Winter Garden commissioners consider proposed hotels, gas station

If all goes to plan, Winter Garden could be getting a new gas station, two hotels and other commercial development on West Colonial Drive.

Winter Garden commissioners approved the first reading of an ordinance during their Jan. 9 meeting that would rezone 8.25 acres of property at 12301 W. Colonial Drive. The parcel is located on the northeast corner of West Colonial Drive and Carter Road.

The ordinance would rezone the property from the existing Planned Commercial Development (PCD) designation to a new PCD described as the Peoples Plaza PCD.

According to city documents, site plans include two hotels, a gas station and other commercial development. Documents show that this would include a 7-Eleven and a Hampton Inn. 

The parcel would be split into four lots, with the two hotels on the north side of the site and the gas station at the corner of West Colonial and Carter. The southeast portion of the site is yet to be determined but could include one drive-thru restaurant and a second commercial building for retail, a sit-down restaurant, professional or medical offices, or another commercial use. 

The ordinance’s second reading and public hearing is scheduled for the Jan. 23 commission meeting, which takes place at 6:30 p.m. at Winter Garden City Hall. 

Check back for an in-depth story of the Jan. 9 commission meeting online and in print on Thursday, Jan. 16.