HomeMy WebLinkAbout00-2025 08 07 Planning and ZoningLPA Regular Meeting Minutes
PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD/
LOCAL PLANNING AGENCY
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
AUGUST 7, 2025
CITY HALL – COMMISSION CHAMBERS
CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA
CALL TO ORDER
Assistant City Clerk Tristin Tarrant called the Thursday, August 7, 2025, Planning and Zoning
Board/Local Planning Agency Regular Meeting to Order at posted 5:48 p.m., in the
Commission Chambers of the Municipal Building (City Hall, 1126 East State Road 434, Winter
Springs, Florida 32708.)
Roll Call:
Chairperson Kok Wan Mah, present via phone
Vice-Chairperson Michael Ferrante, absent
Board Member Louie Hilal, present
Board Member Rachel Hood, present
Board Member David Mahnken, present
Assistant City Attorney Kristin Eick, present
Assistant City Clerk Tristin Tarrant, present
Also present:
Ms. Terrilyn Rolle, Director, Community Development Department
Mr. John Rabon, Senior Planner, Community Development Department
Ms. Jenale Garnett, Senior Planner, Community Development Department
Mr. Lei Xu, Professional Engineer, Community Development Department
A moment of silence was held, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
A Pro Tem Chairperson Election was held to establish a chairperson for the meeting.
ASSISTANT CITY CLERK TARRANT OPENED THE FLOOR FOR NOMINATIONS FOR PRO TEM
CHAIRPERSON. BOARD MEMBER MAHNKEN NOMINATED BOARD MEMBER HOOD. THE
NOMINATION WAS ACCEPETED. NO OBJECTION TO THE NOMINATION WAS GIVEN. NO
OTHER NOMINATIONS WERE GIVEN.
MOTION PASSED WITH UNANIMOUS CONSENT.
BOARD MEMEBR RACHEL HOOD WAS ELECTED TO BE THE PRO TEM CHAIRPERSON .
AWARDS AND PRESENTATIONS
100. Not Used
INFORMATIONAL AGENDA
200. Not Used
CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA
MINUTES
PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD/LOCAL PLANNING AGENCY
REGULAR MEETING – AUGUST 7, 2025
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PUBLIC INPUT
Pro Tem Chairperson Hood opened Public Input.
Mrs. Gina Shafer, Winter Springs Village, Winter Springs addressed the Board with a request
to require developers to put up protective fencing when clearing land and expressed concern
for run-off and flooding in relation to the proposed daycare on the agenda.
Pro Tem Chairperson Hood closed Public Input.
CONSENT AGENDA
300) Approval of the Thursday, June 5, 2025 Planning and Zoning Board/Local Planning
Agency Regular Meeting Minutes.
"I MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE THURSDAY, JUNE 5TH MEETING MINUTES.” MOTION
BY BOARD MEMBER HILAL. SECONDED BY BOARD MEMBER MAHNKEN. DISCUSSION.
VOTE: MAH (AYE); HOOD (AYE); MAHNKEN (AYE); HILAL (AYE)
MOTION CARRIED 4-0.
PUBLIC HEARINGS AGENDA
400) The Learning Experience, SR 434/419 and Michael Blake Boulevard – Conditional
Use Application, Site Plan/Final Engineering, Aesthetic Review, Waivers, and
Development Agreement
Mr. Rabon opened the item, gave background and reviewed the requested waivers. Staff’s
recommendation was approval with four (4) proposed conditions. An overview of the site plan,
landscaping and elevations was given. Discussion on spacing for deliveries and Emergency
vehicles, environmental report, operation hours and lighting within the parking lot ensued.
Additional questions were asked from the Board about the age range and after school
activities.
Mr. Jason Mahoney, Vice President, NV5, 6200 Lee Vista Blvd Suite 400, Orlando responded
for the applicant in relation to the environment report and lighting questions from the Board.
It was relayed that the project in question is included on the Sea Hawk Cove parcel and
applicable environment reports were submitted. Staff relayed those documents will be
included in the packet for City Commission.
Additional questions were asked from the Board about the process of changing the proposed
daycare to a school, if desired by the applicant, in the future. Staff responded that schools are
a separate use and an additional conditional use permit would be needed. Mr. Mahoney
relayed the applicant had no intention of converting the daycare into a school in the future.
Brief questions regarding transportation such as a shuttle bus to the property were asked and
Mr. Mahoney replied there is none planned at this time, but it would only be a van if there was
any.
