Longwood allows outdoor storage and privacy screening at American Industrial Center; commission denies barbed wire

The City Commission voted unanimously on June 16 to grant a special exception (SP 01-25) allowing outdoor storage and privacy screening at 1100 Charles Street, part of the American Industrial Center, and to deny a requested allowance for barbed wire on the perimeter fencing.

City planner Kintner told the commission the applicant requests outdoor storage and ‘‘blue screening’’ inside a chain-link fence; the city is comfortable with screening and the storage use but staff recommended against barbed wire because the city’s code explicitly prohibits it. Derek Regalman of Lee & Associates, representing the property owner GK 2 Orlando LLC, said the owner ‘‘would like to do’’ barbed wire for security but acknowledged it was not strictly necessary and said the proposed project would be an improvement over the existing vacant lot.

Commissioners asked about the nature of outdoor storage. Regalman said current and prospective tenants in the park store materials such as PVC pipe, irrigation equipment and pavers, and that the fenced area could also serve as secured trailer parking for tenants or third-party truckers. Commissioner Morgan moved to approve the special exception consistent with staff recommendations but to deny the barbed-wire request; Deputy Mayor Schumacher seconded. The roll-call vote was unanimous.

The approval allows outdoor storage and privacy screening subject to the city’s conditions; barbed wire was explicitly denied. The commission tied its decision to the city code and prior precedent, noting barbed wire had been permitted only in a prior instance where staff and police demonstrated an ongoing crime problem.