New Animal Control ordinance approved in Winter Garden

The Winter Garden City Commission unanimously approved the second reading of an ordinance that repealed and replaced the city’s existing Animal Control provisions and adopted the Orange County Animal Services ordinance. 

Marc Hutchinson, the city’s economic development director, said the ordinance is “in the interest of public safety and to reinforce the regulatory language and ensuring ongoing alignment with Orange County’s Animal Control Services ordinance.”

The ordinance will addresses the overall public safety and health to more effectively regulate control of dogs, cats and other domesticated animals regarding the use of leashes, direct and competent owner control of pets in public spaces, certain restrictions for animals in parks and recreational facilities, and refining requirements related to the dog-friendly dining program.

The ordinance includes a leash and control requirement that states “no owner or person in custody of a dog, cat or domesticated animal shall permit the animal to be in a public park, right of way, sidewalk or other public space unless it is on a leash, no longer than 8 feet, and under the direct control of a competent person at all times.”

Proposal to vacate drainage, utility easements

The City Commission unanimously approved the first reading of an ordinance to vacate certain drainage and utility easements existing over .68 acres of undeveloped property located at 841 Tilden Oaks Trail and 15411 E. Oakland Ave.

The applicant is requesting to vacate certain drainage and utility easements that were recorded with the final plat of the Oakland Park Unit 5 subdivision in order to combine the lots and build a 8,732-square-foot mixed-use building as part of the McKinnon Square Planned Community Development. 

The commission approved the rezoning of McKinnon Square at the March 26 commission meeting, but the lot combination and a final Certificate of Occupancy is contingent on the successful vacation of the easements. 

The second reading of the ordinance will take place at the commission meeting Thursday, May 14. 

Shop, Dine and Stroll approved

Shop, Dine and Stroll in downtown Winter Garden was unanimously approved for Saturday, May 2. 

Hutchinson said the event will attract and offer shoppers opportunity to experience downtown retailers and restaurants with an “exciting twist” as shoppers can win gifts and cash prizes through multiple raffle opportunities.

Besides in-store prizes, shoppers also will have the opportunity to win cash with jackpot prizes between $100 and $500. 

There also will be live music entertainment.

The event will not require any road closures.