Hiwassee Lake Shores Plan Development seeks to lift appliance store prohibition

Residents of Orange County may soon see changes to a long-vacant lot at the corner of Old Winter Garden and Hiawassee, as the Orange County Board of County Commissioners discussed a proposal to amend the Hiwassee Lake Shores Plan Development during their March 11, 2025, meeting. The proposal includes removing a prohibition on appliance stores and adjusting several setbacks to align with updated county codes.

The applicant, represented by architect Zack Kaske, seeks to establish a new appliance store on the site, which has been undeveloped for years. The request to lift the prohibition on appliance sales was met with some community concern, particularly from local resident Raul Gomez, who expressed worries about the potential impact on the surrounding residential area, which includes a church and an elementary school.

In response, Kaske assured the board that the store would operate similarly to a Best Buy, with no exterior displays of appliances, and emphasized that a six-foot wall and mature trees would help shield the store from view. He noted that the proposed development would include three retail spaces, with the appliance store being one of them.

Commissioners raised questions about the history of the prohibition, which dates back to 2003. Some expressed hesitation to remove it without understanding the rationale behind its initial implementation. The discussion highlighted a lack of clear documentation regarding the prohibition, leading to concerns about making an uninformed decision.

Ultimately, the board decided to continue the discussion to the next meeting in April, allowing staff time to conduct further research into the history of the prohibition. This decision reflects the commissioners' commitment to ensuring that any changes made to the development plan are well-informed and considerate of community concerns.

As the process moves forward, residents will be watching closely to see how the proposed changes may affect their neighborhood and the future of the vacant lot.