Please be advised of the following neighborhood development issues which are raising concern.

Historic Preservation Board:  The LMNA sent a letter to the City of Lakeland Historic Preservation Board asking it to tighten its regulations regarding replacement windows and doors.  LMNA would like a policy change that requires the preservation of the old windows and doors at least on the front of the house and allow new windows on the sides and rear of houses.  This would preserve the historic street views of the houses and protect property values.

Code Enforcement Board: The LMNA sent a letter to the City of Lakeland Code Enforcement Board asking for it to impose fines and collect them on properties that come before the Code Enforcement Board.  This is going to take some time and require a big change in the City’s code enforcement philosophy.

St. Joes Catholic School:  As you know the school cut down the big oaks on the playing field.  The site plan shows trees on all sides of the playing field.  The school has also requested to tear down the old house on South Boulevard.  The house is a contributing structure in the neighborhood.  This case is scheduled for the July 16, 2009 Historic Preservation Board meeting at 7:30 am.

Florida Southern College:  FSC wants to build a Frank Lloyd Wright designed house on the northeast corner of McDonald and Johnson and use it as a visitor’s center.  FSC would buy the existing house, tear it down and build the center.  The school secured a pledge of $1 million from Polk County to help build the building.  The issue is the placement of a school building that will draw a lot of people and traffic into the neighborhood on the north side of McDonald.  Just two years ago, the LMNA worked with the college to allow it to meet its needs and now they are asking to significantly increase the uses allowed north of McDonald. 

FSC has been working with a cellular tower company on a plan to put a 170-foot cellular tower on school property south of McDonald off of Ingraham. 

We need neighborhood support to maintain the integrity of the Lake Morton Community.

Please watch www.lmna.org to follow on these developments.