Winn-Dixie in Seminole may be redeveloped into 208-unit luxury apartment community
/A rednering of Livano Park and Park, a proposed 208-unit apartment complex at 8740 park boulevard | LIV Development
A 208-unit apartment community has been proposed for the site of an existing Winn-Dixie in Seminole.
Birmingham-based LIV Development is seeking approval to demolish the 55,316 square foot grocery store at 8740 Park Boulevard and replace it with Livano Park and Park, a Class A apartment complex with one-, two-, and three-bedroom units.
At a November 10th Seminole City Council workshop, councilmembers reviewed the proposal, which is seeking two deviations from the city’s land development code, including a taller building than permitted and a reduction in required parking.
Councilmember Chris Burke noted the city has not approved a building above the maximum 50 feet in his 13 years on the council and emphasized that LIV faces “two very large hurdles, the parking and the height.”
As currently designed, the side of the building fronting Park Boulevard would rise to 62.6 feet, while the section along Park Street would step down to 53.5 feet.
The winn-dixie at 8740 Park Boulevard in Seminole | google
LIV Development Director of Development Jonathan Knudsen said the design tapers intentionally to create a gentler scale as the building approaches nearby neighborhoods.
“We made the choice to step down because we wanted to be cognizant of the neighbors behind us at Seminole Lake,” Knudsen said. “We wanted to have some consideration for their view. We want to be good neighbors and good tenants of the community.”
As for parking, city code requires two parking spaces per unit which would total 416 spaces.
LIV is requesting 323 spaces based on guidance from the Institute of Transportation Engineers, the Urban Land Institute, and data from its own Florida communities.
A study from LIV’s team indicates only 309 spaces are needed, however several councilmembers remained skeptical.
“I would guarantee that if there are two people per apartment, they are going to have a car,” Councilmember Jim Quinn said. “You are cutting the parking from two parking spots to one and a half and that is going to create a problem. I can almost guarantee that each unit is going to have two cars.”
The proposal also exceeds the city’s limit of 24 units per acre, which allows a maximum of 172 units on the 7.18-acre site located in the Commercial General (CG) zoning district.
However, LIV is able to exceed that limit by pursuing a state authorized graywater density bonus that permits up to 25% more units when at least 75% of the project is equipped with a graywater system, which captures and reuses lightly used water from showers, bathroom sinks, and washing machines.
With that bonus, Livano Park and Park is eligible for 208 units.
Additional concerns were raised about traffic impacts and the project’s wood framed construction.
To move forward, the City of Seminole requires a formal development agreement since the proposal includes several deviations from the city’s land development code.
At the November 10th council workshop, councilmembers unanimously authorized the city manager to begin negotiations on a development agreement.
If approved, Livano Park and Park would include wood style flooring, quartz countertops, and stainless steel appliances.
Planned amenities include a fitness center, clubhouse, dog park, courtyard style pool with a sun shelf, cabanas, grilling areas, a fire pit, and a mix of yoga and game lawns.
In addition, residents will have access to a private co-working space they can rent monthly, allowing for dedicated home office options.
Early rent projections are $2,150 per month for a one bedroom, $2,734 per month for a two bedroom, and $3,225 per month for a three bedroom.
Pending approvals, LIV Development expects to purchase the property next October. The community would take 18 months to construct, with move-ins expected in 2028.
Livano Park and Park would represent LIV’s ninth project in the Tampa Bay region.
The developer previously built the 349-unit Rowan Pointe community at 7950 Park Boulevard, formerly known as the Livano Park Boulevard Apartments, which sold in 2023 for $108.6 million.
The project team includes attorney Katie Cole of Hill Ward Henderson, engineering firm George F. Young, and landscape architecture firm Dix.Hite + Partners.