Pro Tem Chairperson Hood opened the Public Hearing for Item 400.
CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA
MINUTES
PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD/LOCAL PLANNING AGENCY
REGULAR MEETING – AUGUST 7, 2025
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Mrs. Gina Shafer, Winter Springs Village, Winter Springs expressed concerns regarding traffic
on Michael Blake and State Road 434 if the daycare was converted into a school.
Mr. Mahoney responded to the concerns expressed and relayed that all traffic and flow
conditions meet the requirements for the proposed daycare.
Pro Tem Chairperson Hood closed the Public Hearing for Item 400.
“I LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE LEARNING EXPERIENCE ON STATE ROAD
434 AND MICHAEL BLAKE BOULEVARD CONDITIONAL USE APPLICATION, SITE PLAN,
FINAL ENGINEERING, AESTHETIC REVIEW, WAIVERS, DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT AND
CONDITIONS RECOMMENDED BY STAFF.” MOTION BY BOARD MEMBER HILAL. SECONDED
BY BOARD MEMBER MAHNKEN. DISCUSSION.
VOTE: MAH (AYE); HOOD (AYE); MAHNKEN (AYE); HILAL (AYE)
MOTION CARRIED 4-0.
401) Wawa at Winter Springs Marketplace, SR 434 and Tuskawilla Road – Conditional
Use Application, Site Plan/Final Engineering, Aesthetic Review, Waivers, and
Development Agreement.
Ms. Rolle opened and introduced the city’s newest senior planner to the Board, Mrs. Jenale
Garnett. Mrs. Garnett presented the staff presentation that gave an overview of the project
with background information, a preview of the site plan, and elevation drawings. Staff’s
recommendation was denial of the Conditional Use Application, Site Plan /Final Engineering,
Aesthetic Review, and Development Agreement as it does not meet Goal 2: Town Center of
the Comprehensive Plan. In the event the Board wanted to approval the Site Plans, Staff
recommended a mixed denial and approval of the site plan and proposed waivers with
contingencies as relayed within the presentation. Staff additionally offered façade aesthetics
changes to better make the Town Center design.
Mr. Ryan Stahl, Equinox Development, 630 South Maitland Avenue, Suite 100, Maitland
responded by providing additional background and displaying the applicant provided overall
marketplace exhibit. Mr. Stahl relayed the reason behind the entrance and exit revision from
Roberts Family Lane as well as the additional parking spots beside the retention pond being
for associates. Mr. Cory Stitler, Kimely Horn, 200 S Orange Ave Suite 600, Orlando additionally
addresses the Board sharing some of the challenges engineering had for the project such as
with the parcel shape, amount of parking spaces, and site layout for potential customer
visibility.
Discussion transitioned to outdoor seating and the number of entrances into the convenience
store. Mr. Scott Kearney, P.E. Real Estate Engineer, Wawa, 1911 US Hwy 301 North Tampa
explained the reason for the lack of outdoor seating is due to some operational and safety
challenges other Wawa’s in the Central Florida area have experienced but they would be
willing to entertain having outdoor seating with this site due to its location. Additionally, Mr.
Kearney relaying that due to the footprint size this location is a front entrance only .
Pro Tem Chairperson Hood asked for clarification on a few points within the site plan displayed
and then discussion quickly transitioned to concerns about not having a traffic study approved
CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA
MINUTES
PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD/LOCAL PLANNING AGENCY
REGULAR MEETING – AUGUST 7, 2025
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by Chairperson Mah. It was recommended to the Board to table the item for a future meeting
until the study can be reviewed and approved by staff. Mr. Stitler responded to the concerns
raised regarding the traffic study by relaying the comments provided by the viewing
consultant have been addressed and the study has been resubmitted for staff. Mr. Stitler
further addressed the setbacks, communicating their intent was for the Wawa to align with
the neighborhood feel and have the gas canopy in line with the Fifth-Third bank.
Staff relayed their interpretation of the Ordinance that dictates this project as the convenience
store needing to be the primary focus of the site located at an arterial road intersection and
the gas portion would be secondary. City Attorney Eick verified the interpretation of the
ordinance stating it needs to be “a corner store or neighborhood convenience store with gas
pumps”. Mr. Lei Xu, the city’s Professional Engineer, addressed the traffic and utility study,
relaying some corrections still need to be made after his review that morning such as turning
calculations and intersection analyzation, etc. Mr. Xu recommended the traffic study, and
FDOT signal timing report should be approved first before the Board move forward.
