Uncommonly Lakeland!

Heidi Verbeek

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Partnership Lakeland Q&A

1. How do you see Lakeland developing (commercial, residential) and at what pace?

I have a great interest in maintaining that wonderful community feeling that one wants when raising a family and it is what Lakeland possesses. That feeling was the reason why my family moved to Lakeland and it is one of the reasons I am running for a Commission seat – I want that sentiment to be experienced by all Lakeland citizens.

This community is growing, but if we can keep growth at a modest level we will be able to maintain that community feeling without disrupting it with overdevelopment. In addition, modest growth leads to sustainable growth. We do need commercial and residential development to continue at a rate that will generate enough revenue to avoid property taxes. We need to be very selective in our choice of developments; we don’t want the development to ruin the natural beauty of Lakeland and lose that community feeling. We should solicit smaller, diverse and higher-end establishments that will be unique to Lakeland and have the potential to be highly successful, thus increasing the revenue generated from sales tax, which in turn will eliminate the need to impose a property tax.

In regard to residential growth, it would behoove the city to impose an impact fee on developers, which would be a way for them to give back to the neighborhood. More often then not, developers come into an area, flatten the land and don’t give much consideration to creating a community atmosphere. Impact fees can be utilized to replace green zones, create a city center for the neighborhoods they build or enhance the community by constructing attractive common areas. Lakeland should be a community of communities, not a community of subdivisions. I am not interested in living in a city that is constantly under construction, we shouldn’t develop for the sake of growing, but we should develop for the sake of growing a stronger community. We need to grow with smart, strategic planning.

2. Do I believe that a lobbyist in Nashville would benefit Lakeland? If so, why?

Currently, I don’t believe a lobbyist in Nashville would benefit Lakeland. I have successfully lobbied in Nashville for legislative items, I am familiar with the process and I know what it takes to get bills passed. My experience leads me to believe that a competent city administration that is knowledgeable of the process and the system coupled with a good working relationship with the state and other local representatives would be a successful combination for future lobbying, so there would not be a need for a hired lobbyist. As the city grows and issues evolve, there is the possibility that a lobbyist could benefit the city and I would not be opposed to entertaining the idea at that time, but at this point in the city’s stage of development I think refraining from hiring a lobbyist would be the right choice. The money saved on a salary can be applied towards other initiatives and/or services that provide a greater short term and long term impact to Lakeland.

3. How should Lakeland prepare for future schools?

I realize that County Government handles Shelby County School issues and therefore Lakeland would have limited input as to the development of future Shelby County Schools. However Lakeland, knowing of the potential growth of residential areas, could certainly plan for the possibility of future public and/or private schools. Areas could be identified as potential school development sites and subsequently the area surrounding that site could be developed with the future school plan in mind. For example, if a piece of land was identified as a potential school site, residential neighborhoods could be built around that area that would include such items as accessible streets and thoroughfares, traffic lights, sidewalks and a park. It would also be my recommendation, as mentioned before, to impose an impact fee on developers so that they are contributing to the neighborhood expansion.

4. How do I define a “Town Center” and do we need one and where?

A Town Center, in my opinion, is the Heart of a city and Lakeland could benefit from having such a locale. A Town Center will create togetherness, togetherness creates community, and communities are places where people want to relocate for the longer term. I envision Lakeland’s Town Center to have unique, upscale boutiques and open-air café’s. Individuals and families could stroll tree-lined streets, enjoy the surrounding bike trails, pedestrian walkways and parks. This location would be a place where Lakeland residents come to socialize with other residents, celebrate holidays, attend special events and festivals and ultimately enjoy the experience of being a member of the Lakeland community. The retail businesses and small café’s would increase city revenue without compromising the elegance of Lakeland, we wouldn’t have that big mall feeling, and the Center would be quaint, manageable and cost effective.

The Town Center location would need to be accessible and large enough for such a development. I would recommend that the Center be located close to the Canada Road bridge, possibly South of the outlet mall. This location would be ideal because the Canada Road bridge area is the gateway into the community, thus providing easy access to the “Center” of town. Additionally, this gateway certainly needs improvement, we no longer want to be known as the first or last truck-stop in Shelby County; we should be known as Lakeland, the beautiful city with a heart, a community where people want to raise their families or retire. The enhancement of the doorway into the city, Canada Road, the bridge, Huff & Puff, the revitalized outlet mall, and the addition of a Town Center is an idea that I believe would be favored by many Lakeland residents. We are proud of our city and this type of development would be a great example to Shelby County residents just how much we care about Lakeland.

5. Do I support measures to curb the population explosion that Lakeland is experiencing? If so, how would I balance that with a landowner’s right to develop their property?

Yes, I do support sensible and rational limits to curb the population growth that we are currently experiencing. An increase in population impacts the community and if there are no formalized guidelines for development it could result in overpopulation, which would have a negative impact on our community. Establishing guidelines is paramount.

Landowners have the right to develop their property; however any proposed development should be communicated to, presented to and approved by the city prior to breaking ground. I believe it is imperative that the city sets the standard for the types of development that can and should be done in Lakeland. City ordinances should be created to prohibit certain types of developments to be erected.

In many instances where rapid growth has not been curbed crime has followed the rapid expansion, something the citizens of Lakeland should be protected from. Over development of Lakeland can lead to our city becoming a group of subdivisions with the zip code 38002 being the only commonality, not a set of communities where we are all neighbors.