Auburndale, Florida

trails,” Palmer recounts. “The area is made up primarily of orange groves owned by two large landowners. Those landowners actually helped fund the vision document that was created last year with the City. We split the cost in hiring Kimley-Horn, our consultant, and came up with this vision that identified what the needs were for the area.” “That vision was adopted late 2019,” Palmer continues. “In March, we were to hold our next public workshop to move the process forward into land development regulations, to really identify what a village center would look like, what densities would be allowed in the residential areas, what requirements there would be from developers about trails and parks when they’re doing their planning, and what other things that the public had identified as needing.” Shutdowns due to COVID-19 led to the City canceling that meeting and in August they presented it as a virtual meeting through ZOOM. Along with the virtual meeting, the City of Auburndale and Kimley-Horn developed a survey for residents to take online that will gather opinions on how they would like to see the Lakes District vision implemented. “The Lakes District is something that the City and its residents are very proud of,” she adds. “And I get calls, frequently, from people who hear rumors about commercial development or new residential projects coming along. They’re very concerned and tuned into how development occurs, which is a good thing. So, to have a Lakes District in Auburndale is pretty exciting and to have the property owners who helped contribute to that vision document is pretty special. I don’t think you’d find that in a lot of places.” Meanwhile, Auburndale is also working to make the city even more attractive to the new generation of workers who often prefer to live in walkable, bikeable, downtown neighborhoods. Its Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) has invested money in establishing “complete streets,” while simultaneously applying grant