The Times They Are A-Changing

Lakeland is constantly changing, and recent developments will have a major impact on Lakeland and the Lakeland community. Some projects creating change include the following:

NEW CANADA ROAD ALIGNMENT:

The Lakeland Board of Commissioners has created a Stakeholders Committee to work with the consulting engineers on developing the alignment and amenities of New Canada Road. This is the first phase of the New Canada Road project.

The Board established the membership of the Stakeholders Committee to include a member selected from Lakeland boards and commissions, a representative of (and selected by) each homeowners association/neighborhood association along the route, four representatives of businesses and landowners along the route, and two members from the Lakeland community.

Residents interested in appointment to the New Canada Road Stakeholders Committee should submit a letter/e-mail of interest to CityHall@lakelandtn.org (put New Canada Road Stakeholders Committee in the subject line), mail or drop off at City Hall, 10001 Highway 70, Lakeland, Tennessee 38002 or fax to 867-2063. Stakeholders Committee members will be expected to invest a considerable amount of time in this project in attending meetings and reading.

Appointments of the representatives of businesses and landowners are made by the Board of Commissioners.

INTERNATIONAL HARVESTER MANAGERIAL CLUBHOUSE

The Board of Commissioners’ September 4, 2008, Agenda will include an agreement with the International Harvester Managerial Clubhouse for the City of Lakeland to schedule the main part of the IH Clubhouse for public or private activities in the immediate future instead of 2015 as scheduled in the current lease agreement.

The agreement specifically provides for the International Harvester Club Managers to continue to utilize the Clubhouse and property in accordance with the original donation agreement, with the exception the City will handle the scheduling of the Clubhouse for civic and private groups.

Since the original lease agreement, the City has established and increased its capacity to provide recreational activities to Lakeland residents, and the ability to schedule the IH Clubhouse will substantially increase recreational opportunities in Lakeland.

The Lakeland Board of Commissioners has established guidelines to provide for continued use by the IH Clubhouse by Lakeland based civic groups, as well as booking private groups on a fee basis.

The City is currently in the process of upgrading the clubhouse. The upgrade started last year with the installation of central air conditioning.

The Lakeland Community certainly owes a lot to the foresight of the International Harvester Managers who purchased the property in the (I understand) mid- fifties and agreed to donate the building and 66 acre park to the Lakeland Community. The clubhouse and property will always be used for park and recreational purposes and will be a significant recreational feature in Lakeland.

The City agreed to name the park the International Harvester Managerial Park in recognition of the International Harvesters Managers’ substantial gift to the community. On behalf of all of Lakeland residents, I extend a big thank you to the International Harvesters Managers for this land and clubhouse that will forever be an asset to the City of Lakeland.

FIRE STATION # 2

While a lot of details remain to be worked out, the City of Lakeland and Shelby County are considering an agreement for the City of Lakeland to build Lakeland Fire Station # 2, which will be staffed by the Shelby County Fire Department.

The Agreement, which is on the September 4, 2008, Board of Commissioners Agenda, must be approved both by the City of Lakeland and Shelby County.

The station will provide enhanced fire protection to Lakeland residents as well as continue to increase the fire protection infrastructure in the event the City of Lakeland must establish a Lakeland Fire Department.

Preliminary plans are for Fire Station # 2 to be located in the City Hall area along Highway 70, although this could change.

STONEBRIDGE GOLF COURSE

The September 4, 2008, Board of Commissioners Agenda will include a proposal to establish a “Purchase Committee” to negotiate for the purchase of the Stonebridge Golf Course.

If the City is successful in purchasing the Stonebridge Golf Course, the City will renovate the greens and make clubhouse improvements. Tentative plans are for a restaurant at the clubhouse and upgrading of the clubhouse.

LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS

Perhaps the most significant potential change in the future of Lakeland is the potential new Land Development Regulations. I urge all residents to become familiar with and comment on the proposals. Information is available at www.Lakelandtn.gov, and the Planning Department holds regular “1 on 1” meetings for residents who have questions on the proposed regulations.

The schedule of “1 on 1” meetings is posted on Channel 19 and at www.Lakelandtn.gov, and at www.youtube.com (search for Lakeland news) and reminders are on www.Twitter.com (follow Lakeland or City of Lakeland).

