A blighted section of Palmetto Avenue will be upgraded with new building designs and additional street parking.
Z Properties co-owner Zane Williams appeared before city commission on February 26 to discuss his firm’s plans for properties he currently owns at 1242-1360 Palmetto Avenue. The hearing, originally set for the February 12 commission meeting, focused on a Z Properties request for the city to vacate the right of way on a portion of Cypress Avenue between the SunRail tracks and Palmetto Avenue. Questions surrounding the intended use of the property and the possible loss of parking across from Seven Oaks Park led commissioners to table the discussion for additional site visits and to allow Williams to present a more detailed project presentation.
Z Properties is behind several local projects including the replacement of a 37-year-old Louisiana Avenue office complex, the Storyville Coffee building by the corner of Morse Boulevard and Knowles Avenue, and the recently opened Solana Fine Art Gallery.
Site plans and renderings in the February 26 meeting agenda show redeveloped one-story buildings that Williams explained would be repurposed with new facades and redesigned interiors. A 9-12-space parking lot will also be remade into a brick-paved lot with 14 designated spaces. Williams said he already oversaw the demolition of one structure that could not be repurposed and the clearing of overgrown vegetation at the back of the property. He also noted that he would finance the renovation of the sidewalk and the addition of 14 new on-street parking spaces that will encroach into a portion of his property to maintain the drivable width of the street.
Commissioners Sullivan and Cruzada asked whether the new 14-space lot could be used for after-hours public access. Williams expressed concern at the suggestion, citing the possibility of overnight parking and litter that would interfere with parking by paying tenants. He also pointed out that the city was not losing parking with his plan as the former lot had not been used for public parking and the planned 14 on-street spaces were accessible for public use.
“We’re bringing in Class A tenants to a street that was forgotten about,” he said. “We’re turning this C-minus space into A space and to do that, I also need parking.”
Vice mayor Todd Weaver said he first planned to vote against vacating the right of way, citing its possible future use as a railroad crossing, but conceded the 14 on-street spaces changed his opinion.
Commissioners unanimously voted to vacate the right of way for the project. No construction timeline or details on tenant leasing were made available.
The next city commission meeting is scheduled for March 12. City meeting information and agendas, archived meeting videos, and livestreaming can be accessed at cityofwinterpark/org/meetings.