Chabad Synagogue Approved in 3-2 Vote
The development will also include townhomes and a daycare that some neighbors said will cause too much traffic and parking problems
Aug. 26, 2026
By Beth Kassab
The City Commission on Wednesday approved a new development near Park Avenue to include a synagogue with a daycare and five townhomes after hearing from residents about the meaning of Chabad of Greater Orlando’s work and the importance of it becoming the first permanent synagogue in Winter Park.
The 3-2 vote followed more than three hours of discussions and comments, including objections from some neighbors who said they worried the project will create too much traffic, noise and parking problems. Commissioners Elizabeth Ingram, Craig Russell and Kris Cruzada voted in favor while Mayor Sheila DeCiccio and Commissioner Warren Lindsey dissented.
“I’m willing to risk parking and I’m willing to risk traffic so people and children can have a better understanding of each other,” Cruzada said just before the vote, adding, “I’m willing to live in a little discomfort” to show acceptance in the community.
DeCiccio and Lindsey supported a motion to postpone the vote, not because they oppose the synagogue, but because they wanted additional conditions on the project such as moving the location of three parking spots closer to the townhomes and an agreement that the synagogue would hold multiple simultaneous events.
“We would welcome a synagogue in Winter Park,” DeCiccio said. “We are with you. We stand with you. Attorney [Rebecca] Wilson can tell you we do this to everybody who comes in.”
Wilson of the Lowndes law firm represents the developer of the townhomes as well as the synagogue and has logged hundreds of hours in front of the Winter Park board over years answering questions about developments down to the smallest details from a commission known to publicly dissect proposals.
When the project passed on the first of two required votes, DeCiccio suggested that before the second vote next month the developer move three parking spaces closer to the townhomes on the 0.6-acre site at the corner of Morse Boulevard and Knowles Avenue where the El Cortez apartment buildings stand today.
Other conditions previously approved by the Planning & Zoning Board include a requirement that child drop-off and pick-up related to the daycare take place in the underground parking area planned for the synagogue as well as prohibiting speakers or amplified music on the rooftop patio; requiring all noise and lights from the rooftop end by 10 p.m.; any expansion of the synagogue or daycare must go back to the city for approval and car lines related to daycare drop-off or pick-up can not spill onto the public streets.
Rabbi Dovid Dubov said most services at Chabad have just 10 to 30 attendees. He also said the location proved the best option for Chabad because other sites proved too expensive or not in a location that people could easily walk to.
A rendering shows what the synagogue will look like from Knowles Avenue.
No, it was not approved…..there will be a 2nd reading at the next CIty Commission meeting and further studies will be done between now and then.
Hi Linda, Yes, the story states that this vote was the first of two readings. The commission and applicant agreed to work out several more conditions between now and the second vote. Those are not yet available in writing but they center on parking and I believe concurrent uses of the building. Any new conditions are usually available in writing before the next vote. Sometimes, however, conditions are added in real time during a meeting if the applicant agrees to them.
Thanks for the clarification Beth!! Hopefully there will be some new conditions that can be agreed on. It was a marathon last night! Our Mayor and Commissioners are wonderful. You are too!
To rebut Ms. Wilson’s comment about the Edyth bush rental space- it is indoors and is not adjacent to residences .
Your headline states that the Chabad including townhomes, daycare and rooftop event center are approved- this may cause residents to miss the Sept 9 meeting. Each of the commissioners – including
three who voted in the affirmative – tasked the applicant to make changes in order to counteract some of the parking, traffic and noise issues raised by all five commissioners and residents. This is an organic process and the headline was very misleading – please encourage community engagement on all sides with your coverage
Appreciate the feedback. The story clearly states that there is a second vote in September. I agree that a lot of readers may be unfamiliar with the process of local government and the requirement for two readings for certain actions. Will try to make this even more clear in the future. Thank you!
I grew up in Winter Park and still own property there, so I’ve followed this proposal with interest. I do have a few concerns that I haven’t seen addressed.
First, where will 60 young children have space to play outdoors? The site appears to have very little green space, and the buildings will likely use most of the parcel. Other area schools seem to have much more open space, but this one does not.
Second, the proposed drop-off plan seems unrealistic. Requiring parents to use the underground parking area will likely create delays, since getting small children out of car seats and into the building takes time. For 60 children, that could add up quickly and create a significant bottleneck.
There is a small outdoor play area included in the proposal.
There is not a rendering showing the playground. The developer has provided very detailed site plans at the meetings, but the play area location is quite vague. Dcf will govern the daycare – it is unclear as to whether the space described will meet the criteria
Is the number of synagogue attendees relevant? Friday rvening/Saturday morning services and Jewish holidays will likely bring a lot more than the 10-30 number estimated by Rabbi Dubov, which is fine. Was just wondering if attendance numbers mattered since the subject was mentioned in the article.