Vote on sale of city land for high-end apartments returns to W.G. commission tonight

Three things to watch for at tonight’s city commission meeting: 

The sale of city land in downtown Winter Garden to develop high-end apartments 

The postponed vote on high-end apartments in downtown Winter Garden will take place at tonight’s commission meeting. 

Pending commission approval, Tremaine Boyd LLC could develop 109 S. Boyd St. into a mixed-use development with commercial space and high-end apartments.

Tonight, commissioners vote on the city’s sale of the land at 109 S. Boyd St. to Tremaine Boyd LLC. Because city staff believes apartments are vital for the downtown area and wants to make the project feasible for Tremaine Boyd LLC, staff recommends selling the land to Tremaine Boyd LLC for $152,000, waiving $174,177 in transportation impact fees and $235,484 in other fees.

The vote was postponed until tonight to give commissioners more time to consider the project and the waived fees. Last meeting, some commissioners expressed concern over the waived fees. 

A proposal submitted by Tremaine Boyd LLC outlines plans for a three-story building, with the first floor used for commercial uses and the second and third floors becoming 22 apartment units — six studio apartments, 12 one-bedroom apartments and four two-bedroom apartments. Rent would begin at about $1,000 for studio apartments.  

Security bar prohibition

Commissioners will vote on the first reading of an ordinance that will establish a prohibition of security bars on windows or doors in the city of Winter Garden. 

Medical marijuana moratorium

Commissioners will vote on the first reading of regarding a moratorium on medical marijuana activities in the city of Winter Garden, excluding activities that have prior approval for the city or where City regulation is preempted by Florida law. 

In November, Florida voters will see the “Florida Right to Medical Marijuana Initiative” on their  ballots. If voted in, Department of Health will regulate centers that produce medical marijuana. 

The passage of the initiative and previous legislation raises “substantial questions regarding the impact of Medical Cannabis Activities…upon the public health, safety, and welfare within the City of Winter Garden,” according to the ordinance. Therefore, Winter Garden plans a moratorium on medical marijuana activities while city staff researches potential impacts of medical marijuana.