After last minute change, commission unanimously approves McCraney building
The three-story development, which is the first approved in Orange Avenue Overlay, will provide offices and some other use such as a small restaurant or furniture store
Feb. 28, 2024
By Beth Kassab
The City Commission unanimously approved a three-story building of mostly offices on Wednesday at the six-way intersection of Orange and Minnesota avenues and Denning Drive.
Developer Steve McCraney’s project is the first to be approved under the Orange Avenue Overlay, which sets the tone and density for redevelopment along the corridor between Rollins College and U.S. 17-92.
The Commission appeared poised to deny the project with three commissioners — Vice Mayor Sheila DeCiccio and commissioners Todd Weaver and Marty Sullivan — saying they could not vote in favor of it because the building would only contain offices rather than mixed uses as the city code requires.
DeCiccio said she was concerned that allowing the departure from code would set a precedent for other developments that would undermine the vision for the area.
“If we capitulate to you on this issue the entire OAO is out,” she said. “We will be open to endless lawsuits for those who do not get their way.”
About three hours into the discussion, Mayor Phil Anderson called for a break. When the meeting resumed about 20 minutes later, McCraney attorney Becky Wilson offered that at least 25% of the building would include other uses such as a less than 12-seat restaurant, furniture store, personal service provider such as a fitness center or salon.
After that, all five commissioners approved the project.
A number of residents spoke passionately for and against the development.
Anderson said he considered it a “win-win” because McCraney could have built a much larger building on the property. He also noted the previous version of the Orange Avenue Overlay put in place by a different commission five years ago would have yielded a much different result.
“Five years ago, the prior commission had a very different vision,” he said. “The buildings would have been three to four times the size allowed now.”
WinterParkVoiceEditor@gmail.com
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By: Beth Kassab
No biography available at this time
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Won’t mixed-use create more parking challenges and more traffic than an office-only building? Aren’t inadequate parking and high traffic volume two of the most common complaints about the Orange Avenue district? I don’t understand…
No, no parking challenges due to mixed use here. McCraney and his lawyer were able to select from a long menu if possible mixed uses. Some uses would have made parking a challenge, so those were not chosen by McCraney. A mixed use that requires no additional parking will be chosen by McCraney and his lawyer gave the list of uses from which he would choose. This swung the three no votes to yes votes. Example: a blue print service vs a Lulu Lemon retail shop or large restaurant.