Winter Garden residents express ire at proposed convenience store

WINTER GARDEN, Fla. — A huge crowd packed Winter Garden City Hall Wednesday evening to express their anger over a 7-Eleven store planned for a residential part of the city.

The 7-Eleven, with its six gas pumps, is to be built near Roberson and Windermere roads, an area that is predominately residential.

"This is all about money. They don't care about the community," said a resident at the meeting.

At the meeting residents pleaded with city leaders to stop the construction.

"You have a room full of voters here who are asking you... This is not a done deal," said a resident.   

WFTV's Tim Barber learned that the land was rezoned as commercial 15 years ago, so 7-Eleven has every right to build.

That didn't stop irate residents from voicing their concerns, which included fear of decreasing house values and traffic safety.

"Just because you can, doesn't mean you should," said one resident.

The remark was met with applause from the crowd. 

Lake Whitney Elementary is just down the road from the site of the store, and a park is across the street.

"More people are going to be hurt, more accidents are going to happen," a resident said at the meeting.

Many of those at the meeting also expressed anger at 7-Eleven because no company representatives attended the meeting.
   
An attorney speaking on behalf of 7-Eleven told Barber that the company was impressed by the sense of community and they intend to continue to work with the neighbors to reach a common ground.

WFTV