Trash/recycle schedule changes due to Labor Day

All scheduled trash pickup and recycling pickup will be changed to one day later due to the Labor Day Holiday on Monday, September 1.

Refuse pickup normally scheduled for Monday will be picked up Tuesday etc. Recycle pickup normally scheduled for Tuesday will be picked up Wedensday and recycle pickup normally scheduled for Wednesday will be picked up Thursday.

Reminders of the new schedule will be posted on http://www.twitter.com/ (follow Lakeland or CityofLakeland).

September Calendar changes

City Hall will be closed Monday, September 1, 2008 in observance of the Labor Day Holiday.

The Lakeland Board of Commissioners Work Session, normally scheduled for Monday, September 22, is rescheduled to Monday, September 29.

The BOC Regular Meeting is on the normal date, Thursday, October 2, 2008. The Town Meeting will start at 5:30 p.m.

The September calendar for Lakeland meetings is at http://www.lakeandtn.org/. Lakeland meetings are also on Comcast Channel 19, http://www.youtube.com/ (search for Lakeland news) and reminders are at http://www.twitter.com/ (follow Lakeland or CityofLakeland).

New Canada Road Stakeholders Committee

Letters of Interest are being accepted from Lakeland residents who are interested in participating in a “Stakeholders Committee” for New Canada Road. Four Members who are property owners in the area of New Canada Road and two Members who are residents of other areas of the City will be appointed to the Stakeholders Committee.

Letters of Interest may be e-mailed with the subject line “New Canada Road Letter of Interest” to CityHall@lakelandtn.org, mailed to City of Lakeland/New Canada Road, 10001 Highway 70, Lakeland, Tennessee 38002 or faxed to the City of Lakeland at 867-2063. We are asking for all Letters of Interest to be submitted by September 19, 2008. The Board of Commissioners will make the final appointment of all interested participants from these categories.

The New Canada Road Stakeholders Committee will work with the Project Engineer and City of Lakeland in recommending the alignment and preliminary design of New Canada Road. Design elements of the roadway include amenities such as landscaping, bicycle lanes, and street islands. The alignment of New Canada Road will also be a critical element in the decision making. The new alignment must fit into existing and developing neighborhoods while keeping the natural characteristics of Lakeland. It is anticipated that six meetings will be held with the Committee in the coming year to review and comments on the alignment and design elements. Most meetings will be held in the late afternoon and last no more than three hours. In addition to the stakeholder meetings, several public meetings will also be held to provide information to the public.

The Stakeholders Committee is composed of representatives of the Homeowners Associations/Neighborhood Associations along Canada Road and New Canada Road, a representative of several Boards and Commissions and the four positions for property/business owners along the route and the two general “at large” positions.

A considerable amount of time and effort will be required for meetings and reviewing information provided for the important decisions involved in the project.

The New Canada Road project has been planned since at least 1992 and is expected to be completed in 2012. The project is funded by a federal grant which will pay for 80% of all costs. The City of Lakeland is paying the remaining 20%. The Project is anticipated to costs nearly $10,000,000 and be completed by 2012.

Recycling/meeting reminders on www.Twitter.com!

Recycling day reminders and meeting reminders as well as notices are available on www.Twitter.com.  

Sign on to www.Twitter.com and follow either "Lakeland" or "City of Lakeland" to receive reminders.  Notices are limited to 140 characters so messages will be short!

Canada Road Bridge closing 8-22 to 8-25 for repairs

The Tennessee Department of Transportation announced the Canada Road/I-40 bridge will be closed for repairs from 7:00 p.m., Friday, August 22, 2008 until 6:00 a.m., Monday, August 25, 2008.

One lane of Westbound I-40 traffic will also be closed.

Lakeland Phone book ad/announcement opportunities

Businesses, civic organizations and individuals are invited to purchase advertising in the forthcoming Lakeland PhoneBook. This will provide long term exposure for your message to all current and new Lakeland residents. As a bonus, proceeds from the ads are used to benefit the Lakeland Civic Club which invests the funds in the Lakeland Community for the benefit of the Lakeland Community.

Lakeland Civic Club members and other Lakeland residents are contributing their time to verify names and addresses etc. as well as selling ads and have put a lot of hours into this project.

If interested, contact Margaret Brown at 388-9190.