What were the most significant items on the Minneola Planning & Zoning Commission agenda for January 2025?

Q: What were the most significant items on the Minneola Planning & Zoning Commission agenda for January 2025?

· **Hills of Minneola City Center taking shape:** Four approvals in one meeting (two variances, two site plans) cleared the way for Crooked Can brewery to become the first tenant of the Hills of Minneola City Center. The temporary parking solution (compacted soil, 4-year maximum) signals a phased approach to mixed-use development along the Turnpike corridor. This is the most significant commercial/entertainment project in Minneola's pipeline. · **Grassy Lake Medical annexation signals eastward growth:** The developer agreement for a medical office on property currently in Lake County indicates Minneola is actively annexing and developing east toward Grassy Lake. Community engagement was notably positive — the developer met with residents and earned unanimous board support. · **Commission pushing for code compliance over developer convenience:** Both the parking space dimensions (rejecting 9x18 in favor of code-required 10x20) and the turf ordinance condition show this board enforcing standards rather than granting blanket developer flexibility. This pattern of holding the line on code compliance is worth tracking. · **Infrastructure coordination with Lake County is critical:** The Keystone Pass Blvd intersection, the planned pedestrian tunnel, and the county road access for Grassy Lake Medical all require Lake County coordination. Minneola's growth is increasingly dependent on county infrastructure investment. · **February meeting to include commissioner appointments and chair election:** Vice Chairman Trujillo confirmed upcoming leadership changes. The board composition shift could affect development review dynamics going forward.

Meeting Reading

Minneola Planning & Zoning Commission

January 6, 2025

6 items on the agenda

**Hills of Minneola City Center taking shape:** Four approvals in one meeting (two variances, two site plans) cleared the way for Crooked Can brewery to become the first tenant of the Hills of Minneola City Center. The temporary parking solution (compacted soil, 4-year maximum) signals a phased approach to mixed-use development along the Turnpike corridor. This is the most significant commercial/entertainment project in Minneola's pipeline.
**Grassy Lake Medical annexation signals eastward growth:** The developer agreement for a medical office on property currently in Lake County indicates Minneola is actively annexing and developing east toward Grassy Lake. Community engagement was notably positive — the developer met with residents and earned unanimous board support.
**Commission pushing for code compliance over developer convenience:** Both the parking space dimensions (rejecting 9x18 in favor of code-required 10x20) and the turf ordinance condition show this board enforcing standards rather than granting blanket developer flexibility. This pattern of holding the line on code compliance is worth tracking.

On January 6, 2025, City of Minneola's Planning & Zoning Commission considered 6 agenda items. **Hills of Minneola City Center taking shape:** Four approvals in one meeting (two variances, two site plans) cleared the way for Crooked Can brewery to become the first tenant of the Hills of Minneola City Center. The temporary parking solution (compacted soil, 4-year maximum) signals a phased approach to mixed-use development along the Turnpike corridor. This is the most significant commercial/entertainment project in Minneola's pipeline. **Grassy Lake Medical annexation signals eastward growth:** The developer agreement for a medical office on property currently in Lake County indicates Minneola is actively annexing and developing east toward Grassy Lake. Community engagement was notably positive — the developer met with residents and earned unanimous board support. **Commission pushing for code compliance over developer convenience:** Both the parking space dimensions (rejecting 9x18 in favor of code-required 10x20) and the turf ordinance condition show this board enforcing standards rather than granting blanket developer flexibility. This pattern of holding the line on code compliance is worth tracking.

CHANGE LENS

THE READINGmeeting record

City of Minneola Planning & Zoning Commission — January 6, 2025

Meeting Overview

Type: Regular Meeting Quorum: Yes (4 of 5 regular members present) Duration: ~72 minutes (6:31 PM – 7:43 PM)

Attendance

Present: Vice Chairman Oscar Trujillo, Commissioner William McCoy, Commissioner Nathan Focht, Alternate Commissioner Joanna O'Halloran
Absent: Commissioner Leonard Jackson (excused by motion 4-0)
Staff Present: Jennifer Cotch (City Attorney), Joyce Heffington (City Planner)
Also Present: Councilor Debbie Flinn, Eric Raasch (Inspire Placemaking Collective, Contract Planner)

Agenda Items

Item 1: Approval of December 2, 2024 Meeting Minutes

Type: Other
Action: Approved
Vote: 4-0
Notable Discussion: No changes requested.

Item 6: Resolution 2025-02 Grassy Lake Medical Developer Agreement

Type: Developer Agreement
Location: Grassy Lake area (currently in Lake County, annexation into Minneola)
Applicant: Kaveh Albekord (developer), represented by Jimmy Crawford
Request: Approval of developer agreement for Grassy Lake Medical office project
Current Zoning: Lake County jurisdiction
Proposed Zoning: [not specified — developer agreement governs uses]
Staff Recommendation: Approval with standard parking size (10x20) maintained per city code
Action: Approved
Vote: 4-0
Conditions: Developer agreement to reflect standard-size parking spaces (10x20) per city code; daytime businesses only; height maximum 35 feet (one story); specific items to be resolved before City Council
Notable Discussion: Joyce Heffington noted property is currently in the County. The developer met with surrounding community residents and reported a positive outcome. Commissioner Focht was concerned about building setbacks on the west side encroaching adjacent property. Crawford confirmed the team worked closely with the neighbor and landscaping will be added. Focht pushed for standard parking spaces (10x20) rather than the proposed 9x18. Heffington confirmed code requires 10x20 and plans showed undersized spaces. Focht wanted daytime-business-only restriction. McCoy asked about lighting — developer confirmed compliance with dark sky regulations and city code. Three community members spoke in support, noting the developer's willingness to meet with residents. Denise Price (Hill Point St) requested fence installation and one-story building guarantee.

