Winter Garden adopts local procedure to address state emergency-restriction changes; ordinance approved unanimously

The City Commission unanimously approved Ordinance 25-23 at first reading on Sept. 11, creating a new section in Chapter 98 of the Winter Garden code to address relief related to declared-emergency restrictions tied to recently adopted state law (Senate Bill 180).

Planning staff said the new code section would allow an applicant to request reversion to an earlier version of the city’s land development code or comprehensive plan if the applicant makes a good-faith argument that a newly adopted change is more restrictive or burdensome to a proposed development application. Staff described the ordinance as a compliance measure with the new state provisions while preserving a city process to initiate its own regulatory changes.

Commission discussion praised the approach. One commissioner credited Dan Langley (staff) for the idea and said the ordinance positions the city to protect local processes and property rights within the constraints of new state law. Staff recommended approval and the commission approved the ordinance at first reading; the item will return for a second reading and final public hearing Sept. 25, 2025.

No members of the public spoke on the ordinance during the Sept. 11 hearing.