New construction is coming to the former Holler Chevrolet site along with flood control and road improvements. Images courtesy of: City of Winter Park
A new commercial development is set to revive the former Holler Chevrolet site along Fairbanks Avenue between S. Denning Drive and S. Capen Avenue. Conditional use approval was granted to the Holler family’s DI Partners LLLP for 26,210-square-feet of retail and restaurant space on properties at 805, 801, and 771 W. Fairbanks Ave., and at 555 S. Capen Ave.
The site plan includes a string of one-story buildings and parking that fits the property’s vested C3 commercial zoning, in place prior to its inclusion within the Orange Avenue Overlay District. The vesting provision was added for property owners able to demonstrate a negative impact stemming from OAO regulations, which include a 25% open space mandate for properties over 1.25 acres in size.
City Planning Director Emeritus Jeff Briggs said the former truck lot has been “crying out for redevelopment,” but its narrow dimensions have made improvement a challenge. “It is a very shallow-depth property – it’s really the hardest piece of the former Holler Chevrolet properties to develop,” he said. City Commission previously agreed that a 25% restriction on available space for buildings or the 106-space parking lot would adversely impact the project. But the developer also donated portions of the property and a neighboring lot to help mitigate stormwater issues and traffic problems.
Bob Ziegenfuss, owner of Orlando-based Z Development Services, described the urban design concept as “an adaptive reuse” of the one-story design that currently exist at the property, and is “meant to feel like it’s been there for a while.” Buildings will be set closer to the street with an 18-inch elevation from the sidewalk to separate possible outdoor dining areas. The decreased setback from the street is due in part to the donation of two feet along the Fairbanks Avenue frontage that will allow the city to widen traffic lanes from nine to 10 feet.
DI Partners also have donated 10-feet of property for a left turn lane from Fairbanks onto S. Denning, and a vacant property by Comstock Avenue that will be used for stormwater flood control. According to Briggs, the resulting pond will accommodate up to six inches of additional rainfall, decreasing stormwater flow to MLK Park and Lake Midget.
No timelines for construction or leasing have been given, but the project is among many commercial developments and property purchases throughout the city. An Orlando Business Journal report cites $35 million in real estate deals along Fairbanks Avenue between Interstate 4 and Pennsylvania Avenue over the past two years that includes the Massey Services, Inc. purchase of the Linda’s Winter Park Diner property in August of 2023. And pre development marketing is underway at McCraney Property Company’s three-story, 29,500-square-foot office building at 1100 N. Orange Ave., which will begin leasing next year and is estimated to break ground in the fourth quarter of 2025.
