Chabad conditional use

An AICP-certified planner and Chabad member argued the small synagogue's impact pales next to recently approved hotel, museum, and church expansions, and that no economic or cost-benefit analysis of the project was done.

A 53-year resident said Winter Park has 47 churches but has never had a temple, and urged the commission to embrace inclusivity and allow a synagogue.

A 71-year Central Florida resident said it's time for Winter Park to have a synagogue so families can raise children with their own culture and faith.

Described how Chabad supported his family after his father's death, argued attendance is small (5-7 cars on a typical Sabbath, many walk), and said the community needs a permanent downtown home since the old synagogue burned down.

Speaking for Frank Santos, whose townhome is about 20 feet from the synagogue, objected to the rooftop event venue as a commercial use incompatible with residential neighbors and urged denial of the rooftop or reduced density.

Argued a synagogue, five townhomes, daycare, and rooftop rental venue is too much for 0.6 residentially zoned acres; questioned the three shared townhome parking spaces and warned rooftop event parking would spill into town.

A local CEO and investor described losing his father and finding community through Chabad, saying the project is essential infrastructure for his family and the people the city is recruiting.

A lifelong Jewish resident and business owner said having a synagogue will make the world a better place, noting she had no synagogue to attend when she lost a daughter and granddaughter.

A lifelong Winter Park resident and first-time homeowner said growing up without a synagogue in his own city made the project's value incalculable.

A resident since 1979 urged commissioners to weigh the non-measurable good of including the Jewish community in Winter Park's fabric, alongside acknowledged traffic impacts.

A Cloisters resident representing a ~50-signature petition said neighbors support the synagogue and townhomes but object to the daycare because existing church car lines already block Interlachen for up to 20 minutes.

A 77-year Winter Park native said the project is too much for the site — a standalone synagogue would be an asset, but the daycare, rooftop venue, and townhomes are incompatible in a residential setting.

Thanked the city for its embrace of Jewish life, described the menorah lighting and city partnerships, and asked the commission to make history by approving Winter Park's first permanent synagogue and Jewish daycare.

A nearby resident said traffic and especially the daycare concern him; questioned the traffic study's narrow scope and urged the city to commission an independent third-party review.

A neighbor of the Alfond Inn said promised parking never materialized and events block her street; urged a pause on new event-hosting buildings until the parking garage discussion is resolved.

Said the community is not antisemitic and everyone wants a synagogue — just not at that location; criticized the planning and zoning process and warned existing traffic could cause a fatality.

A near-50-year resident said the community wants to come together but questioned whether this is the best site given traffic, and hoped for a compromise that works for all parties.

Acknowledged the parking problem needs fixing with or without Chabad, then shared how Chabad showed up first when his mother died two weeks ago and said a downtown synagogue would let his son walk to services.

A UCF HR director said the project addresses two critical needs — faith and the shortage of daycare for working families — and urged the commission to make the historic decision.