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Since proposing a move to Memorial Boulevard in July 2025, Talbot House Ministries has faced strong neighborhood opposition.
Now, the organization has withdrawn from a de novo hearing, scheduled for Monday, April 20, that would have effectively restarted the proposal process.
Commissioners’ reactions
On Friday, April 17, the city removed Talbot House’s de novo hearing from the April 20 City Commission Agenda. Several city commissioners said they had been made aware of Talbot House’s decision to withdraw before Friday’s agenda study.
Commissioner Ashley Troutman made the motion on April 6 for the de novo hearing, saying the Planning and Zoning Board’s denial letter did not meet Florida Statute requirements. He said he strongly believed a de novo hearing was the right course of action.
“I’m disappointed that we won’t be able to come together as a community and work through the tension … to have a recommendation that would have addressed all parties’ concerns,” Troutman said. “I believe we could have gotten there based on conversations I was having on both sides of this issue.”
Commissioner Chad McLeod, who voted on April 6 for the de novo hearing, said via text that he was surprised by the decision, as he and fellow commissioners had been preparing for Monday.
“I’m curious to find out what Talbot House’s next steps are after they reevaluate,” he wrote, “but this certainly takes pressure off the Commission to try and make a decision on something that has had such strong public opposition.”
Commissioner Terry Coney, who also voted for the new hearing, echoed MeLeod, saying he was surprised that Talbot House withdrew “at such a late day in the game.”
“I think they will go back and reevaluate their processes, what they’re currently doing,” Coney said. “I don’t think they’re going to give up on the move or give up on building a new building, so it’s just a matter of location.”
“You have to look at Talbot House more than just a shelter for the homeless,” Coney said, mentioning the medical and dental care that it provides.
He said that the high rate of people without health insurance in Polk County — around 15% according to the United Community Indicators — contributes to a high utilization rate at Lakeland Regional Health. “That expanded free clinic would have provided a service for the people that don’t have health insurance, which could have reduced the usage rate at Lakeland Regional,” Coney said.
“I am thankful for the civility and great community engagement concerning the Talbot house potential relocation,” wrote Commissioner Mike Musick via text. “I felt that Jon Kirk designed an amazing building that would have served the needs of the community very well.”
“Ultimately, we would have needed to decide about compatibility with the area, but we are truly thankful for all of the supporters, the legal team, city staff, and my fellow commissioners for listening to the public and taking these topics so seriously,” wrote Musick, who voted for the de novo hearing.
On April 6, Commissioner Guy LaLonde Jr. voted against the de novo hearing, saying that he supports Talbot House’s mission, but he is against the relocation to Memorial Boulevard.
On April 17, LaLonde said via text that he respects Talbot House’s decision to withdraw. He echoed his previous comments in support of the organization’s mission, saying “Addressing homelessness requires compassion and a community-wide commitment to solutions.”
“At the same time, my responsibility as a commissioner is to remain fair and unbiased,” he wrote. “Any future proposal would need to stand on its own merits and demonstrate compliance with the Land Development Code, particularly around compatibility and intensity. That evaluation would be based on the record at that time.”
Looking forward, LaLonde said, “I remain committed to solutions that reflect both compassion and responsibility for all people in our community.”
How did we get here?
Initial pushback led Talbot House to submit a revised plan for their Memorial Boulevard campus in November 2025, but nearby residents said the changes didn’t ease their concerns about safety and the future of the corridor.
In December 2025, Lakeland’s Planning and Zoning Board voted 4-1 to block Talbot House’s bid to relocate.
Then in January 2026, Talbot House’s attorney Tim Campbell argued the board’s decision wasn’t based on the city’s rules, but on bias against the people the facility would serve.
Campbell’s appeal forced another vote by the City Commission — this time to determine whether the Planning and Zoning Board had followed the law.
Prior to that vote, protesters took to Memorial Boulevard in opposition, and on April 6, over 75 residents attended the City Commission meeting to voice their concerns.
Ultimately, commissioners voted 5-2 on April 6 to reconsider Talbot House’s proposal in a de novo hearing, scheduled for April 20, where commissioners would have evaluated the zoning request with fresh testimony and evidence.
On Thursday evening, April 16, Maria Cruz, executive director of Talbot House, emailed a statement to news outlets announcing its withdrawal from the scheduled hearing.
At the time of publication, Commissioner Stephanie Madden and Mayor Sara Roberts McCarley could not be reached for comment.
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