 July 19, 2015
Winter Parkers Respond to Mayor’s Thank You Survey
Read the Results Here
Remember about two weeks after the March 10 election? Newly elected Mayor Steven Leary sent a questionnaire out to some Winter Park residents asking for their opinions about the City. At that time, the Voice published an open letter to Mayor Leary, asking questions that many of you had posed to . . . Read More >>
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 June 13, 2015
DPAC Donations Rankles
It’s Coming Around Again
As Budget Season approaches, the specter of nine more annual $100,000 contributions to Orlando’s Dr. Philips Performing Arts Center (DPAC) remains a bone of contention among Winter Parkers. At the June 9 Utilities Advisory Board (UAB) meeting, a group of citizens voiced their opposition to using
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 June 8, 2015
P&Z Thwarts West Side Zoning Change
Approves Comp Plan Change for Lakeside Crossing
On June 2, Unicorp’s request to the Planning & Zoning (P&Z) Board for a Comprehensive Plan change, unlike many of their previous efforts, sailed through. Unicorp was requesting permission to add 75 parking spaces at the Lakeside Crossing project on the site of the former Mt. Vernon Inn. The additional spaces will change
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 May 22, 2015
Hp Ordinance-Path to Preservation or Slippery Slope?
WP Residents Duke it Out on Facebook
For more than a year, the Historic Preservation Board (HPB) has worked to craft an Historic Preservation Ordinance that would be a big step on the city’s path to becoming a “Certified Local Government” (CLG). CLG status would qualify the City for
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 May 8, 2015
Do we need a new library?
If so, where shall we put it?
Next month, the Library Task Force, which has been in existence since June 2014, will present their findings to the Commission and leave it to the City and its citizens to determine the answer to these questions. The Library Task Force will . . .
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 April 25, 2015
Bank on Fast-Track to Develop WP Gateway:
Fifth Third Coming Soon to Aloma/Lakemont
In a move that has some asking, “What’s the rush? on April 7 the Planning & Zoning Board unaimously approved Fifth Third Bank’s application to develop the northwest corner of Aloma and Lakemont– without having . . .
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April 12, 2015
OpenLetter to Steven Leary:
Please Answer a Few Questions About the “2015 Citizens Survey”
Nearly two weeks after the March 10 election, your mailer entitled “2015 Citizens Survey” went to selected Winter Park households. Some received the survey electronically, others received theirs in the mail. Some did not receive the survey . . .
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 March 17, 2015
North – South Corridor Development
Further Update and Clarification
The Voice received queries, both from readers and from the City, regarding the Transit Oriented Density Update published March 9. The report is a snapsot of this place at this time. The data gather includes the norht-south corridor along 17-92 and . . .
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 March 13, 2015
Congratulations Mayor Leary, Commissioner Seidel
With Gratitude to Cynthia Mackinnon and Gary Brewer
It’s over. The yard signs are nearly all gone, most of the flyers clogging the mailboxes are once again from Publix. Life is returning to Normal. This long, hard-fought race brought out more the 6,700 voters — a respectable . . .
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 February 26, 2015
Library Host Two Debates
Candidates for Mayor, Commission Meet Separately
Separate debates between mayoral candidates and candidates for city commision revealed a stark contrast in the tenor and conduct of the two races . . .
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 February 24, 2015
Red or Blue?
Does Party Politics Violate the Spirit of City Charter?
National political parties, both Democrats and Republicans, have inserted themselves into Winter Park’s local race this year, and it’s to no one’s advantage . . . unless of course you are the candidate who is affiliated with the national party that is . . .
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 February 18, 2015
How to Request an Absentee Ballot
Deadline: Wednesday, March 4, 5:00 p.m.
Are you one of the many Winter Park voters who is accustomed to voting by absentee ballot, who hasn’t received a ballot this year, and are wondering where it is? Laws governing the way we vote have changed . . .
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 February 16, 2015
Winter Park Condidates Square Off
View Complete Video of University Club, Chamber Debates Here
If turnout at the past two candidate debates is any indication, the current election cycle seems to have sparked unprecedented interest amoung Winter Park voters . . .
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 February 12, 2015
Lee Road Site Gets a Makeover
Breast Reduction for Winter Park
At 11:30 on the morning of February 11, a big yellow crane flattened the iconic breast-shaped roofs of the building at 2600 Lee Road formely known as the Booby Trap. In a unanimous vote December 8, 2014 the Commission . . .
