Winter Garden gives preliminary approval to urban farm ordinance

First Reading: Urban Farms

Winter Garden commissioners approved the first reading of a proposed ordinance that addresses the permitted locations of urban farms. The ordinance proposes to allow urban farms as special exception uses in certain zoning districts, which include arterial commercial districts, light industrial and warehousing districts and general industrial districts. An urban farm is defined as "an establishment where food or ornamental crops are grown or processed to be sold or donated that includes, but is not limited to, outdoor growing operations, indoor growing operations, vertical farms, aquaponics, aquaculture, hydroponics and rooftop farms." The second reading of this ordinance is anticipated for August 24.

First Reading: Rezoning of lot for Shepherd's Hope project

Commissioners also passed the first reading of a proposed ordinance requesting the rezoning of 9.45 acres of land from a designation of No Zoning (NZ) to Planned Commercial Development (PCD). The rezoning permits the city to split the northwest corner portion, which amounts to 2.016 acres, and lease that land to Shepherd’s Hope. The land, which is located on the northeast corner of 9th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, currently contains a community garden, an access point for the industrial property to the north and a large expanse of asphalt paving. Shepherd’s Hope is a nonprofit organization that intends to develop a 10,295 square foot medical office building that will house numerous community-oriented services. The organization is currently going through the site plan approval process. The remainder of the property will remain under the city ownership. The second reading of this ordinance is anticipated for August 24.

IN OTHER NEWS

• The commission approved a special event request made by the Crooked Can Brewery for Oktober Fest, which will take place October 20, 21 and 22. 
• City leaders also approved the West Orange High School's annual homecoming parade that will take place downtown on September 21 from 7:30 to 8 p.m. 
• To help with the shortage of soccer fields in the city, the city commission authorized the city manager to look into a possible negotiation with the Church of Christ for additional soccer fields on County Road 535.

Any residents with questions or concerns may contact Winter Garden City Hall at (407) 656-4111.

–––

Contact Gabby Baquero at [email protected]