Winter Park commissioners unanimously approved plans Wednesday, May 27, for the Fairbanks Crossing redevelopment project at 860 W. Fairbanks Ave., advancing a proposal that city officials and the developer repeatedly characterized as a lower-intensity alternative to what could otherwise be built on the site.
The City Commission approved Conditional Use request #26-02 for four one-story buildings totaling nearly 30,000 square feet on the former Orlando RV property at the corner of Fairbanks Avenue and South Denning Drive. The approval also included alcohol sales within 300 feet of residential properties and a related Community Benefit Agreement.
The vote follows a recommendation earlier this spring from the Winter Park Planning & Zoning Board, which delayed the proposal for a month amid concerns about traffic and parking near Fairbanks, Denning and Kentucky Avenue.
During Wednesday’s meeting, city planning staff emphasized that the proposal is significantly smaller than what current zoning would allow.
“With the proposal what you see before you today is a 19% floor-area ratio on one story with a 35 to 43 ft front setback and 199 parking spaces,” Winter Park Planning Director Allison McGillis told commissioners, noting the project also exceeds parking requirements and includes larger setbacks than required under zoning rules.
McGillis said the project leaves more than 51,000 square feet of unused development potential on the property.
The city also highlighted a right-of-way donation tied to the project that could help facilitate future turn-lane improvements at Fairbanks and Denning.
The city also highlighted a right-of-way donation tied to the project that could help facilitate future turn-lane improvements at Fairbanks and Denning.
Commissioners said the donated land could help the city work with the Florida Department of Transportation on long-discussed traffic improvements to ease congestion in the area.
Bob Ziegenfuss, founder and president of Orlando-based Z Development Services, told commissioners the project resulted from extensive collaboration with city staff and nearby residents.
“The collaboration between the developer and the city, the property owner in the city, and the whole team here has been great,” Ziegenfuss said. “We did have some community meetings for some of the residents in the area.”
No members of the public spoke in opposition during the hearing.
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