Development expected to bring new businesses to Winter Garden

Winter Garden City Commissioners approved a new site plan at a meeting Aug. 8 that is expected to bring more businesses to the Tucker Oaks area of West Colonial Drive.

The new development site is a 9.94-acre parcel that is located at 15500 W. Colonial Drive where the road intersects with Tucker Oaks Boulevard. Plans include 12 buildings altogether: one warehouse, three commercial buildings and eight buildings planned for medical offices. 

According to the city’s community development director Steve Pash, the warehouse on the west end of the property will be a two-story, 27,000-square-foot office building and 6,500-square-foot warehouse for Schmid Construction. The warehouse will provide storage for the company’s various construction materials.

Upon completion of the building, the company will move its headquarters from Clermont, Pash said.

Commissioner Bob Buchanan said at the meeting he believes the development will generate a lot of new growth in the area, which is close to Highway 50.

“I’ve looked it over, and staff has really put together a good-looking set of plans,” Buchanan said. “I know they’re not final, but the site plan and the development looks really nice, and I think that’s a good starter for Winter Garden.”

“It’ll give us something besides fast food and car lots,” Buchanan added.

Three 5,500-square-foot commercial buildings are scheduled for phase one of the plan. They will line the West Colonial Drive side of the property and, according to Pash, will most likely be restaurants. One is planned to be constructed with drive-thru features. 

Phase two of the plan contains three 5,000-square-foot medical offices between two larger buildings, one of which is expected to become a surgery center. 

The property is next door to a few residential neighborhoods and was rezoned from residential to commercial at the June 27 commission meeting. Pash said while it is a residential area, the medical offices would act as a buffer between the homes and the commercial buildings along West Colonial Drive. 

Funds for veterans appreciation

The Winter Garden City Commission approved funds to be given to Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church for the 13th annual Appreciation for Veterans and Families of Veterans. 

Coordinator Charlie Mae Wilder requested from the commission $500 — or “one thousand if possible.”

The event supports local veterans and their families. The group organizes a program for the veterans and their families and cooks them a meal.

Commissioners approved a donation of $500, an amount that is $200 more than last year. 

Wilder said the church continues with the event every year because the veterans deserve it — the church wants to show them the community’s appreciation.