Board approves Wekiva Island 'Spring and Strings' special‑event permit; commissioners debate possible development‑order amendment

The Seminole County Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved a special‑event permit for Wekiva Island’s “Spring and Strings” summer kickoff on May 29, allowing amplified sound until 9 p.m.

Kathy Hamill, planning staff, said the two‑person musical act will perform in front of the Tooting Otter General Store from 4–9 p.m.; because the applicant requested amplified sound and extended hours the permit required board approval. Hamill told the board staff found the request met the requirements of the Seminole County Land Development Code and recommended approval.

After approving the permit, Commissioner Constantine raised a separate, related matter: she said she and staff had sought agreement among the property owner, adjacent homeowners and Wekiva Island stakeholders on a minor amendment to the site’s development order that would allow staff to administratively approve repeat, unchanged events rather than require every event to return to the board. She said both sides had agreed in principle and asked staff to bring a draft amendment back to the board. Legal staff cautioned that amending a development order is a defined administrative process that property owners generally must initiate and that staff would follow the standard process if an amendment request is filed. Several commissioners said they supported the idea of pursuing an amendment through the formal process but cautioned against making ad hoc changes at a public meeting.

No formal motion to amend the development order was made at the meeting; staff said they would take direction and follow the usual process if the property owner files a request. The special‑event permit itself was approved by unanimous vote.