Oakland town commissioners voted on August 25 to grant preliminary approval to a sprawling 84,200-square-foot commercial complex currently known as Oakland Town Center. Located on a 14.80-acre site at the northwest corner of State Road 50 and Catherine Ross Road, the project includes 11 single-story commercial buildings designed to house restaurants, retail spaces, offices, wellness studios, and clinics. The commission voted to rezone the property from commercial general to planned unit development while also approving a development agreement and a preliminary subdivision plan with conditions. Developer Alex Reece stated that the project aims to function as an oasis for the town, featuring landscaping, fountains, and pedestrian walkways designed to offer an environment distinct from typical highway retail.
Economic Projections and Strict Use Restrictions:
Mayor Shane Taylor expressed strong support for the project, noting it is projected to generate approximately $40 million per year, create 450 to 550 jobs, and be built in a single phase. Under the approved development agreement, specific restrictions were incorporated to ban vape shops, tobacco stores, and marijuana dispensaries. Furthermore, Mayor Taylor requested prohibitions against automotive retail, daycare centers, pre-K, and kindergarten schools, explicitly stating a desire to prevent businesses like AutoZone from opening in the plaza. The ban on marijuana dispensaries is reinforced by Florida Statute § 381.986(11)(b), which grants municipalities explicit authority to prohibit such facilities outright.
Aesthetic Concerns and Fenestration Standards:
Despite moving forward, several members of the commission raised concerns regarding the aesthetics of the project. Commissioner Kris Keller and Vice Mayor Michael Satterfield argued that the modern, industrial look of the buildings fails to match Oakland’s historic character and small-town identity. Discussion heavily focused on fenestration requirements, as Oakland’s land development code and Urban Corridor design district standards mandate 60% window and glass coverage on commercial buildings. While the developers’ general averages fell 20.8% below that threshold, pedestrian-band frontages are designed to provide between 54% and 65% transparency. Similar historic preservation standards were previously applied in March 2024 during the approval of the Harvest District project on State Road 50.
Signage Debates and Neighborhood Proximity:
Signage requests also emerged as a point of contention during the review. Developers requested three ground-mounted project signs rather than the single 48-square-foot sign normally permitted by town rules, including two multi-tenant monuments and a larger 20-foot-9-inch monument at the intersection of State Road 50 and Catherine Ross Road. Commissioner Keller expressed specific worries about the Catherine Ross Road monument due to its proximity to the adjacent Winters Landing subdivision, which comprises 58 single-family homes. Additionally, commissioners raised concerns that the name “Oakland Town Center” could overshadow the town’s official Main Street Overlay District. In response, developers agreed to propose alternative project names and revised renderings for the upcoming second ordinance hearing.
Access Layout and Next Steps:
The development layout incorporates five total access points: two via South Starr Street, one from State Road 50, and two from Catherine Ross Road a municipal connector opened earlier in the year. Plans also outline a retaining wall along State Road 50 and Catherine Ross Road ranging from minimal height up to 10 feet. Driven by regional growth including a 38.5% population increase in Oakland between 2010 and 2020 and broader expansion across West Orange County the project proceeds toward its second ordinance hearing scheduled for September 9, where revised names, signage plans, and updated architectural renderings will be presented.
