Uncommonly Lakeland!

Gerrit Verschuur

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Partnership Lakeland Q&A

1. How do you see Lakeland developing and at what pace?

While a member of the Board of Commissioners (BOC) I helped create the positive atmosphere that is now associated with Lakeland as a very desirable place to live. Residents I have talked to stress that they were drawn to Lakeland because of those very things that we tried to encourage in developments – quality and a rural atmosphere. It is now up to the BOC and Planning Commission to control growth triggered by our success by strictly adhering to the standards set by City Ordinances. This means forcibly resisting any and all attempts to crowd as many lots onto a given acreage as possible. With success come even greater growth pressures on our City. This is inevitable. But to control growth and the prevent destruction of our rural atmosphere we must be very finicky about insisting on quality, low-density developments and make sure that developers contribute to the costs of new streets, schools and fire stations. We must also encourage a rate of commercial growth that will generate tax dollars to balance the budget and enhance property values for all our residents. My dream is to see Lakeland develop harmoniously with every area of town feeling that they belong. This means rejecting efforts on the part of some who emerge at election times to sow the seeds of division as a quick way to obtain votes. Instead, let us accentuate the positive about living in Lakeland. After all, its up to all of us to make Lakeland a great place to live.

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

Temporarily hiring a lobbyist in Nashville to fight for funding of special projects may be important. For example, as regards the I40-Canada Road intersection we would still benefit from a concerted lobbying effort to urge TDOT to get on with the job. I do not think that TDOT has treated this problem with the urgency it deserves.

3. How should Lakeland prepare for future schools?

City staff have recently made the appropriate contacts with the Shelby County School District and have set in place a mechanism whereby the school district working with staff will plan for new schools in Lakeland. New developments must contribute to the initial capital costs incurred in educating the young people that will arrive here as the City grows. This must include the dedication of the necessary land for future schools. We must plan along these lines even before the school district “springs into action” to bring new schools to the area.

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

It is fascinating to see how various new developments are each creating a personality of their own, such as Oakwood with its Clubhouse, and Creekside Manor, Sterling Place and other HOAs with burgeoning social clubs within their communities. What we need is a larger community space specifically designed to hold HOA meetings and social events. Such a destination should be situated where retail businesses and a health center of some sort, perhaps a library and a post office and a fire station, are clustered as well. That, to me would be the beginnings of a Town Center, a place to gather and meet and to conduct business of mutual interest to all in Lakeland. My preference is near I40 and Canada Road alongside the exciting development planned in that area where a center of activity may yet emerge if favored by the City.

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?

This touches on my answer to question 1 above. The Lakeland Planning Commission and BOC must recognize that we do not have to accept every development project that is proposed. Plans can be rejected for no other reason than the City does not like the concept in the context of our long-term goals as regards quality of life, lot sizes, schools, streets, sewers, and fire stations. Landowners increasingly recognize this. When I was on the BOC we successfully rejected a plan for a major development near I40 whose quality did not meet our standards. That developer finally went elsewhere in the search of profits. Slowly the word has spread that Lakeland encourages quality developments. This creates problems, however. The better we do our jobs on the Boards to keep standards high, the more people want to move here and the more difficult it will become to curb the population explosion. As regards revenues, I have kept track of City budgets for the past 12 years and am confident that with continued prudent planning our income will keep pace with growth. You need only look at the $7 million or so the City has in the bank to realize that the City has been doing very well in balancing the books. Careful budgetary planning should be done in the context of a business-friendly atmosphere aimed at attracting quality sales-tax-oriented businesses to be located according to our Land Use Plan.

General Information

Gerrit Verschuur, Ph. D.
born Cape Town, US citizen since 1975
Radio astronomer, writer, inventor, IP consultant (self employed)
Adjunct Professor, Physics Department, University of Memphis
Married to Dr. Joan Schmelz for 21 years
One son living in England
Lakeland resident since 1992


Relevant experience
Board of Commissioners, Lakeland, 2001-2005
Board of Appeals, Lakeland, 2000 – present – currently Chair
Founded the Lakeland Economic Development Commission
Partner in the creation of a $10 million a year business
Editor of Lakeland Citywatch for the past 8 years
President of the Garner Lake Association for most of 10+ years
Helped found Partnership Lakeland
Member Lakeland Lions Club
Member Lakeland Civic Club – Board
Lakeland Estates HOA – Board