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Commissioners approve rezone for specialty auto dealership near SR‑426 after applicant assurances
Summary
The board unanimously approved a rezone to allow a specialty automobile dealership on about 1.65 acres at Camp Road and State Road 426 after staff recommendation and applicant assurances that vehicles would not be stored outdoors; one nearby resident testified in opposition citing traffic and character concerns.
Seminole County commissioners voted unanimously to approve a rezone from C‑1 (retail commercial) to C‑2 (general commercial) for roughly 1.65 acres at the northwest corner of Camp Road and State Road 426 to permit a specialty automobile dealership.
Senior planner Caitlin Apgar told the board the site has an industrial future land use and currently operates at a low floor area ratio; staff found the proposed C‑2 zoning consistent with the county land development code and compatible with light industrial and commercial uses in the area. The planning and zoning board had earlier recommended the rezone unanimously.
Applicant representative MacGregor Lovett of the Lowndes Law Firm said the developer will renovate the existing 11,254‑square‑foot building rather than expand the footprint and that there is no intention to store vehicles outdoors. Lovett also said a significant tree buffer along State Road 426 limits public visibility from the right of way, and that the site is already served by county utilities. “We concur with staff’s recommendation. We ask for approval,” he said.
One resident, Marcus Treismill, spoke against the application, saying the neighborhood is mostly residential and that a car dealership could increase traffic and set a precedent for further commercial conversion. “It’s gonna bring potentially more traffic, which is already congested,” he said.
Commissioners questioned whether vehicles would be displayed outdoors and about traffic impacts. The applicant repeated that the intent is a specialty, high‑end indoor dealership and that employees’ and customers’ cars would park on site. Staff noted buffer, open‑space and site‑plan details would be determined at final plan review.
The board adopted the ordinance enacting the rezone by unanimous vote. The approval moves the property to C‑2 zoning; final site‑plan conditions, buffering and any required easements will be handled through the county’s site plan and permitting process.
Next steps: Applicant proceeds to site plan review and any required utility easement and final buffering will be set at that time.
