What was an issue was the lack of design guidelines for the historic area of Lakeland. The second reading of an ordinance that will increase maximum heights for multi-family buildings is Monday.

LAKELAND — City commissioners didn’t seem to object to increasing maximum building heights in a portion of the Garden District, but the lack of design guidelines for the district was a concern voiced at an agenda review workshop Friday morning.

On the agenda for Monday is the second reading of an ordinance that will increase maximum heights for multi-family buildings from 40 to 60 feet. The problem, according to some commissioners, was that all the guidelines for historical districts pertained to single-family homes.

“People buy in this area knowing it will cost a little more,” Commissioner Justin Troller said. “My problem isn’t with the height, it’s with the guidelines. We can’t allow no guidelines in a district we value and consider historic.”

In February 2017, the commission voted to remove a line that permitted the district’s Historic Preservation Board to halt new construction. There is a four-story, 40-unit apartment building planned by Baylis Consulting. The 54-foot-tall building can not be built without commission approval on Monday.

“I think it’s up to us form a line,” Commissioner Scott Franklin said. “These developers are going to go right up to the line. Right now, we have no line.”

The city staff recommendation is to approve the measure. Staff members noted that meetings were held with the public and it was determined that the changes would meet market demand for higher ceilings, allow for underneath parking and provide views of downtown. Staff also said that the current vacant parcels are prime for larger buildings.

“The changes at this point are what the commission and the community have asked for,” City Manager Tony Delgado said.

Commissioners conceded that the decision will set a precedent in the district. Commissioner Don Selvage said he wasn’t particularly pleased with the look of the Baylis project, but wasn’t sure it was the commission’s responsibility to mettle in the process.

“I assume they’ve spent money,” Selvage said. “They’re not asking for government funding. Why are we looking at this issue?”

Commissioner Stephanie Madden said she understood concerns from residents, but noted that the city did its due diligence.

“Even though there has been feedback, I think the fear is what happens next,” Madden said. “Even the residents that have reservations about this would have to agree that we have gone into the community.”

City Attorney Tim McCausland said the commission has the option to table the measure. McCausland added that staff will prepare guidelines related to design that the commission can adopt during Monday’s meeting. That meeting begins at 3 p.m. at City Hall, 228 S. Massachusetts Ave.

“We have to have guidelines that keep the area historic,” Troller said. “I think this project is a catalyst — one way or another. We have to do it right.”