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Residents worry about traffic with possible Lee Road extension

WINTER PARK, Fla. — Florida Department of Transportation officials said they want to extend Lee Road to help with the traffic flow that’s expected to come with the development of new shops and restaurants.

Corporate Square was recently demolished to pave the way for a proposed Whole Foods supermarket and 40,000 square feet of retail space.

Now, plans are in the works to extend busy Lee Road to a residential portion of Denning Drive to accommodate additional traffic.

Residents on Denning Drive applaud the city’s development, but not if it means more traffic funneled onto their street.

“We can’t just sit without development but we have to keep in mind what the development is going to do on the local traffic,” said resident Wesley Necrason.

A study done by FDOT estimated the Lee Road expansion project would cost $16 million.

Funding and research is still needed.

“As long as they develop it with Winter Park’s quaint neighborhood in mind. We don't want to lose that feeling,” Necrason said.

The planning and zoning board will meet next month about the proposed development of Lee Road.

A final recommendation will be presented to the city in June.