Rep. Geraldine Thompson delivers legislative update at commission meeting

Florida Rep. Geraldine Thompson was present to deliver a legislative update to commissioners at the Winter Garden City Commission meeting Thursday, July 11, at  City Hall, 300 W. Plant St.

Thompson represents district 44 in the Florida House of Representatives, serving as the democratic ranking member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and as a member of the Civil Justice Committee, Joint Committee on Public Counsel Oversight and PreK-12 Quality Subcommittee. 

Highlights from Thompson's presentation included:

-An amendment to House Bill 385, which will designate a segment of State Road 535 as Robert L. ‘Bob’ Billingslea Highway, a former Disney executive and Windermere resident. 

-An 800% increase fin funding for the arts. The state budgeted $21,400,000 for the arts during the recent session.

-Thompson's involvement in legislation addressing wireless communication while driving, discrimination regarding employment and housing and health benefits for firefighters with cancer. 

Site plan approvals

A site plan, which was approved unanimously, for a seven-story, 300,000-square-foot medical bed tower at 2000 Fowler Grove Blvd. was approved at the meeting. The plan is for the last phase of AdventHealth Winter Garden. Previous phases included an emergency department and medical offices. 

Commissioners also approved a site plan for the construction of a new Goodwill retail location. The new building to be located at 14190 W. Colonial Drive will be a 25,000-square-foot building and include parking and a covered drive-up drop-off area.

Tabled Ordinances

Commissioners tabled multiple ordinances related to a senior living complex at 12920 and 12921 Reaves Road on Thursday. 

The ordinances are for the rezoning and annexation of the land on Reaves Road to allow the development of the Stoneybrook Senior Living project. Plans included a three-story independent living building, a two-story assisted living building and ten detached two-car garage buildings, recreation areas and stormwater infrastructure. 

According to City Manager Mike Bollhoefer, the ordinances were tabled, due to push back at the Planning and Zoning Board meeting, which also voted to table to project. 

The ordinances were tabled until an unknown date. 

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