but not required. ❤️

Shop

Calling all bargain hunters. Beacon Hill Fellowship is holding a multi-family yard sale this Saturday, Feb. 4 from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Stop by for everything from clothing to household items and collectibles.
Jude Coffee, From Beverly Bakery, and The Curated Collective are hosting a pop-up event on Saturday, Feb. 4 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Swing by The Curated Collective (401 S. Florida Ave.) to shop antiques, cake, and coffee. ☕️

Concert

Lakeland artist Michael McArthur is going on tour with stops from Lakeland to Portland, Maine. Tickets to the Lakeland shows are extremely limited — night two has already sold out, but you may be able to snag a ticket for night one on Friday, March 3 in Florida Southern College’s Danforth Chapel online.

Asked

Spring break is just around the corner. Reader Carla C. is wondering about spring break camps, and so are we. Tell us about a can’t-miss spring break camp. Or, if camp isn’t quite your style, check out these destinations for a spring break road trip within 90 minutes of Lakeland. 🌴

Finance

If you’re like us, getting more financially fit (read: saving more money) tops your 2023 resolutions. From year-round budgeting for the next holiday season to a free financial coach, here are four ways to reach your financial goals this year. *

Biz

Looking for a place to host your next team meeting or conference? Catapult has a variety of meeting rooms for rent that can accommodate any group. Take a look at the options.*

Trending

The internet’s most popular cup is back in stock. The Stanley Quencher is beloved for its comfortable handle, large straw, ability to fit in your car’s cup holder, and how it keeps water cold for 11 hours. Plus, the popular 40 ounce size means all day hydration. 💧*

Content marked with an * is brought to you by our advertising partners and helps make this newsletter free.

Payne Air Conditioning & Heating Inc. c/o McQueen Marketing

The more barbecue the better

Our favorite barbecue spots around Lakeland, Florida

A plate of BBQ meat, baked beans, coleslaw, and mac 'n cheese.

We’re already drooling looking at this plate. | Photo by @bluedogcraftbarbecue

4 Rivers Smokehouse is underway on South Florida Avenue. While we anxiously await trying our followers’ favorites (brisket tacos, grit cake, and cornbread salad, oh my), you can find us at these Lakeland BBQ joints.

Blue Dog Craft Barbecue | Enjoy BBQ classics at The Joinery; stop by Mayday Ice Cream next door for dessert.
Lakeland BBQ Company | Pitmaster Joel Vann has competed in nationwide professional barbecue competitions.
Jimbo’s Pit Bar BQ | Specializes in ribs, chicken, and pork; stop by the drive-thru and walk-up windows for quick ordering
Mission BBQ | Loved for its signature sandwiches serving active-duty military personnel and veterans
Mojo Federal Swine & Spirits | Known for craft cocktails, whiskey bar, outdoor seating, and a pet-friendly atmosphere
Peebles BBQ | More than 73 years in the BBQ biz

Is your go-to for brisket, hushpuppies, and mac ‘n cheese not on our list? Send it our way.

THE BEST BBQ FOR YOU

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Rilee.

Editor’s pick: I’ll definitely be stopping by The Curated Collective this week for the Jude Coffee and From Beverly Bakery pop-up. If you do, be sure to congratulate my friend Jordan on his new daughter (remember this?) while he’s preparing your drink. 🍼

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? We fell in love with some Valentine’s Day offerings from our Six & Main shop, here.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Rilee Delgado, Connor Keith, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Kailey Burke | Advertise with us.

Content marked with an * was created in partnership with 6AM City’s advertising partners. Paid content helps keep this newsletter free. 6AM City may also receive a commission on purchases made through affiliate links in this newsletter.

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