Downtown hotel introduced to Winter Garden commission

Plans for a downtown boutique hotel grew a little bit closer to being a reality last night as city staff introduced several development projects at the Winter Garden City Commission.

City commissioners approved for a second read several city ordinances last night: 

-Winter Garden Hotel

One ordinance that passed its first reading will allow for the city-owned property at 8 North Highland Ave. to be sold for the construction of a three-story, 60-room boutique hotel. City staff have recommended the funds from the sale be used for parking revitalization downtown. The ordinance would rezone the land from residential to commercial. 

City Manager Mike Bollhoefer and several Winter Garden residents and business-owners voiced their support for the project.

-Packing plant revitalization

Two more changes before the commission would allow the revitalization of the historic citrus packing plant located on Old Tildenville Schoolhouse Road. The project would renovate and repurpose the existing structures for neighborhood-oriented services and businesses. 

-Tucker Oaks Commercial 

A third project would rezone the property at 15500 West Colonial Drive to as part of the development of various medical office buildings, one warehouse and three commercial buildings, one of which is allowed to be a drive-through. 

Second readings and public hearings on all three ordinances are scheduled for the June 27 city commission meeting. 

Commissioners also approved a requirement for additional regulations of golf course maintenance and a request for a system to make lot and plat adjustments under common ownership simpler.