City gives partial approval to 53-unit Winter Park Commons project
The proposed rentals on the west side drew concerns about parking, flooding and traffic
Oct. 26, 2023
By Beth Kassab
City Commissioners gave partial approval Wednesday to a new development of townhomes between Swoope and Webster Avenues near Winter Park Village, despite objections from residents over potential flooding, traffic and the overall whittling away of the historically Black neighborhood on the city’s west side.
Commissioners stopped short of a full approval for the 53-unit Winter Park Commons, delaying until the Nov. 8 meeting a vote on details of the conditions required of the developer.
Mayor Phil Anderson said the delay would give the city and the developer time to perhaps widen the entry and exit points of the project to mitigate traffic concerns.
A number of residents said they did not like how the project, which would replace a now-vacant church, would add mostly townhomes rather than single-family homes to the neighborhood, possibly prompting some longtime families to leave the neighborhood because it’s changed so drastically.
“I just want to say I think beautification is important … we can help existing residents who might not be able to afford to beautify their homes,” said Roda Ward Carter, who owns a home on West Canton Avenue. “But, wow, you want to save the trees that are there. What about the families that are there? Families are more valuable than trees.”
One of the conditions the city is asking of the Miami-based developer, who bought the land in 2019, is to preserve three live oak trees on the land.
Rebecca Wilson, an attorney with Lowndes who is representing the developer, said Winter Park Commons has gone above and beyond the city’s typical standards for such projects and noted the property has been zoned for multi-family housing since the early 1970s.
The developer has already agreed to add additional stormwater retention — enough to hold three inches of water rather than the two inches required by code — to ease concerns about the special flood hazard area. Flooding of homes and streets in that area was particularly severe following Hurricane Ian last year.
“I have not lived in this city nearly as long as these neighbors have … I appreciate the things they said,” Wilson said. “No one is denying they went through a tremendous tragedy with stormwater during those hurricanes. We recognize that and we are doing what we can, which is more than what any other developer has been asked to do, to address stormwater.”
Other conditions, which likely will increase in number before the next meeting, include:
- The five parcels involved (totaling 4.5 acres) will be consolidated to one, and the single-family units now included in the plan will be zoned as individual lots so they can be sold that way in the future.
- No changes are allowed within a 20-foot radius of three live oak trees in the interior of the project.
- The seven single-family homes to be built on Capen Avenue must show architectural diversity and cannot be the same style or color.
- The newly required water retention areas must include planting new cypress trees as well as perimeter landscaping.
The seven single-family homes in the plans were originally townhome duplexes, but concerns about compatibility with the neighborhood drove the change.
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This would really be great without the 53 units. They do not belong in a neighborhood of single homes. This is the pattern we see-build without any concern for the existing residents and build bigger and taller. And traffic going in and out at all hours will contribute to congestion. Very sad to see what Winter Park has become.
It’s so sad to see what Winter Park has become. More congestion means more accidents that may end with the residents, pedestrians and even tourists becoming the victims while attempting to cross the streets and neighbors who presently cannot even back out of their own driveways.
They keep increasing the density in that part of town. How are they to get in and out? The logical choice is Denning, right? Oh, but wait, the City, in its infinite wisdom, REDUCED the capacity on Denning, even as it continues to increase the number of residents who live in that area. The line of traffic going south on Denning at Fairbanks backs up to Castle Park on a regular basis. It takes 3, 4, 5 cycles to get through. This just moves more and more traffic over to Pennsylvania which also experiences backups. smh
Muffinman, Thanks for supporting the Westside neighborhood. We have spoken out for years on this type of development but it went over the Commissioners and staff heads.
My prayers are that one day we all
Be treated with same respect and dignity.
The error was committed years ago when our existing churches received the underlying zoning of medium density residential. As existing churches continue to shrink or fail, it is impossible to take this right to build density away from the new property owners/developers without paying damages to those owners. The old library also has a time bomb zoning designation. Of course, 53 units do not belong on the site of the former church. It is part of the continuous degradation of the neighborhood that once was the historic West Side. Poof.
I totally agree that this will add fuel to the fire!
Traffic and Congestion are the key words in Winter Park’s apparent taste for townhomes and several story apartment living spaces. Have you noticed the daily traffic backup on Fairbanks Avenue from the 17-92 light?
I echo the above statement that 53 unit developments do not belong in a neighborhood of single family homes, especially in Winter Park and also feel very disappointed for the disregard of existing residents. Building bigger and taller is not better in Winter Park. We certainly do not need any greater traffic congestion on our already traffic stressed streets either!
Turning Winter Park into Baldwin. Ugh.
If the City Commission was sincere about wanting black people to live in Winter Park they would take affirmative action to attract and keep black residents.
For example he City could offer rental assistance in the new homes for those residents displaced by the redevelopment.
If Winter Park would give black residents a voucher for 50% of the rent in the new homes then they could stay in the neighborhood. And if there weren’t enough takers to the offer the City could extend it to any other black person who wanted to move into the new homes.
Winter Park could advertise in the Sentinel “If you are black, come live in Winter Park. We love black people. Even our peacock is black!”
Because actions speak louder than words.
The City Commission had no problem flying the “pride” banners but never flew the black flag.
That in itself says that the City Commission loves homosexuals more than it does blacks.
So they aren’t fooling anyone.
Everyone knows what’s really going on.
“How come anybody wants to build somethin’ they always have to build it on the West Side?
Not mentioned is whether the developer will be required to have cost-effective housing as part of the development.
I think that issue should be addressed before approval.
What is one extra inch of storm drainage in the midst of climate change and more hurricanes predicted yearly for the future?
Why were not laws passed long ago to prevent the buying up of the historical west side?
What about the view of the residents already there?
All who wish more traffic in Winter Park raise their hands.
And they are adding more density even as they reduced road capacity on Denning by reducing from 4-lanes to 2-lanes. It already takes 3-4 traffic light cycles at the Denning/Fairbanks intersection. More volume through a smaller path = even more traffic backups.
Who are the poor individuals whose lots will have two dumpsters for 53! units placed at the back corner of their lots. Shameful if this is approved.
Has anyone noticed it is often the same lawyer making the asks that eat away at the character of the West Side and the City of Winter Park as a whole? Nothing personal, but I would suggest that when as a resident you see this lawyer speaking to promote a proposal that does not fit where it’s proposed, dig deeper. There will be weak spots, vulnerable spots. They may be hidden or left out of agenda packets. But, read those packets more closely. Ask questions and show up at meetings to oppose. It’s sad to say that only in numbers can residents successfully oppose negative, unnecessary trends like increasing density, vesting what ought not be vested, and reducing parking. Staff won’t protect you. The commission won’t do this for you. Sad but true. The hard work of standing up comes down to residents.