WINTER PARK, FL-In a rare bureaucratic decision, elected officials in this affluent Orlando suburb of 30,000 permanent residents overrode planning and zoning board members and approved the second phase of the controversial five-story Lofts of Winter Park Village.

Planning/zoning staffers previously rejected developer Eric Kovar's plan largely because of the parking problems already plaguing the four-year-old, mixed-use Winter Park Village development where the condos will be built. The Village has turned out to be one of Florida's most successful work-live-play, urban-style communities.

Planning/zoning staffers also fear the $30 million, 500,000-sf, 176-unit building and 950-space parking garage will exceed the 55-foot-high limit the city has on the books for all commercial/residential projects. But Kovar assured the city his project, when completed, will actually provide Winter Park Village visitors with at least 300 new parking spaces. He is allotting 233 spaces to condo residents.