Rezoning of Maitland lakefront rankles neighbors

Thoughts of overwhelming big-box stores, obstructed views and out-of-control traffic filled the heads of nearly 100 West Maitland residents as they filed in to Monday’s standing-room-only City Council meeting.

Their pitches to try to protect their neighborhood from possible developer plans that could put commercial property in between their lake-front neighborhoods would ultimately fail, but not without a fight.

After four hours of back-and-forth between Maitland Concourse North developers, the City Council and residents, the Council would vote unanimously to approve a land development change to its comprehensive development plan on first reading to allow mixed-use commercial, residential and office space in the West Maitland area. Owned by Battaglia Group, the land in question lies between lakes Charity, Hope and Faith east of Interstate 4 and west of Maitland Avenue.

As of the current fiscal year, the property brings in $367 in revenue to the city, but at build-out could be estimated to draw $91,000 annually.

“What we are looking for today is an amendment that gives us the flexibility to plan and design an economically viable and sustainable project in this current business climate,” Bill Battaglia, president of Battaglia Group, said.

A second required public hearing of the ordinance change for the Maitland Concourse North development plan is tentatively scheduled for March 25. For more information, visit itsmymaitland.com

The property, owned by the Battaglias since 1956, and its development has been a contentious issue for decades, a lawsuit in the 1991 having once deemed it incompatible for commercial use by then Florida Gov. Lawton Childes. Back up for debate 22 years later, some of the same residents are back fighting the battle versus Battaglia.

“This is not new, but here we are going through pretty much the same thing,” said Bob Rawa, a resident of the area since 1958.

He and other residents say commercial development doesn’t belong in a primarily residential area, flanked by the Savannah Court assisted living facility and Lake Faith Villas, with neighborhoods Maitland Club and Druid Isles nearby. The view of the proposed up to four-story mixed-use structure, they say, would increase noise and light pollution, and further decrease property values.

Council members said by starting the process to change the comprehensive plan, it’s not signing an agreement for the businesses to come in, but opening the door to the process. And, City Manager Cliff Shepard said, one that opens the door for high levels of public input the whole way through.

“This is a process, not an approval,” Mayor Howard Schieferdecker said. “… We are not approving anything – we’re just moving it on down the road. And everyone of you will be a part of this from this time forward.”