The parent company of timeshare giant Westgate Resorts is seeking rezoning for 38 acres in Davenport the company acquired through tax deed sales back in the 1980s.
Representatives for Central Florida Investments Inc. recently held pre-application meetings with Polk County’s Development Review Committee to discuss plans for a pair of residential communities on Pine Tree Trail between Ronald Reagan Parkway and Ernie Caldwell Boulevard.
The Westfield multifamily project will be located on two parcels south of the Briargrove community and will feature 160 apartments. The apartment development covers 8.82 acres, including 1.97 acres of open space. The buildings will be four stories tall with 40 units in each. A large stormwater pond is planned for the center of the development, with a walking path surrounding it. Two courtyards are anticipated between the apartment buildings.
A 7,000 square foot amenity center and pool are planned at the front of the development.
The Westfield single-family subdivision is just south of the multifamily parcel and crosses Bowen Road. It would consist of 47 detached homes and 48 townhomes on 28.83 acres, of which 25.90 acres are suitable for development. The development will have 5.89 acres of open space. Four pocket parks are planned throughout the neighborhood.
The detached home lots will measure 50 feet by 120 feet, while the townhomes would be 25 feet wide.
Both proposed developments will include one full-access driveway on Pine Tree Trail.
An amenity center or pool is not included in these plans, but these plans are conceptual and subject to change based on final engineering and jurisdictional review.
“This county has been growing constantly, so more residential space will always be in demand in certain parts of the county,” Rogus said. “I think applicants are looking for areas in need and helping to provide those needs.”
The two neighborhoods will be divided by landscaped buffers, according to site plans. However, the Polk County administration asked if they plan to add adjoining access to the developments. Plans were submitted by Kimley-Horn and Associates.
The uses for these projects are permitted within their districts, said Kyle Rogus, County Planning Administrator.
Rogus has observed significant development in the northeast corner of the county, attributed to the connections between Orlando and I-4.
The next steps for this project involve submitting a Level 2 or 3 review to the county. These reviews involve a full engineered site plan.
CFI and Westgate founder David Seigel died in April, a month after he retired from his CEO positions with the development and timeshare companies. The larger-than-life billionaire moved to Orlando in the early 1980s and began amassing properties throughout the region. Some of the Davenport parcels were acquired through tax deed sales in 1980, making them some of his first investments.
In recent years, CFI has sold off significant land holdings, including the former Mystery Fun House in Orlando and the former Grenelefe Golf and Tennis Club in Haines City.
Westgate Resorts operates the Westgate River Ranch Resort and Rodeo in Polk County, and is planning to expand the marina and add more timeshare units.
Davenport is one of fastest-growing areas of Polk County, and it’s starting to attract new retail investment from national brands, like Walmart and Sam’s Club.
The Bentonville, Arkansas, retail giant plans to start construction next year on the 56-acre shopping center with side-by-side big box stores on U.S. Hwy. 27. The stores will measure 197,798 square feet and 170,818 square feet, respectively, and will have parking for over 1,500 cars. Additionally, the site will feature nine out parcels, including two gas stations. The center will be at the intersection of US Hwy 27 and Holly Hill Grove Road 2, just north of Ridgewood Lakes.
Another retail shopping center, “Cottonwood Commons”, is being built directly across from the proposed Walmart and Sam’s Club. Orlando-based Intram Investments, which developed Posner Village, is leading the project. Intram plans to do the master infrastructure and lease or sell out parcels, said Randy Hodge, Executive Vice President of Intram Investments. The site is 12.8 acres with 1,085 feet of frontage on US Hwy 27.
Cottonwood currently has a convenience store under contract, working through permitting with the county, Hodge said. They are working on a leasing and sale agreement with two food-related users. The plans call for three fast-food restaurants, two multi-tenant units and an office building.
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