Merrywood Lakefront Lot Split — Comprehensive Plan Text Amendment (Policy 1-5.1.8)
Description
Attorney Tara Tedrow is asking the city to add a new Future Land Use Element policy letting lakefront properties of 3.5+ upland acres split into two lots of at least 1.5 acres each with 150 feet of frontage and a combined 40,000 sq ft floor area cap. The P&Z Board recommended approval; the Commission discussed but took no vote.
Impact summary
If the house is demolished first, the board signaled there's no public benefit to approving the lot split afterward.
Applicant
- Name
- Tara Tedrow
- Address
- 1020 Palmer Avenue, Winter Park, FLSee this on the map
At a glance
- Hearings
- 7
- Public comments
- 22
- Total mentions
- 7
Last vote · City Commission
Last discussed Jun 24, 2026.
Meeting timeline (7)
City Commission - Jun 24, 2026
The commission approved the Comp Plan policy letting qualifying 3.5+ acre R-1AAA lakefront lots split in two, with a 30,000 sq ft combined cap and design conditions, on first reading.
City Commission - Jun 22, 2026
Request to add Policy 1-5.1.8 to the Future Land Use Element so the 3.67-acre Merrywood lakefront lot can split into two 1.5-acre-plus lots, each with 150 feet of lake and street frontage and combined floor area capped at 40,000 square feet. P&Z recommended approval 4-2; the Commission holds a public hearing Wednesday.
Historic Preservation Board - Jun 10, 2026
The contract purchaser (referred to as Tara) is seeking a lot split and comp plan amendment that would let her buy the whole property and split it — which board members fear leads straight to Merrywood's demolition. Staff noted the comp plan amendment process, including state review, pushes any demolition decision to later this year.
Planning and Zoning Board - Jun 2, 2026
A property-specific Comprehensive Plan amendment to allow the 3.67-acre Merrywood lakefront estate to be split into two lots of at least 1.5 acres, with a combined 40,000-square-foot home-size cap. The board recommended approval 4-2; the City Commission makes the final call.
Planning and Zoning Board - May 26, 2026
A request to add a policy to the Comprehensive Plan allowing a one-time split of this 3.67-acre lakefront lot, which would enable redevelopment of the site where the historic 1938 Merrywood house stands under an active demolition permit.
City Commission - Feb 25, 2026
A request to add a policy to the Future Land Use Element allowing lakefront property that meets specific criteria to be subdivided or lot-split. The commission tabled it to June 24, matching the P&Z Board's June 2 delay.
Planning and Zoning Board - Jan 27, 2026
A tabled comp plan text amendment that would allow a lot split; the applicant is expected to request another continuance next month while a demolition permit for the historic house is pending.
Related issues (4)
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