ORLANDO, Fla. – Residents who live on an Orlando lake are worried about a proposed waterfront restaurant that would be built just feet from a condominium.
Joe Fontana moved into his condo on the shores of Lake Fairview almost three years ago because he enjoyed the scenery and quiet nights.
"It was that peace and quiet that meant so much to us and it was the reason we chose to live here," said Fontana.
Those quiet nights, he fears, could soon go away.
According to plans submitted to the city of Orlando, Grills restaurant wants to open a tiki-style bar on some vacant land near Orange Blossom Trail that would face the lake.
Fontana has a number of concerns, especially the noise.
"When you have a large concrete and glass building it becomes a sound barrier," said Fontana.
Officials with the restaurant say they will have live music occasionally and would be open daily from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Representatives with Grills say they plan on putting up buffers, like landscaping, between the restaurant and the condos to minimize the noise, also adding it would be family-friendly.
But residents aren't quite sold.
"Bottom line, they don't noise. Bottom line, they don't want exhaust. Bottom line, they don't want an interruption to the serenity that is Lake Fairview," said Fontana.
Orlando's municipal-planning board is scheduled to hear about the project and issue a recommendation in September.