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 January 29, 2015
WP Voice Hosts Candidate Forum
Mark the Date: TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 10
Winter Park is in the enviable position of having four qualified, capable candidates for Mayor and Commissioner. The Winter Park Voice will host a candidate forum at the University Club of Winter Park on February 10, . . .
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 January 26, 2015
Meet the Candidates
Click on Links to See Full Bios and Platforms
To see full candidate profiles, interviews, filings, positions on various issues and other stories as they are published, click on the “Election 2015” button in the upper right portion of your screen when you are viewing . . .
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 January 11, 2015
Join the WP Voice Facebook Group
Public Group for Winter Park Readers
The Winter Park Voice joins the world of facebook with the introduction of the new group. The page is now live, so you can join it with your facebook account to read and make posts. This is a public group with minimal . . .
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 January 7, 2015
Four Candidates = No Primary
Shambeck Withdraws from Commission Race
After some to-ing and fro-ing, Winter Park has finally settled into the 2015 election cycle. The period during which candidates could qualify to run ended yesterday at noon. City Communications Director Clarissa Howard confirmed that two candidates, Steven Leary and Cynthia Mackinnon . . .
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 December 22, 2014
Greg Seidel to Run for Commission
Commission Race Now Goes to Feb. 10 Primary
Gregory. S. Sediel, Vice President of the Balmoral Group, a Winter Park-based civil engineering firm, has announced his intention to seek election to Winter Park Commission Seat #1, which is being vacated by mayoral candidate Steven Leary . . .
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 December 22, 2014
Leary Resigns to Run for Mayor
Generous Donors for the Holidays
On December 17, Steven J. Leary announced his resignation from the Winter Park City Commission, effective March 15,2015, which he was required to do to launch his mayoral campaign. Leary will continue to serve as Commissioner, Seat #1, untill March 15th. If he is elected, . . .
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 December 9, 2014
P&Z Nixes Assisted Living Facility
Building Too Big for the Pumpkin Patch
On December 2, the Planning & Zoning Board met before a standing-room-only crowd of St. John’s Lutheran Church parishioners and other Winter Park neighbors to hear the application of Sentio Investments LLC to build a 73,000 square foot Assissted . . .
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 December 6, 2014
Kenneth F. Murrah
January 19, 1933 – December 5, 2014
Leadership and service marked a life of accomplishment for Kenneth F. Murrah, who succumbed to prostate cancer on December 5, 2014. Kenneth was the quintessential Southern gentleman, with a distinctive accent formed during his youth in Chipley . . .
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 November 21, 2014
Change in Development Rule Likely. Downtown Core and Wetlands at Risk.
Comes now a tale, wonky and dry as a bone, about a seemingly simple piece of bureaucracy that could forever alter the face of Winter Park. You may want to wade through these words to find out how Monday’s vote could affect the city. City commissioners appear poised . . .
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 November 19, 2014
WP Election Slate Keeps Growing. Commercial Realtor to Oppose Brewer for Commission Seat #1.
Winter Park’s election may be four months away, but community interest in the two open seats is heating up. Four eager candidates already have filed to run – more than a month before the official qualifying period even begins. In the latest filing, Willow Shambeck . . .
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 October 28, 2014
WP Political Season Heats Up. Former Mayor to Run for Leary’s Commission Seat.
Gary Brewer, who served as Winter Park commissioner and mayor during the 1980s and 90s, told the Voice today he intends to run again for the WP Commission. Brewer said he plans to file next week for the seat being vacated by Steve Leary, who this week announced his run for . . .
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 October 27, 2014
Leary to Run for WP Mayor. Leary Must Resign His Seat — Voters Will Elect New Commissioner.
One week after Mayor Ken Bradley announced he would not seek a third term, city Commissioner Steven Leary filed his intention Monday to be Winter Park’s next mayor. Leary, the mayor’s strongest ally on the board, will have at least one other challenger. Cynthia Mackinnon. . . .
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 October 21, 2014
17-92 “Transit Oriented Development” on Collision Course with I-4 Construction. T.O.D. Booster Mayor Ken Bradley Will Not Seek Third Term.
