Palm Hills Retail Center – Winter Park, FL

Facility Opening Date: SUMMER 2022

The Palm Hills Retail Center in Winter Park, FL, required extensive entitlements, including public hearing representation, civil engineering design, and permitting, with a focus on creating a functional site layout that balances aesthetics and efficiency.

The Palm Hills Retail Center involved the strategic assembly of multiple parcels along a key commercial corridor in Winter Park, part of the greater Orlando area. Z Development Services was tasked with maximizing the leasable area in one of Central Florida’s most competitive real estate markets. Project challenges included a complex entitlement process, vocal neighborhood opposition, and multiple public hearings. Z Development Services led the effort through these hurdles, providing full representation throughout the entitlement process. To meet parking requirements and maximize usable space, the site was designed with a large underground stormwater storage system. A separate parcel across a rear alley was also integrated into the development to provide a remote parking area.

Civil Engineering Consulting Services Provided: 

• Due Diligence: The Palm Hills Retail Center project began with the strategic assembly of several parcels along a prominent commercial corridor in Winter Park, within the greater Orlando area. Z Development Services was tasked with maximizing leasable area on this high-value real estate. Our team conducted a thorough investigation of all parcels involved, exploring multiple site plan configurations to accommodate different assembly scenarios. Once the final group of properties was secured, the site plan was refined to deliver optimal square footage while ensuring compliance with parking and code requirements. Throughout this phase, we assisted the client in coordinating essential studies, including a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment, a geotechnical investigation, a boundary and topographic survey, and a traffic impact analysis.
  
  
• Entitlements: To move forward with the development, the project required a Conditional Use Permit from the City of Winter Park. Z Development Services led the entitlement process by coordinating with landscape and architectural design teams to prepare preliminary site and building plans. We held numerous meetings with city officials and Florida Department of Transportation staff to resolve issues related to site access, layout, and aesthetics. A neighborhood meeting was also held to engage with nearby residents, many of whom were vocal in their opposition. Through ongoing dialogue and design revisions, we addressed community concerns and achieved a mutually agreeable plan. The result was a unanimous vote by the City Council to approve the Conditional Use Permit.

• Construction Drawings and Permitting: With entitlements secured, Z Development Services produced a complete set of construction documents. These included detailed plans for site layout, utilities, grading, drainage, and stormwater management. The site presented unique challenges due to its compact nature, requiring significant imported fill, the use of retaining walls, and the installation of an underground stormwater retention system. A remote parking area across a rear alley was also designed and permitted separately with its own stormwater infrastructure. Our government relations team managed the coordination of permits across several agencies, including the City of Winter Park, the Florida Department of Transportation, the St. Johns River Water Management District, and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Gas and electric service coordination for the newly constructed buildings was also completed during this phase.

•  Construction Administration: Once all permits were in place, Z Development Services supported the pre-construction process by participating in kickoff meetings with the City of Winter Park and the Florida Department of Transportation. Our team conducted detailed reviews of shop drawings to ensure that all construction materials and methods aligned with the approved design plans and technical specifications. We maintained close communication with the contractor to provide guidance during the buildout and address any field conditions that required coordination or adjustment.
  
  
• Close Out: As the project neared completion, Z Development Services coordinated the final closeout process to ensure full compliance with all regulatory requirements. We wcollaboratedwith the contractor to obtain and review the necessary as-built surveys, test results, and supporting documentation required for certification. This final step allowed the project to be formally approved by the relevant agencies and ready for occupancy, marking the successful completion of the Palm Hills Retail Center development.