Developer moves to resolve condo demolition dispute

Article Courtesy of  WESH-2 NEWS Orlando
By Dave McDaniel    

Published July 18, 2016

 

ORANGE COUNTY -- The battle between the owner of a vacation condo and an enormous resort got testy at the meeting of the Orange County Development Committee.

“I have no sympathy for Westgate, and I'm starting to have no sympathy for you," said John Smogor, of the Orange County Development Review.

During a meeting on Wednesday, the chairman sent both groups out of the room to hammer out a deal which might settle the feud.

The son of the condo owner, William Corredor, said he feels pushed around.

"Westgate knows that as long as they can continue with the project, they don't have to deal with us," Corredor said.

The attorney for Westgate Resorts, which wants to build 160 units in the spot where the Corredor condo still stands, said they’re trying to make a deal.

The son of the owner of the only condo still standing in the middle of a redevelopment by Westgate Resorts wants the county to stop the work, because they said their mom's place was damaged, and that the offer to buy her out was insufficient.

"They've been bullying us, and we've said that before, to get our property," Corredor said.

Westgate said it offered cash, a new place and a new location, and it hasn't worked.

The two sides returned to the meeting after 30 to 40 minutes to say they’re still talking, but there isn’t a deal yet.

"I don't want to say there's no hope ever, but there's progress to be made on this issue. We don't have a settlement as of today," Westgate lawyer David Lenox said.

"They have always believed that we have to sell to them, and that is not true. Private property is private property," Corredor said.

The review board rescinded its initial approval, then approved a redevelopment once new plans were submitted and approved.

It’s not clear if work on the project can continue or not. The county is researching that issue.

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