Commission approves ordinances for east Winter Garden

The Winter Garden City Commission unanimously approved the second reading of an ordinance adding two new future land-use categories to the comprehensive plan as well as two ordinances applying those categories to two areas of the Historic East Winter Garden Neighborhood.

Planning Director Kelly Carson said the ordinances are a result of the city working closely with residents of the Historic East Winter Garden Neighborhood to bring the community’s vision to life. 

These efforts initially began in 2018, when the East Winter Garden Plan was adopted, and then updated in 2022. 

“This serves as a road map for development,” Carson said. “One of its five big ideas is to increase homeownership and housing options while preserving the neighborhood’s character. The current future land use and zoning regulations limit the city’s ability to fully support this goal to increase affordable housing options for existing residents. More flexibility is needed.”

The ordinances were unanimously approved during a second reading at the Winter Garden City Commission meeting Thursday, May 22. 

The comprehensive plan amendment added two policies regarding new future land designations that establish a Neighborhood Residential designation and a Neighborhood Mixed-Use designation.

The commission’s approval of the amendment allowed the commission to unanimously approve ordinances applying those new future land designations to two properties. 

One ordinance changes about 100.5 acres located south of East Plant Street, east of 11th Street, west of State Road 429 and north of East Maple Street from Low Density Residential and Residential Neighborhood Commercial to Neighborhood Residential. 

According to the policy on Neighborhood Residential, “properties designated with Neighborhood Residential land-use category are required to be developed at a gross residential density between two (and) six dwelling units per gross acre and up to 10 dwelling units per gross acre if awarded a development bonus for creating affordable/workforce housing and/or neighborhood-oriented architecture and site design.”

“Allowing accessory dwelling units can provide housing for family members or generate rental income,” Carson said. “These units help homeowners adapt to changing needs, build wealth and introduce more affordable housing options without altering the neighborhood’s character.”

The second ordinance changes about 22.8 acres south of North Street, east of Ninth Street, west of 11th Street and north of East Maple Street from Residential Neighborhood Commercial and Institutional to Neighborhood Mixed-Use. 

According to the proposed policy regarding Neighborhood Mixed-Use, properties with this designation are “required to be developed at a floor area ratio not greater than .75 and up to a floor area ratio of three by development bonus. Gross residential density shall not be greater than 10 dwelling units per acre and up to 20 dwelling units per acre by development bonuses. Development bonuses may be awarded for creating affordable/workforce housing, locally owned commercial spaces and/or neighborhood-oriented architecture and site design.” 

Carson said the policy supports walkable mixed-use development and affordable housing. 

“To clarify, the three ordinances being discussed tonight do not change any land development regulations,” Carson said. “They only amend the city’s comp plan to allow for a future zoning overlay, which is still under review and development and will be brought forward to this board at a later time. The zoning overlay will include safeguards to help existing east Winter Garden residents build wealth and access to affordable housing options while preserving the character of the community and limiting gentrification driven by outside developers.”