4-minute read
Lakeland commissioners voted 5-2 Monday, April 6, to reopen Talbot House’s controversial proposal for a large social services campus and shelter on Memorial Boulevard, after a lively meeting that drew more than 75 residents.
The vote does not approve the project. It sends the case back for a new hearing April 20, where commissioners will reconsider the zoning request with fresh testimony and evidence.
The appeal was meant to focus on whether the Planning and Zoning Board properly applied city rules when it denied the request in December. Instead, it became a broader debate.
Thirteen residents spoke — 11 opposed, two in favor — raising concerns about crime, traffic, nearby schools and the future of Memorial Boulevard’s revitalization.
The proposal would allow a roughly 72,000-square-foot facility with up to 390 beds on about 2.6 acres at Memorial Boulevard and Ingraham Avenue.
A rendering shows the medical clinic entrance of Talbot House’s revised Memorial Blvd. plan. | Straughn Trout 
The staff and community entrance. | Straughn Trout Architects 
The free Good Samaritan health clinic at Talbot House. | Straughn Trout Architects 
The employment solutions center entrance. 
The residential programs and operations entrance. | Straughn Trout Architects 
The interior dining room would look out on green space. | Straughn Trout Architects 
Talbot House Ministries acquired the lot at 1005 E. Memorial Blvd., immediately west of its original proposed site. | Straugh Trout
A reset, not a decision
Several commissioners stressed the vote was about process, not the project itself.
“Going into de novo, we start fresh,” Mayor Sara Roberts McCarley said. “We start fresh with fresh eyes and fresh ears and a fresh board looking at this application.”
Commissioner Ashley Troutman, who made the motion, pointed to a flaw in the denial letter.
“Florida Statute requires that the denial include citations to specific ordinances,” he said. “Given that lacking thereof … my motion is that we have a hearing on April 20.”
City Attorney Palmer Davis agreed: “I think there’s a potential problem with that.”
Commissioner Mike Musick said the vote should not be read as support.
“I don’t know if I agree with that building being in the right spot,” he said, adding the earlier hearing “forces our hand … to go to that de novo hearing.”
Residents raise familiar concerns
Opponents, some wearing T-shirts created for a protest last month, said the issue is not Talbot House’s mission, but its size and location.
“The issue before us is strictly one of the proper land use, appropriate scale and whether this specific location is suitable,” said Wanda Avery.
She said the project is “simply not compatible with the vision of Memorial Boulevard,” warning it could affect traffic, infrastructure and economic reinvestment.
Others focused on safety and quality of life.
“We have an obligation as a society to protect our kids,” said Brandon Walpole.
Chanel Bellotto, owner of Skate World, said her business is “part of a broader network of businesses, churches and schools, and together, we create a trusted, family-centered environment along this corridor.”
Raydene Read said it took her two months, but she got police statistics about crimes within half a mile of Talbot House’s current location.
“They’re going to bring 400 people, basically. What are those 400 people going to do? Are they going to help the Memorial Boulevard corridor with economics?” she asked.
Supporters: Decision must follow the code
Supporters argued the Planning and Zoning Board relied too heavily on public fear rather than planning standards.
“The presence of people … perceived as undesirable because they’re homeless is not substantial evidence of incompatible use,” said architect Michael Porter.
Merline Paul Brown, a retired nurse who has been feeding the homeless for several years, added: “These people are human beings, the last time I checked. … If you spend time to talk with them, you will realize you’ve got intelligent, creative human beings we are throwing away.”
Talbot House attorney Tim Campbell said the board ignored “competent, substantial and fact-based evidence.”
“That’s not how decisions will be made,” he said. “That’s not a fair way to do it.”
A split on the dais
Commissioners Stephanie Madden and Guy LaLonde Jr. voted against reopening the case and signaled opposition to the project.
“Who could not fall in love with the project? It is a beautiful building,” Madden said.
“But … we have a public period, because lay testimony does count … people who live there.”
She added: “Why do we ask people to be civically engaged at all? … Housing is different, Mr. Campbell.”
LaLonde said he supports Talbot House’s mission, “but not the relocation.”
What’s next
Before adjourning, LaLonde asked staff to gather additional data, including police, fire and EMS calls tied to Talbot House’s current site and crash data for Memorial Boulevard.
McCarley opened the meeting with a call for civility: “I know we’re all going to be civil … because we are Lakeland and we don’t act the fool.”
Afterward, she added: “It’s never as easy as it looks to the outside observer. … We appreciate you being a part of this discussion.”
latest news
Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.
Great article Cindy. Thanks for sharing.