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).