Winter Garden approves series of ordinances, fee waivers and development agreements

The Winter Garden City Commission approved a package of ordinances, development approvals and agreements at its regular meeting, including changes to the city’s building-permit process, a rezoning request, easement vacatur, a permit‑fee waiver for the Boys & Girls Club and several site and event approvals.

The actions move multiple projects forward and clear administrative steps for both downtown redevelopment and neighborhood services. Several items are routine approvals but include financial or land-use details that affect future construction and operations in the city.

Ordinance 25-15: The commission approved Ordinance 25-15, which amends city code section 110-60 to align Winter Garden’s expedited building-permit process with section 177.073 of the Florida Statutes and to permit submittal of building permits for residential properties before final plat recordation when statutory conditions are met. Staff noted a risk that permits issued before a final plat could require later adjustments to plats; a second reading and public hearing were scheduled for June 26, 2025.

Ordinance 25-16: Commissioners approved rezoning approximately 0.2 acres at 522 South Woodland Street from R-2 (residential) to RNC (residential neighborhood commercial). Staff said the rezoning would align the parcel with its future land-use designation and allow the owner to later apply for a special-exception permit to establish a small professional law office. Staff reported one nearby resident concern about delivery‑vehicle parking related to a neighboring Ace Hardware store; the applicant will be required to address parking through the special-exception review process.

Ordinance 25-17: The commission approved vacating a portion of drainage and utility easements affecting Lots 19 and 20 of the Winter Garden Commerce Center (properties at 620 and 630 Garden Commerce Parkway). One parcel already contains a 17,017-square-foot warehouse/office; the easement vacatur will allow lot consolidation and construction of an additional warehouse/office building, staff said.

Permit‑fee waiver for Boys & Girls Club: The commission voted to waive and have the city cover permit fees, impact fees and state surcharges for the new Boys & Girls Club facility on Ninth Street. Staff reported the total fee amount at $83,180.25 and recommended the waiver to support construction of the facility.

Nonexclusive recycling franchise: The commission approved a nonexclusive franchise agreement and a related indemnity/letter-of-credit agreement to allow a private recycling collector to operate in Winter Garden. The business owner, identified in the meeting as Robert, told commissioners he will collect aluminum cans, paper and paperboard, glass and plastics using 14‑gallon tubs to customers. The franchise requires a $50,000 letter of credit that the city could draw on for operations that affect public streets. The owner said initial pricing would be about $25 per household.

Downtown parking fee agreement: The commission approved a parking-offset agreement for 160 East Plant Street, a proposed Parlor Donuts location. The applicant will pay $15,000 into the city’s downtown parking fund to offset a shortfall of required parking spaces; staff said employees would be asked to use underutilized city lots on busy days.

Code-compliance settlement: The commission approved a settlement with property owner Alastair Rogers to resolve outstanding code-enforcement fines. Staff said the city had earlier assessed fines that accrued to about $167,200 after code violations at 114 North Street; under the agreement, Rogers will pay a lump sum of $35,000 and execute an 8.5-foot right-of-way/sidewalk/landscape/utility easement on the west side of the property as part of planned streetscape improvements on Tenth Street. The city would release the lien and forgive most accrued fines upon receiving payment and the executed easement.

Site plan approval for 210 and 214 South Dillard Street: The commission approved a mixed-use site plan with commercial uses on the first floor (4,589 gross square feet, 3,690 net leasable) and two dwelling units on the second floor. The site plan includes 16 parking spaces, a dry pond and landscaping and was found consistent with the property's PCD requirements.

Fire Station 22 reroof: The commission approved Skylight Roofing’s proposal to reroof Fire Station 22 at a staff‑recommended price of $57,788. Staff said the full replacement was necessary after damage to shingles and that the work would be handled under the city’s insurance through Public Risk Management.

Special events: The commission approved the Winter Garden Police Department’s National Night Out on Tuesday, Oct. 7, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., including temporary barricades on segments of Tremaine Street and South Lakeview Avenue. The commission also approved the Winter Garden Police Athletic League’s Donut Dash 5K and related route and timing for Nov. 8, 2025, beginning at Newton Park.

Votes and next steps: All items listed above carried unanimously; several land-use ordinances (notably Ordinance 25-15) were scheduled for second readings and public hearings on June 26, 2025. Staff contact names and additional planning steps were provided in the meeting agenda packet for applicants and residents.

Less-critical items approved included routine administrative motions and a postponement of one CRA agenda item to the next meeting.