Lakeland is taking a firm stance on improving hotel standards after razing outdated structures like the Econo Lodge and the Relax Inn. Aiming to prevent similar occurrences and advance the caliber of visitor accommodations, the city’s Municipal Planning and Design Review Commission is proposing a zoning amendment with heightened requirements for new hotel developments. These measures reflect Lakeland’s commitment to upgrading its hospitality landscape, ensuring higher quality lodgings for tourists and reinforcing the city’s reputation for excellence in accommodations. With an enhanced regulatory framework, Lakeland is set to ensure future hotels are constructed to meet more rigorous standards, indicating a progressive shift in the city’s approach to tourism and urban development.
Stricter Criteria for New Developments
The proposed zoning amendment by the MPDRC, poised for a potential nod of approval by the Board of Commissioners (BOC), advocates for the necessity of a conditional use permit for future hotels on C-2 commercial properties. Through this permit, hotel developers will encounter a stricter vetting process, including close monitoring by city officials. The proposed measures go beyond mere structural concerns; they entail a requirement for hotels to be at least three stories tall and to offer interior room access. This contrasts starkly with the current motels that provide direct exterior access, a style now considered subpar in the evolving standards of Lakeland’s hospitality industry. The changes, contingent on the BOC’s decision on April 18, 2024, underscore the city’s determination to ensure that hotel construction reflects a commitment to excellence, further shaping Lakeland’s identity in the realm of travel and accommodation.