Item 2: Resolution 2025-01 Variance — City Center Parking

Type: Variance
Location: Hills of Minneola City Center
Applicant: Represented by Tara Tedrow (Lowndes Law)
Request: Variance for temporary parking area (landscaping and temporary parking) for up to four years while overall city center is completed
Staff Recommendation: Approve
Action: Approved
Vote: 4-0
Notable Discussion: Eric Raasch presented that this is Phase 1 infrastructure for the Hills of Minneola City Center. The temporary parking lot uses compacted soil (not paved) and allows Crooked Can brewery to open while other tenant site plans are finalized. Commissioner Focht recommended a removal bond to protect both parties. Handicap spaces will be paved. PUD agreement provides for shared parking in the future. Commissioner Focht stressed the need for barriers along Keystone Pass Blvd to prevent vehicles from jumping curbs.

Item 3: Hills of Minneola City Center Site Plan

Type: Site Plan
Location: Hills of Minneola City Center
Applicant: Represented by Tara Tedrow (Lowndes Law)
Request: Site plan approval for Phase 1 infrastructure
Staff Recommendation: Approve
Action: Approved
Vote: 4-0
Notable Discussion: Tied to Item 2 — site plan for infrastructure supporting the temporary parking and initial development. Staff signed off on all elements.

Item 4: Resolution 2024-23 Variance — Crooked Can Architecture and Turf

Type: Variance
Location: Hills of Minneola City Center (Crooked Can brewery building)
Applicant: Represented by Tara Tedrow (Lowndes Law)
Request: Four variances for Crooked Can vertical construction: (1) allow exterior wall planes to contract more than 50% of ground floor facade (back of house); (2) allow blank wall area to exceed 10 ft vertical and 20 ft horizontal on one facade; (3) allow roof with 2:12 pitch; (4) allow artificial turf in children's area
Staff Recommendation: Approve
Action: Approved with condition
Vote: 4-0
Conditions: Artificial turf must follow current city turf ordinance
Notable Discussion: Commissioner Focht disclosed he spoke with the applicant's team by phone earlier in the day. He asked about faux windows on the facade with the most blank wall space — Tedrow explained the design minimizes vertical breaks and penetrations for moisture barrier purposes. Focht asked whether artwork depicted on the building could be included as a condition of approval. Tedrow stated she would need to research artificial turf compliance with city code before Council. Commissioner Trujillo expressed concern about vehicles potentially coming from the Turnpike onto the property — Tedrow confirmed the Turnpike has its own guardrail barriers.

Item 5: Crooked Can Site Plan

Type: Site Plan
Location: Hills of Minneola City Center (Crooked Can brewery)
Applicant: Represented by Tara Tedrow (Lowndes Law)
Request: Site plan approval for Crooked Can brewery building
Staff Recommendation: Approve
Action: Approved with conditions
Vote: 4-0
Conditions: Approval conditioned on Council approving the variances in Item 4
Notable Discussion: Commissioner McCoy asked about a traffic signal at the project entrance and Keystone Pass Blvd — Tedrow said the team is working with the County on intersection plans and a tunnel under Keystone Pass Blvd is in planning stages. Monica Marlow from Lake Natural Gas expressed interest in working with Crooked Can.

Public Hearings Summary

Number of speakers: 5 (Tom Donahue, Joe Mullins, Denise Price during Item 6; Monica Marlow, Kevin Carey during Items 2-5)
General sentiment: Supportive — community pleased that developer engaged directly with residents
Key concerns:
- Parking space dimensions (9x18 proposed vs 10x20 required by code)
- Light buffering and dark sky compliance for medical office adjacent to residential
- Fence/screening between medical development and residential properties
- Daytime-only business restriction
- Traffic signal and intersection safety at Keystone Pass Blvd
- Vehicle barrier protection along Keystone Pass and Turnpike edge

Key Signals

Hills of Minneola City Center taking shape: Four approvals in one meeting (two variances, two site plans) cleared the way for Crooked Can brewery to become the first tenant of the Hills of Minneola City Center. The temporary parking solution (compacted soil, 4-year maximum) signals a phased approach to mixed-use development along the Turnpike corridor. This is the most significant commercial/entertainment project in Minneola's pipeline.
Grassy Lake Medical annexation signals eastward growth: The developer agreement for a medical office on property currently in Lake County indicates Minneola is actively annexing and developing east toward Grassy Lake. Community engagement was notably positive — the developer met with residents and earned unanimous board support.
Commission pushing for code compliance over developer convenience: Both the parking space dimensions (rejecting 9x18 in favor of code-required 10x20) and the turf ordinance condition show this board enforcing standards rather than granting blanket developer flexibility. This pattern of holding the line on code compliance is worth tracking.
Infrastructure coordination with Lake County is critical: The Keystone Pass Blvd intersection, the planned pedestrian tunnel, and the county road access for Grassy Lake Medical all require Lake County coordination. Minneola's growth is increasingly dependent on county infrastructure investment.
February meeting to include commissioner appointments and chair election: Vice Chairman Trujillo confirmed upcoming leadership changes. The board composition shift could affect development review dynamics going forward.

Raw Notes

Meeting chaired by Vice Chairman Oscar Trujillo. Agenda was reordered: Item 6 moved to be heard first, then Items 2-5 discussed together with separate votes. Commissioner Jackson absent and excused (4-0). No public comments during general public comment period. Meeting adjourned at 7:43 PM.

[THE READING]meeting record