College Park residents resist development

A planned development for a 226-unit apartment complex in College Park was met with overwhelming opposition during the Orlando City Council’s Sept. 15 meeting as an Atlanta-based developer sought approval for zoning and density changes.

The potential multi-story development, called Princeton at College Park, would sit on a strip of land formed by Princeton and Smith streets and include an outdoor plaza and a small public park

But the project raised concerns among locals about increased traffic, pedestrian safety and preserving the area’s character. More than 40 residents spoke up about the project – mostly in opposition – before a 2015 budget hearing scheduled for 5 p.m. forced the council to stop hearing public comments.

“We have an oasis of relative, relative urban peace here in College Park,” College Park resident Steve Isham said. “Why would you sacrifice that? Why would you trade this precious sanctuary for more asphalt, concrete, overcrowding and traffic jams? I and many others do not want the rampant growth that plagues other areas through Orlando.”

Isham added that the new development would bring hundreds of cars to one of College Park’s most crowded areas. A church, an elementary school, a supermarket and a daycare center all sit nearby.

The outcry from residents during the Orlando City Council meeting may have been just a glimpse of the area’s disapproval of the development. College Park resident Dawn Rich said that she and other residents have gathered nearly 700 signatures opposing the project.

“We are not anti-growth,” Rich said. “We believe that healthy growth is good for the community and it helps the businesses. Our concern is this is a very large building with some aspects that we do not believe are well thought through.”

But some residents spoke in favor of the project, believing the development makes the area more walkable.

“I lived in Los Angeles for a number of years,” College Park resident Brian Spain said. “If anybody follows what’s happening in Los Angeles, they are desperately trying to increase density…people can’t get around in cars. I know it’s counterintuitive to a lot of the people who are here today, but this is the right place for dense development.”

“When you have density right where people want to be, they pull in, they park and they’re there. You don’t drive your car a block to go to Publix, you walk there.”