Blue Bamboo wins zoning change for old library
The City Commission also approved new hours for Sunday alcohol sales and endorsed a sales tax renewal for public schools
Aug. 15, 2024
By Beth Kassab
Blue Bamboo Center for the Arts is another step closer to turning the old library into a performance venue after City Commissioners voted 3-1 to approve a zoning change for the property.
Mayor Sheila DeCiccio voted against the measure after questioning the fairness of a special carve out in the zoning code solely for city-owned properties.
“I am uncomfortable with this change just for city,” DeCiccio said. “I know I’m in the minority on that.”
While the high profile building on the corner of New England and Aloma avenues was used as a library for decades until 2021, the property was technically zoned for multi-family residences.
The move recommended by the Planning & Zoning board and now approved by the commision, changes the land to PQP, or “public, quasi-public.” An additional change also altered the definition of PQP to include “performance art venues together with ancillary gallery, educational, rehearsal, recording studios and offices to support the like, within a city- owned building.”
Commissioners Marty Sullivan, Craig Russell and Kris Cruzada voted in favor. Commissioner Todd Weaver was absent. No one from the public spoke on the issue.
If the lease between the city and Blue Bamboo to use the property is terminated, the land would revert back to R-4 zoning.
New Sunday alcohol sales
The commission also finalized new rules to allow earlier sales of beer, wine and cocktails on Sundays beginning at 7 a.m.
Those sales had been prohibited until 11 a.m. on Sundays until complaints from grocery managers who hear from inconvenienced residents brought the matter to the commission.
Two hearings and votes are required for the change and the second vote was the same as the first with Russell the only no vote.
He said he wanted to clarify his comments from the first vote last month when he said, “I have a belief that Sunday is a day of rest. I say leave it alone … I wouldn’t look to compromise my principles on agreeing to something like this.”
During the second vote he said, “People are under the impression that I had some kind of religious motivation.”
He said he did not take exception to the change on a religious basis, but because he did not believe people are inconvenienced by the Sunday hours and because not all residents drink responsibly. Russell, a teacher and coach at Winter Park High School, said he has witnessed students attend school or events drunk and has referred them for discipline.
“What does that tell to our kids and family about how we conduct ourselves?” he asked. “So if we have limitations to make the city a little safer then … It’s not me imposing my moral code.”
School sales tax wins city endorsement
Orange County Public Schools is asking voters in November to renew the half-cent sales that goes toward school construction and maintenance.
Last week, Commissioners agreed to write a letter urging residents to support the tax after a presentation by schools Chief Communications Officer Scott Howat.
“We get zero dollars from the state for construction and maintenance,” he said, noting that visitors and tourists pay about half the sales tax in the county.
He said the district, which now has about 208,000 students, has built more than 60 schools and eliminated 3,000 portables since voters first approved the tax in 2002 and renewed it once before in 2014.
He estimated some 75 schools will be at least 25 years old by 2035, including Winter Park’s Lakemont Elementary. That milestone, he said, is an indicator of when schools will require construction dollars.
Russell said he viewed the tax as an investment in overall education, not just buildings.
“The learning environment is so impactful to students,” he said. “It’s money toward learning. Period.”
Cruzada disagreed and said he did not endorse a letter the city plans to send in support of the tax.
“I just don’t feel it would be prudent especially considering a lot of what’s going on in the economy right now with increasing costs,” he said, suggesting that an increased ad valorem tax rate for the school board or finding another source for the funds would be better.
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Wow, I learn something new everyday, like high school students come to school on Sundays drunk and prohibiting alcohol sales by several hours on Sundays will prevent families from drinking irresponsibly. Please let me know if I misinterpreted anything.
Wildman, scratching my head over that one too😆
Just stop drinking alcohol, then this wouldn’t be an issue.
As a lifelong educator, I place tremendous value on quality public schools. I have always supported all taxes that provide for the betterment of schools, be it for building maintenance, upgrades, new construction, safety measures – whatever is needed. However, I’ve begun to question some OCPS spending priorities as of the past decade or so. What I believe has always been needed, but now more than ever, is support for TEACHERS. By support, I mean competitive, fair salaries, commensurate with other professions. With that, the county would be able to retain dedicated people in the classroom. Without them, the fancy new buildings are simply babysitting centers, with random substitute personnel cycling in and out.
Side note: I’m curious as to how much the new electronic marquees outside the schools (such as Lakemont) cost. Why are they necessary? What was wrong with the old style, the ones where children got to actually help change the message by hand (and lose their minds with joy and excitement in doing so)?
Uggghhhh… thanks for reminding me, I’ve got a big job ahead of me to dig in and learn how this tax revenue will really be spent.
I agree teachers should be paid more. The legislature does not adequately fund public schools.
The half cent sales tax is restricted by state statute to capital expenditures and cannot be used for operating costs like salaries.
I’m glad the Commission voted to support continuing the current half cent sales tax. It has allowed Orange County to have newer, more well maintained and less crowded schools than many other districts without incurring any debt.
I will be voting no on the renewal of the sales tax. Money to county administrators and commissioners is like crack to a junkie. Poof. Gone in an instant with nothing to show for it. Repurpose the county school administration building as housing for the homeless veteran population and reduce the administrative bureaucratic state. Then, we can talk. At the same time, allocate a good portion of the TDT tax tsunami to cover the cost of school maintenance and construction. Winter Park’s population has not changed because it cannot grow any further. We pay enough taxes and then some. And at the same time, we ask the county to give us money in the form of the CRA expansion and extension. Robbing Peter to pay Paul. A shell game if ever there was one. Just stop.
I’m from the government and I am here to help you as a wise steward of your tax dollars- said no one. Ever. Why would we need to know how the city commissioners “feel” about this tax issue? Education spending is not within their purview by any stretch. $750 K for restrooms in the West Meadow? Remember when it was only $450 K? Maybe we can hold some public school classes in the pavilion, when the homeless are not in residence. Restrooms are located all over the place including the Chamber building (which residents own), Farmers Market and train depot. Goodbye park land. Hello hardscape! Welcome to central park.
Taxes for schools should be raised through property taxes, not sales taxes. A sales tax burdens low- and middle-income people more than high-income people because a larger proportion of a low income is spent on the bare necessities of life. So low-income people who do not own property end up subsidizing property owners by keeping their school property taxes lower. This also has the effect of obscuring what the school district is spending.
Kathy,
Can you please explain why the funding source (sales tax vs. prop tax) “has the effect of obscuring what the school district is spending.”? Thx.
Our Commissioners are overstepping their power. Residents did not ask for a new tax. Winter Park Residents will vote on this. Mayor & Commissioners should remember what they were hired to do. This HOA – Mayor & Commissioners are Out Of Control!