More Than 80+ Acres West of Lake Eloise Drive Approved for Final Plat Approval and Subdivision Performance Bond
by James Coulter
More than 144 residential units could be constructed west of Lake Eloise Drive now that two plats with more than 80+ combined acres have been approved for a final plat approval and a subdivision performance bond.
At their regular meeting on Mon. Aug. 26, Winter Haven City Commissioners voted unanimously to approve two resolutions concerning two plats of land located west of Lake Eloise Drive being used for the Harmony on Lake Eloise subdivision.
The first resolution provided the final plat approval for a 33.19-acre subdivision tract, which, according to the resolution, contains “no building lots and five (5) common lots consisting of stormwater retention, and open space.”
The second resolution would release the performance bond for a 47.72+ acre subdivision, which contains 144 building lots and ten common lots. The bond is being issued for $3,380,922.21.
Both resolutions were put forward at the request of Forestar(USA) Real Estate Group, which is considering those plots of land for use as part of their Lake Eloise Phase Two Subdivision. Both subdivision plats are located west of Lake Eloise Drive and combined contain 80+ acres of land.
City Commissioners voted unanimously to approve both resolutions. However, many city residents have remained skeptical and raised concerns about the city’s push toward approving more residential developments.
One resident, Victoria Del Costio, expressed such frustration while speaking during public comments. She claims that she, along with many other residents, feels “overwhelmed” by all the developments currently underway and being approved for the City of Winter Haven.
She recalls more than 30 years ago when the Walmart Supercenter was constructed along Cypress Gardens Boulevard. She remembered her mother warning her that “this was the beginning of the end for small businesses.” Since then, that warning has rung even truer through all of the new developments.
“People that are new to the city are also overwhelmed by the number of houses going up,” she said. “The city should explain these processes…I think we have franchised out our town.”
