A new 244 unit apartment development may be coming to 12 acres of land behind the Lake Miriam Publix, pending approval by the Lakeland Planning and Zoning Board.

The land in question has seen various proposals over the last 20 years, but none have come to fruition. Currently zoned for commercial use, the land would be rezoned for residential use if approved.

Previously proposed commercial developments include a 34,000-sqft LA Fitness and a 180,000-sqft commercial development with 220,000-sqft to be added later.

With one primary concern being additional cars on an already busy road, let’s take a look at the impact that each development would have on traffic. Studies conducted for each proposal revealed that:

The LA Fitness center would have generated 3,224 daily trips, with 276 trips taking place during peak hours in the afternoon and evening.
Phase two of the commercial development would have generated 10,000+ daily trips, with roughly 1,000 trips taking place during peak hours in the afternoon and evening
The proposed apartment complex is projected to generate 1,328 daily trips with 100+ trips taking place during peak hours in the afternoon and evening.

Rather than making a recommendation on Dec. 21, the Lakeland Planning staff will present a recommendation on the proposal on Jan. 19., due to the volume of testimonies given by residents and the project’s complexity.