WINTER GARDEN, Fla. – Residents in Winter Garden are voicing concerns ahead of a city commission vote Thursday night on a proposed development that would bring hundreds of homes and commercial space to the area near Williams Road and Marsh Road.
The more than 300-acre proposal includes plans for more than 600 homes, a bed-and-breakfast, retail space and an event venue.
As city leaders prepare to debate the project, nearby residents said anxiety and frustration are growing over what the development could mean for traffic and infrastructure in the community.
“A high level,” one resident said when asked about anxiety surrounding the proposal.
Another resident said many people in the area oppose the project and want their concerns heard before commissioners vote.
“I definitely know the talk in this town, in this community I am living in — people are not happy about it,” the resident said.
Traffic has become one of the biggest concerns among neighbors who live near the proposed site.
“I’m concerned about the traffic,” one resident said.
Another neighbor warned that travel times in the area could significantly increase if the project moves forward.
“No matter where you go, you’re going to add 25 to 40 minutes to your drive,” the resident said.
Others argued the current infrastructure is already struggling to handle existing traffic levels.
“I know me and most people in the neighborhood feel like it’s going to bring a lot of unused and not good infrastructure with the traffic adding on the homes,” another resident said.
City leaders and developers have discussed possible traffic improvements tied to the proposal, including a roundabout, a potential traffic light and additional road connections.
But some residents said those plans are not enough to ease their concerns.
“We have three roundabouts on Marsh Road now up to Avalon and it doesn’t improve things,” one resident said.
“These roundabouts here have already been hit,” another added.
Many residents said they hope commissioners reconsider the proposal before making a final decision.
“I would tell them to reconsider. It’s just not feasible,” one resident said.
The Winter Garden City Commission is expected to hear the second hearing and decide if they will adopt the proposal Thursday night.