Discussion ensued on alternate options then fully denying the item and the process for tabling
or continuing an item was shared with the Board by City Attorney Eick. Concerns regarding
walkability and not adhering to the family friendly nature of the Town Center were expressed
by Pro Tem Chairperson Hood and echoed from the other members. The board expressed
consensus to table the item till staff and the Board had all the information to make an
appropriate decision. Further discussion ensued on the appropriate timeline, the board’s
intention on recommending a continuance and suggested possible changes that could be
analyzed for site plan in relation to the building location atop the parcel.
Pro Tem Chairperson Hood opened the Public Hearing for Item 401.
Mrs. Gina Shafer, Winter Springs Village, Winter Springs relayed concerns she observed at the
community workshop on the traffic flow within the area as well wanting to make sure the
façade matched the town center aesthetic.
Mrs. Victoria Bruce, 129 Cherry Creek Circle, Winter Springs relayed confusion on why EV
stations were not being considered for this project and how the setbacks exceeding the
maximum distance from the road would be an issue.
Pro Tem Chairperson Hood closed the Public Hearing for Item 401.
Mr. Stahl responded to the public comment relating to the EV stations that they were not
asked to consider adding them, but Equinox would be more than willing to have them added.
Mr. Stahl relayed that his team has already had some conversations on appropriate locations
within the parking lot.
Discussion continued on the various options the Board had regarding the item. Chairperson
Mah asked for clarification from the City Attorney on the process of tabling an item. City
Attorney Eick relayed that the Board would need to set a date certain for the next hearing of
the item to preserve the advertisements. If requested for the item to be heard before the set
date certain the public hearing item would need to be readvertised within the paper.
CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA
MINUTES
PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD/LOCAL PLANNING AGENCY
REGULAR MEETING – AUGUST 7, 2025
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Mr. Stahl requested a quick five-minute recess from the Board to converse with his team. The
Board gave consensus to agree to the request for a quick recess .
*Pro Tem Chairperson Hood recessed the meeting at 7:37 PM.*
*Pro Tem Chairperson Hood called the meeting back to order at 7:45 PM.*
Brief discussion ensued to verify the Board would have a present quorum if the item was
tabled to September 11th to be reheard with the additional items. The Board verified a quorum.
“I MAKE A MOTION TO CONTINUE THIS AGENDA ITEM UNTIL THE DATE CERTAIN OF
SEPTEMBER 11TH AT 5:30 IN CITY COMMISSION CHAMBERS.” MOTION BY CHAIRPERSON
MAH. SECONDED BY BOARD MEMBER HILAL. DISCUSSION.
VOTE: MAH (AYE); HOOD (AYE); MAHNKEN (AYE); HILAL (AYE)
MOTION CARRIED 4-0.
402) Winter Springs Marketplace Additional Parking – Site/Final Engineering and
Development Agreement.
Mr. Rabon opened the item and gave the staff presentation with background information, a
site plan overview, and staff recommendation of approval with the three (3) listed proposed
conditions. Brief discussion ensued on whether it was appropriate to move forward with this
item since the other was postponed. City Attorney Eick relayed the Board could move forward
with hearing the item if they wish to do so. Mr. Stitler responded that they, the applicant, would
prefer following the same line as the Wawa applicant and city staff had no objection.
Pro Tem Chairperson Hood opened the Public Hearing for Item 402.
No one addressed the Board.
Pro Tem Chairperson Hood closed the Public Hearing for Item 402.
“I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO POSTPONE ITEM 402 WINTER SPRINGS
MARKETPLACE ADDITIONAL PARKING FINAL ENGINEERING AND DEVELOPMENT
AGREEMENT TO SEPTEMBER 11TH AT 5:30 PM IN THE [CITY COMMISSION CHAMBERS].”
MOTION BY BOARD MEMBER HILAL. SECONDED BY BOARD MEMBER MAHNKEN.
DISCUSSION.
VOTE: MAH (AYE); HOOD (AYE); MAHNKEN (AYE); HILAL (AYE)
MOTION CARRIED 4-0.
REGULAR AGENDA
500. Not Used
REPORTS
PUBLIC INPUT
Pro Tem Chairperson Hood opened Public Input.
No one addressed the Board.
Pro Tem Chairperson Hood closed Public Input