Chapel Lakes Development Advances, Still Needs Final Approval

A proposed residential development known as Chapel Lakes is continuing to move through the approval process, marking progress while still awaiting final action from the city’s Board of Commissioners (BOC).

Earlier this year, the project remained in the sketch plan phase, indicating preliminary review status. By mid-March, however, Chapel Lakes had advanced to formal consideration before Lakeland’s Municipal Planning & Design Review Commission (MPDRC), signaling forward momentum in the city’s development pipeline.

At its March meeting, the MPDRC reviewed both the outline plan and the preliminary development plan for the proposed Planned Development. The commission voted to forward the outline plan to the Board of Commissioners with a recommendation for approval, while granting approval to the preliminary development plan at the commission level. Final authority over the overall development framework rests with the Board of Commissioners.

As of March 30, the project had not yet appeared on recent Board of Commissioners agenda summaries, indicating that final consideration is still pending.

The proposed development site is located on the west side of Chambers Chapel Road, just south of Oakwood Grove subdivision. Plans for Chapel Lakes include a mix of residential lot sizes and zoning designations aimed at creating a diverse neighborhood layout.

According to project details, approximately 54% of the lots would fall under the R-1 Suburban Estate designation, requiring a minimum lot size of 17,500 square feet. Another 28% would be designated as R-2 Suburban Manor, with minimum lot sizes of 10,000 square feet. The remaining 18% would be classified as R-3 Suburban Cottage lots, featuring a minimum size of 5,500 square feet and alley-loaded access.

In addition to residential construction, the proposal sets aside approximately 30% of the total area as common open space. Planned amenities include a community pool, pickleball courts, and a network of interconnected walking trails.

City staff have reviewed the proposal and determined that it aligns with Lakeland’s Land Development Regulations and is consistent with nearby developments.

With preliminary approval secured, the next step for Chapel Lakes is review by the Board of Commissioners. Their decision will ultimately determine whether the development proceeds, contributing to Lakeland’s ongoing residential growth.

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