Winter Garden approves new phase of Oakland Park

The stage is set for one of the last phases of the Oakland Park development within Winter Garden.

City commissioners voted during their meeting Thursday, Nov. 14, to approve the final plat for 104 single-family residential lots for Phase 5 of the development.

Community Development Director Steve Pash said that’s far less than what could have been built on the property. In 2012, Oakland Park was amended to allow for a total of 610 dwelling units in Winter Garden, including 91 townhomes plus additional single-family homes for the subject property where Phase 5 would take place.

Pash said the 104 lots requested by the applicant brings the total of platted lots to 499 in Winter Garden instead of the 610 lots allowed.

One more piece of land is left to be developed that could yield about 20 lots, Pash said.

“Overall when it’s completed, there will be significantly less density than was originally approved for,” City Manager Mike Bollhoefer said.

JOHN REES GETS ANOTHER TERM

The Winter Garden City Commission declared the qualifying results for the 2020 general election, with Mayor John Rees being unopposed and District 1 City Commissioner Lisa Bennett being challenged by candidate Joseph Richardson.

Rees said he was pleased to have another term to serve the residents of Winter Garden.

“I grew up in this city, I love this city and just want to be a part of it,” Rees said. “I want to continue the process and be involved in it. We’ve got a great staff and a great commission — I’m blessed.”

The general election between Bennett and Richardson is set for March 17, 2020.

TERM LIMIT CHANGES TO APPEAR ON BALLOT

Winter Garden city commissioners voted on second reading to put several city charter changes on the ballot for voters in March 2020 — including a proposed change to the terms of elected officials.

If passed by the voters, the change would amend the terms of the mayor and city commissioners to four years instead of three.

That change would apply to any mayor or commissioner elected in 2023 and subsequent elections.

City Manager Mike Bollhoefer said the charter change was proposed to save money on elections and also to give elected officials more time to get acclimated to their role.

CITY APPROVES INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS

The intersection of East Fullers Cross Road and East Crown Point Road soon will be in for some improvements as Winter Garden city commissioners voted to award a contract to Atlantic Civil Constructors Corporation for several changes.

Improvements like a new traffic signal and turn lanes will help address longstanding issues at the intersection, Bollhoefer said.

“People have been wanting it for years. … It’s a very important intersection,” he said.

“For the people coming across Fullers Cross entering East Crown Point, they’ll have a traffic light now and they’ll have both a right lane and a left lane so they’ll be able to get on and off East Crown Point safely,” he said.

The City Commission approved a cost of $1,303,485.32, including a 10% contingency, making the total project amount $1,433,833.85.

Construction should start in the next 30 to 60 days, Pash said.