In the past year, the Lakeland Planning and Zoning Board has seen a lot of what they wouldn t typically expect: active participation. I would say that the cases that have come before us in the past 12 months have been unusually more controversial, Community Planning and Housing Manager Teresa Maio said.
Maio said she doesn t know whether it s a coincidence or if as development pressures increase, residents become more active and observant about what s happening in their communities. She also hopes participation can be connected to the board s publishing of agendas online and promotional social media.
Regardless of the reason, the number of residents attending meetings is definitely up, Maio said. While in the past, one or two cases a year may have drawn major input, there s been a lot more resident turnout for case decisions throughout 2020.