A Winter Park icon, the Mt. Vernon Inn, will close its doors forever on November 1. Long beloved by locals as a place to gather in the morning for breakfast or in the evening for drinks, the Red Fox Lounge will be replaced . . .
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 October 10, 2014
Westsiders Win Fight for Low-Density. Developer Abandons High-Density Plan — Offers Single Family Homes Instead.
With pluck, persistence and, sometimes, sheer perversity, Hannibal Square residents have preserved the single-family-detached home zoning protection promised to their neighborhood in the city’s Comprehensive Plan . . .
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 September 28, 2014
News Alert–Bowling Alley Slides Into Gutter on a 3-3 Split
The Voice reported on September 19 that the Community Redevelopment Advisory Board and the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board narrowly approved the purchase of the Fairbanks Avenue Bowling Alley at 1111 Fairbanks Avenue. On September 22, however . . .
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 September 19, 2014
News Alert–Will City Strike a Fair Deal to Buy Bowling Alley? Some Say It’s a High Price to Pay.
September 18, 2014 – High Noon. City Manager Randy Knight called a joint meeting of the Community Redevelopment (CRA) Advisory Board and the Parks & Recreation Board to discuss the purchase of the Fairbanks Avenue Bowling Alley at 1111 W. Fairbanks Ave . . .
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 September 6, 2014
News Alert–Comp Plan Amendment Fails; City Takes Up FY 2015 Budget. Considers Funding Regional Arts Center.
In an abrupt turnaround, the city commission acquiesced to city staff recommendations and citizen sentiment and voted unanimously to quash the proposed amendment to the Winter Park Comp Plan . . .
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 September 3, 2014
News Alert–Yes, You Can Fight City Hall. P&Z Turns Down Request for Hannibal Square UP-Zoning.
A phenomenon occurred on the night of September 2 as a standing-room-only crowd of Winter Park citizens packed the Commission Chambers for a Planning and Zoning (P&Z) Board meeting. The residents spoke; the Planning & Zoning Board members heard them . . .
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 August 5, 2014
WPV Feature–Citizen PACs Give Winter Parkers Stronger Voice at City Hall. Mayor Bradley Pushes Back Against Baseball Petitioners & “No Density” Advocates.
Even in the dog days of summer, Winter Park citizens are making a lot of noise, and the city is beginning to hear them. While one Political Action Committee . . .
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 July 27, 2014
News Alert–THE ROAD TO GRIDLOCK: City Revokes BC Clinic Building Permit. Deal for Lakeside Blue Cross Clinic Parking Falls Through.
City staff confirmed that they have revoked the amended conditional use permit for the Blue Cross clinic that is under construction at the Lakeside Development on 17-92, which also houses Trader Joe’s . . .
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 June 27, 2014
News Alert–BASEBALL SHOCKER: City Says Harper-Shepherd Stadium Deal Dead. Did Pressure from WP Citizens Make the Difference?
The number of potential sites for minor league baseball has just gone from four to two. The city announced late this afternoon that Rollins College Harper-Shepherd Field is no longer in play. Martin Luther King, Jr., Park . . .
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 June 25, 2014
Comp Plan Uproar: Citizens Challenge City Density Plan. Are Commissioners Losing Touch with City Residents?
On a rainy June night, after a long and sometimes acrimonious meeting, the Winter Park Commission voted three to two in favor of a sweeping amendment to Chapter 58 of the Comprehensive Land Use Plan that would open . . .
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 June 9, 2014
News Alert–City Schedules Vote to Encourage Developers to Build Bigger Buildings. Density-Related Traffic Congestion Not on City Agenda.
Later today, City Commissioners will decide whether developers need more opportunities to build bigger buildings along the City’s four-lane roads and PD (Planned Development) zones. In anticipation of today’s vote . . .
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 May 27, 2014
Is City Hall Favoring Developers Over Its Own Citizens? Denning-Area Neighbors Question City Priorities.
One evening in early April, residents of Winter Park’s Westside showed up in force at City Hall. In a strong showing of neighborhood solidarity. . . .
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 May 15, 2014
Cut-Thru Update: City Votes Yes Despite Strong Citizen Opposition. Plea for More Study Rejected.
At last Monday’s Commission hearing on the extension of Lee Road to Webster Avenue, Winter Park’s Commissioners voted 4 to 1 in favor of the resolution supporting the Lee Road cut-through – a result that drew “boos” from the packed Commission chamber. Commissioner Carolyn Cooper cast the only “No” vote. . . .
