WINTER GARDEN, Fla. – A proposed development in Winter Garden is moving closer to approval, but not without opposition from neighbors concerned about increased traffic and changes to the character of their community.
The more than 300-acre project planned near Williams Road and Marsh Road would include more than 600 homes, retail space, an event venue and a 40-room bed-and-breakfast.
The Winter Garden City Commission approved the proposal on first reading after making changes in response to community concerns. Among those changes was removing a proposed school from the plans and replacing it with a park.
City leaders are also discussing several road improvements aimed at easing congestion, including a traffic signal, a roundabout, additional road connections and a turn lane leading from the development toward a nearby neighborhood.
Still, some residents say the planned improvements will not be enough.
“Take a look at what you’re building, and once you build, you can’t go back,” resident Adam Garcia. “That development is going to cut through our neighborhood for some to get out, and it’s going to cause more traffic,” he said.
Garcia, whose backyard would face the development, said he worries the project will overwhelm nearby roads.
“This is just a residential area, and I think the traffic will be overwhelming,” Garcia said.
He also questioned the scope of the proposed bed-and-breakfast.
“This is not a bed and breakfast,” Garcia said. “A bed and breakfast is a grandma house, but this is a hotel.”
Not all residents are completely opposed to the project. Some neighbors living across from the proposed site said they remain open to the development if road improvements are made.
“I am very open to it. My only concern is the traffic situation,” one resident said.
The resident added that the proposed upgrades could help ease congestion.
“Hopefully that helps,” the resident said. “I have concerns about that, but it sounds like it will be a beautiful community, so I’m going to stay positive.”
The city commission is expected to hold a second reading and final vote on the proposal Thursday night. Residents opposed to the project say they plan to attend the meeting and voice their concerns.