WINTER SPRINGS, Fla. — Some residents in Winter Springs said their city has no room for commercial development.
More than 1,000 people have signed a petition to stop a super Walmart from coming to town.
The proposed site is located at State Road 434 and Vistawilla Drive.
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Channel 9 has learned that the land in question is not zoned for a business like Walmart and is meant to be developed in phases.
Industries allowed that are listed in the ordinance include environmental, technological and research. The ordinance also says exceptions can be made for some commercial use.
“Having a super Walmart right outside my neighborhood is not ideal,” said resident Ashley Recchi. “I’d like to keep it more, you know, a close-knit neighborhood style.”
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Residents said they want city leaders to find a better way to develop what’s known as the Greenway Interchange District.
“I don’t want it,” said resident Shannon Prowell. “I know there’s going to be growth, but we want smart growth.”
At a commission meeting earlier this week, Deputy Mayor Kevin Cannon said the super Walmart plan does exist but so far, nothing has been filed with the city.
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“As you are preparing your application. I just wanted to bring a few things to your attention,” said Cannon. “The purpose of the Greenway Interchange District is intended to be predominately a high-quality business/office park development that is master-planned.”
Channel 9 received the following statement from the city: “The city commission is prohibited by state law from taking a position on any proposed development project before the project application is presented to them at a public hearing for a decision.”
However, some neighbors think it could be a good fit for the city’s younger crowd.
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“I think it would be another place to access that’s open just a little bit later,” said resident Kimberly Colomer.
The next commissioners’ meeting is on Aug. 8.
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