Winter Springs Commissioners Weigh Releasing Conservation Easement on Golf Course

Winter Springs commissioners opened their first meeting of the year by debating whether to release part of a 133-acre public conservation easement on the closed Winter Springs Golf Course, a parcel on the north side of West State Road 434 that sits within The Highlands neighborhood. The decision does not involve city ownership of the land, but commissioners said the council can determine whether any portion of the easement is relinquished for development - a choice with direct implications for local open space and housing density.

Commissioners framed the discussion as part of a larger review of properties across the city that may be vulnerable to development pressure. Commissioner Cade Resnick voiced concern about the broader pattern of redevelopment, saying, “I’m just concerned that we’re going to have some projects coming up, especially towards our open land, where it’s going to be high density wherever they can.” Residents in The Highlands have urged the city to protect the conservation easement and preserve the course's fairways, lakes and tree canopy.

The Winter Springs Golf Course has been the subject of proposals for more than a decade. In 2023, Pulte Homes proposed a plan that would have preserved fairways and lakes as open space or parks while adding townhomes, bungalows, cottage homes and commercial space; those plans were ultimately withdrawn. The recurring interest from developers underscores the stakes for neighbors and planners as the city weighs competing goals of conserving green space and accommodating new housing.

Policy choices at the local and state level also came into focus during the discussion. Commissioners noted that decisions made in Tallahassee can alter the tools available to municipalities, affecting local control over land use and conservation protections. That dynamic raises procedural questions about how and when a conservation easement can be released, and what criteria should govern such a move if pursued.

City leadership signaled a desire for more analysis before any formal action. Commissioners requested clearer mapping and an inventory of lands at risk, aiming to identify parcels susceptible to future development and to understand how a release on any portion of the golf course easement would ripple through adjacent neighborhoods and infrastructure needs.

For residents, the outcome will shape both the character of The Highlands and the corridor along State Road 434. Protecting the easement would preserve a large swath of open space; releasing it could enable denser development and new housing types. The commission’s next steps are likely to include additional staff reports, mapping work, and public discussion before any vote. Those who care about parks, property values, traffic and neighborhood character will want to track forthcoming agendas and planning documents as the debate moves forward.