Growth in Winter Springs: What’s Really Going On, and What We Can (and Can’t) Control
One of the most common questions I get is:
“Why is there so much development happening in Winter Springs?”
It’s a fair question. Whether you’re seeing new coffee shops, retail shops, or large-scale projects like Wawa or Chick-fil-A, it can feel like a lot is quickly changing.
As your City Commissioner, I want to be transparent about how this happens, what role the City plays, and what we can (and can’t) do about it.
The Limits of City Control: Private Land, Zoning, and Free Enterprise
The reality is that most development in Winter Springs happens on privately owned land. When a property owner wants to sell or develop their land, and their project fits within the existing zoning, land use, and Town Center Code, the City has no legal authority to deny it simply because the community might prefer a different type of business.
For example:
The new Chick-fil-A and Ace Hardware were approved because they aligned with the high-density use designated for that site. The developer also paid $90,000 in tree mitigation fees to proceed with clearing the land.
And while it’s fair to ask if we really need another Chick-fil-A five miles from the last one, this is where free market principles apply. Cities like ours can’t deny a business simply based on competition or preference. We have to follow the law.
Projects the City Did Not Approve
Some development happens outside of City control. For instance, the controversial storage unit project was approved by Seminole County, not Winter Springs. Although the City formally opposed it, we had no jurisdiction to stop it because of the way the property was zoned at the County level.
What Has Been Approved Recently
Since I took office, I’ve voted to approve several projects that complied with City regulations:
- Chick-fil-A
- Ace Hardware
- Wawa (with site improvements to the nearby turn lane near Chipotle)
- Tropical Smoothie
- The Learning Experience (preschool)
All of these projects followed our zoning code and went through the required approval process.
What About Upscale Restaurants and Boutique Retail?
Many of you have asked: Why don’t we attract more curated or upscale businesses?
I’ve asked both our City and County Community Development teams how we might recruit more high-end commercial tenants. The answers aren’t easy. We don’t have a direct tool to bring them in, especially when land is sold on a first-come, first-served basis.
One idea we’re exploring is offering tax incentives or crafting long-term strategies that make Winter Springs a more attractive location for these types of businesses. But again, any such effort will require broader Commission support and a sustained plan.
The good news is, activity breeds interest. While traffic can be frustrating, many higher-end businesses view it as a sign of strong market demand. So each new project — even those we might not have chosen ourselves — can help pave the way for the kinds of businesses we do hope to see.
What You Can Do
If you have ideas or suggestions for the types of businesses you’d like to see in Winter Springs — or contacts in the development world who might be interested — please reach out. Resident input is crucial, and I welcome the opportunity to collaborate with you on shaping our city’s future.
At the end of the day, I care just as deeply as you do about preserving the charm of Winter Springs and ensuring that new development enhances our quality of life. Thank you to every resident who has taken the time to write, call, or speak up about this issue. I hear you. And I’m committed to keeping you informed every step of the way.
—
Victoria K. Bruce
City Commissioner, District 2
Winter Springs, Florida
