WINTER GARDEN, Fla. — The Winter Garden City Commission moved to approve an ordinance Thursday that would regulate soliciting and peddling in the city. It’s a move that would allow the city to crack down on the number of solicitors on its sidewalks and right of ways.
What You Need To Know
Under the proposal, solicitiors would not be allowed on public right-of-ways, like sidewalks and streets
Any homeowners or businesses could register with the Winter Garden Police Department to have their addresses added to the no-solicitation list
The changes would go into effect immediately
The city of Winter Garden cited improving the safety and welfare of people in the community as the driving force for the changes
Now, the city of Winter Garden will have a do-not-solicit list, and the idea is already being met with praise from homeowners and business owners.
The city of Winter Garden is a growing and bustling city, and it’s a place where people like Eddie Gaunt say you can’t help but fall in love with..
“We were like, ‘This is a place we can plant roots.’ It’s just got a hometown feel,” Guant said.
Gaunt said he and his wife moved to Winter Garden three years ago and shortly after decided to purchase his business, Matthew’s Steakhouse. It’s a place where he prides himself on supporting local, but what he’s not proud of is how some for-profit and non-profit businesses have increased their soliciting.
“It has become a nuisance, and you know I understand the city’s position as a business owner, but especially if I was down there closer to the farmer’s market it would be very frustrating,” he said.
That’s a sentiment echoed by Winter Garden city commissioners, who discussed the second hearing of an ordinance that would regulate this type of soliciting..
This includes the definition of a solicitor as anyone asking for cash or charitable donations but does not include panhandlers or political and religious canvassing..
“I do know as District 1 commissioner, I’ve had a lot of complaints from people downtown trying to eat. Especially in the outdoor areas and having people come up and they can’t enjoy their evening,” District 1 City Commissioner Lisa Bennett said.
The ordinance, which the commission approved unanimously, makes changes to the guidelines for requiring a permit.
Applicants have to be 18 or older and must be the solicitor. It prohibits solicitation on public right of ways, and people cannot solicit at any homes or businesses on the no solicitation list.
And this is a list that any homeowner or business owner can register with through the Winter Garden Police Department, changes that Gaunt feels are necessary.
“I am for having to go through proper channels. I mean, when I bought this business, I had to go through the proper channels,” Gaunt said.
Those who are granted a soliciting permit will receive the non-soliciting list from the Winter Garden Police Department.
The ordinance goes into effect immediately, and the city hopes it will improve the safety and welfare of people in the community.