Developer tweaks Oakland Park details

Most residents seemed pleased when they left last week's Oakland Town Commission meeting, satisfied that their concerns had been heard and that Oakland Park developers will take them into consideration as they move forward with final plans for the proposed 800-home community that straddles both Oakland and Winter Garden.

Many in attendance are residents of Winters Landing and Southern Oaks neighborhoods that border Oakland Park.

Both communities submitted petitions to the town following the Aug. 9 Oakland Town Commission meeting listing concerns about issues the next phase of Oakland Park would create. Residents attended the Aug. 23 meeting to hear what changes the developer made in its concept plan.

Thom Cunningham addressed the elected officials and the standing-room-only crowd, sharing changes that were made after representatives from Crescent Communities, the owner of Oakland Park, met with concerned residents.

Changes include the addition of a linear park with mature foliage along Starr Street, a new entrance/exit with mature trees at Vandermeer Avenue and larger lot sizes with bigger setbacks and a privacy fence for properties that back up to homes along Macchi Avenue. These properties also cannot build second-floor suites along the lot line.

Seventeen residents spoke, asking for changes such as additional stop signs, another traffic study and more greenery buffers. Some want Oakland Park to connect to streets other than theirs, and others ask that the new community not connect to their subdivision at all.

“We are intent on protecting the identity of the town,” Mayor Kathy Stark assured residents.

The commission said more discussion is needed and voted to continue it to an unspecified date.

Contact Amy Quesinberry Rhode at [email protected].