The Seminole County Board of Commissioners will review final details on Tuesday of the new capacity agreement at the popular outdoor event venue Wekiva Island.
Commissioners recently reviewed and approved some of the requests made by the venue for a special event permit.
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Wekiva Island had requested a special event permit for its annual Christmas event. Wekiva Island hosts Winter Wonderland events with family-friendly Christmas activities that in past years have included snow flurries, train rides and outdoor movies.
For the last eight years, the event has run 30 days, but, this year, the commissioners approved a 23-day special permit for the event.
The commission approved the special event permit allowing Winter Wonderland to run from Nov. 30 through Dec. 22. During Winter Wonderland, Wekiva Island will be open until 9:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursdays and during its regular hours on Friday and Saturday, until 11 p.m.
In October, the Seminole County Commission approved Wekiva Island's request to increase its capacity from 260 to 395, according to the Seminole County Developer's Commitment Agreement with Wekiva Island owners. The maximum number of vehicles parked on-site was limited to 271.
On Tuesday, the County Commission will review the plan for enforcing the approved 395-person capacity limits on Wekiva Island for the special event. That meeting begins at 1:30 p.m. and will be open to the public.
According to the developer's commitment agreement with the county, the venue will track capacity with digital counters, hand clickers or other automated means.
Wekiva Island co-owner Mary Sue Weinaug said they've always monitored capacity at the venue.
Besides the change in permitted visitors, the island also plans to bring back the Without A Paddle Cafe and add an art gallery on the second floor of the Tooting Otter Craft Beer, Wine and General Store, which will open in spring 2019.