Winter Park synagogue plan moves to second hearing

WINTER PARK, Fla. — Winter Park city commissioners voted 3-2 Wednesday to hold a second hearing on the Chabad of Greater Orlando’s proposal to build a new synagogue in downtown Winter Park.

City leaders said they need more time to review questions raised during hours of discussion at a commission meeting. A date for the second hearing has not been published.

The proposal includes tearing down the El Cortez apartment complex, which is currently occupied, and replacing it with a synagogue, daycare and five townhome units.

Residents and commissioners spoke in support of and opposition to parts of the project during the meeting.

“There has never been a temple in Winter Park. I have lived here 53 years and never had a place to worship in my own town,” Winter Park resident Molly Locy said.

Winter Park resident Nikki Seabol said the project may be too large for the site.

“There could be two truths. We can want a synagogue in downtown Winter Park, and we can say that a synagogue and five townhomes and a daycare and a rooftop rental venue is too much for 0.6 acres that is zoned residential,” Seabol said.

Chabad of Greater Orlando leaders have been looking for a new permanent location after a fire burned down their headquarters in 2024.

“You can make history by approving Winter Park’s first permanent home for Jewish life, a place where children will receive their first Jewish education and where generations will gather in moments of joy and moments of loss,” Rabbi Dovid Dubov, assistant director, of Chabad Greater Orlando said.

Mayor Sheila DeCiccio said the discussion was not about opposition to a synagogue.

“This is not about not wanting a synagogue in Winter Park. We would love a synagogue in Winter Park,” DeCiccio said.

City leaders said the proposed three-story building raised questions about downtown building regulations. Other concerns discussed at the meeting included traffic and congestion.

According to a traffic impact analysis by Kittelson & Associates, the proposed project is not anticipated to impact operations of the surrounding roadway network.