Commission backs McKinley Homes mixed‑use plan at Deerfield/Morse Road; asks applicant to refine access

The commission recommended approval of a land‑use amendment, rezoning and variances to allow a mixed‑use redevelopment at 12725–12735 Morris Road that would add a 110‑unit condominium building, a three‑level parking deck, retained office uses and about 5,000 square feet of ground‑floor retail, alongside a 12‑foot multi‑use trail that ties into the Windward LCI trail network.

Staff said the Windward LCI envisions this node as part of a town center and that the proposal converts a sea of surface parking into connected uses with public amenity space and a civic plaza. The applicant's parking study showed the proposed mix would provide about 822 spaces (including a 210‑space deck) and exceed the UDC requirement (811 spaces required as presented in the staff summary). Staff recommended 28 conditions including saving key trees, providing a multi‑use trail and public open space at the Morris Road/Old Morris Road corner, and requiring a pedestrian connection to the shopping center south of the site.

Kenneth Wood of McKinley Homes said the developer is investing in office renovations, will activate the lake edge and agreed to staff conditions. Commissioners expressed support for reusing the under‑utilized office site and praised connectivity goals but raised concerns about the plan's proposed primary vehicular access path that routes through the Windward Plaza shopping center parking/driving area. Staff and the applicant said the design team will further refine circulation and coordinate with the shopping center and Milton's planned Deerfield park and trail network.

After deliberation the commission moved to approve the request with staff's 28 conditions; the item will be considered by City Council on March 23.