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Commission approves aesthetic review for 85-unit Blake Commons townhomes; residents raise height and rental concerns
Summary
The Winter Springs commission approved the aesthetic review for Lot 4 Townhomes at Blake Commons (AERV-2025-0010). Residents and commissioners questioned three‑story buildings facing adjacent two‑story neighborhoods and discussed protections to encourage homeownership rather than large-scale rentals.
The Winter Springs City Commission approved an aesthetic‑only review for Lot 4 at Blake Commons, clearing exterior elevations and materials for a proposed 85‑unit townhome project while noting that final site-plan issues will be vetted later.
Janeli Garnett, project manager and senior planner, told the commission the application (AERV‑2025‑0010) covers appearance only and that the applicant has not yet submitted a site plan showing building locations. "This is just for the aesthetic," Garnett said, stressing that questions about setbacks, unit counts and circulation will be addressed during site‑plan review and a future community meeting.
Residents and commissioners raised concerns at the public hearing about three‑story buildings proposed near two‑story, single‑family Winter Springs Village homes. "They plan to build the three‑story ones to the front, not to the back," resident Gina Schaefer said, adding that the fronting buildings could create a tunnel‑like effect. Commissioners pressed staff to ensure earlier commitments (used on a nearby Seminole Crossings project) — including protections to encourage owner‑occupancy and restrictions to limit hedge‑fund style bulk purchases — are carried forward to later approvals.
Commissioners discussed limiting future conversions to rentals and preserving opportunities for local homeownership; staff said the same developer (the Seminole Crossings developer) acknowledged similar agreements in pre-application meetings. The commission voted to approve the aesthetic review (voice vote recorded; one commissioner dissenting), noting that a later site‑plan application will invite additional public comment and further review of unit placement, access and potential restrictions.
Because this approval was for exterior design only, commissioners and residents were advised that the community will have future chances to comment on precise building placement, landscaping and any proposed homeowner‑association restrictions when the site plan is submitted.
