Orange County — Board of Zoning Adjustment

SE-25-02-146 — Scott Baker for Windermere Prep School

Request: Amendment to previous Special Exceptions in the R-CE zoning district as follows: 1) To modify a condition of approval to allow lighting for the outdoor recreational areas. 2) To modify a condition of approval to increase the student enrollment from 1,600 to 1,800.

Decision: Approved

Hearing: Staff described the proposal, including the location of the property, the site plan, and photos of the site. Staff provided an analysis of the six (6) criteria and the reasons for a recommendation for denial of request #1 and approval of request #2. Staff noted that 32 comments were received in favor and 55 comments were received in opposition to the request. Staff also noted that several comments were duplicates and several were from outside of the mapped area. The applicant was present and presented their case, the ways the 6 criteria are met, and the reasons prompting the request. There were 2 people who spoke in favor of the requests. They discussed the need for the lighting stating the added lighting will delay practice and event start time and allow students additional time in school. There were 20 people who spoke in opposition to the requests. They discussed concerns with the increased noise by the increased frequency of events brought about by the added lighting and impacts on the wildlife that lives within the wetland areas. The BZA discussed the original Special Exceptions granted and the appropriateness of modifying the past approval conditions. The BZA recommended denial of Request #1 and approval of Request #2 by a 5-2 vote, subject to the nine (9) conditions presented during the hearing.

Conditions: 1) Development shall be in accordance with the site plan dated January 17, 2025, as modified to remove the lighting, and the landscape plan dated March 6, 2025, subject to the conditions of approval, and all applicable laws, ordinances, and regulations. Any proposed non-substantial deviations, changes, or modifications will be subject to the Zoning Manager's review and approval. Any proposed substantial deviations, changes, or modifications will be subject to a public hearing before the Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA) where the BZA makes a recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners (BCC).