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 April 28, 2014
News Alert–It’s Workshop Week: City Holds 3 Special Hearings/Workshops Reviewing Lee Rd. Cut-Thru & Denning/17-92 Development Over Next 7 Days.
This morning, the Voice obtained the City Traffic Consultant report analyzing the proposed extension of Lee Rd. to Denning. As shown in the illustration above, there are three alternatives currently being considered . . .
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 April 21, 2014
Inside Baseball: Winter Park’s Heavy Hitters Negotiate a Stadium and Spoils of the Game. While Manatees, Rollins College & Developers Pursue Stadium-Related Revenues & Gov’t Subsidies, Citizens’ Group Petitions to Keep the Stadium Out of MLK Park.
A little more than a year ago Rollins College and (presumably) other baseball principals invoked a Florida statute that kept Winter Parkers in the dark . . .
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 April 3, 2014
Lee Road “Punch-Through” Travels a Long and Winding Road
In response to citizens’ questions about the planned extension of Lee Road through to Denning Avenue, the Mayor, Commissioners and City Manager maintain that the decision is “out of their hands” and will be decided by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). The Lee Road . . .
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 March 11, 2014
Commissioner Sprinkel Re-Elected
Tonight’s Vote Count: Sprinkel 2,549, Womble 1,571.
Winter Park City Clerk Cindy Bonham reminds citizens that these are “unofficial” results — adding that “Any provisional ballots that cannot be handled the night of the election will be made part of the official results at the time of certifying on Thursday, March 13.” Click for side-by-side comparison of the candidates . . .
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March 8, 2014
News Alert–From Budgets to Baseball: Candidates’ Debate Covers It All in 60 minutes
Despite the dreary weather and with less than a week to go before next Tuesday’s decision on who will occupy Commission Seat #2, concerned Winter Park citizens filled the Public Library community room on Thursday to hear candidates Sarah Sprinkel and Sandy Womble hammer . . .
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 February 17, 2014
Will Winter Park Play Ball?
Possible Stadium Deal Has Potential to Fast-Forward Development of NW Winter Park – including Lee Rd. “Punch-Thru” to Denning Dr.
Minor League Baseball, in the form of the Brevard County Manatees, is being batted around the City Commission Chambers once again. On January 21, the Economic Development Advisory Board (EDAB) joined Mayor . . .
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 January 16, 2014
City Welcomes “Grass Roots” Ordinance Reform–Sometimes.
A Closer Look at Two Ordinances Reveals That City’s Embrace of Citizen Activism Depends on Ordinance & Which Citizens Are Doing the Reforming.
The City’s apparent reluctance to fully partner with citizen advocates for stronger historic preservation – including the Commission’s unwillingness . . .
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 January 14, 2014
News Alert–Baseball Stadium Plans Still Being Considered in Winter Park.
Commission Stays in the Game. Rollins Benched?
On Monday night, the City Commission voted unanimously to give City staff 45 days to study potential sites for a new stadium and determine whether minor league baseball could be good for Winter Park. The stadium has been under consideration for over a year now, but many details . . .
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 January 7, 2014
News Alert–Sprinkel Draws Opponent in Commission Race. Leary Wins New Term — Unopposed.
Earlier today – as of the noon deadline for filing candidate qualifying papers – Commissioner Sarah Sprinkel learned for sure that she will face Sandy Womble in a race for City Commission seat 2 . . . Commissioner Steve Leary automatically qualifies for a second term by virtue of his unopposed status . . .
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 December 30, 2013
Did City Risk Breaking Law to Keep Report from Press?
Consultant Says WP Historic Preservation Has “Serious & Fundamental” Problems. Report May Not Be Welcome at Commission.
As 2013 comes to a close, a quick review of Winter Park City Hall news stories reveals that there are several key issues that Winter Parkers seem destined to struggle with. Historic preservation, Park Avenue restaurant zoning . . .
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 November 19, 2013
Bradley/Leary Bid to Pave Meadow Parkland Fails 3 to 2.
3 Commissioners Unswayed by Appeals from Merchants & Chamber Theatrics.
In last week’s City Commission meeting, Mayor Bradley opened the hearing on downtown parking expansion by noting that three Commissioners had requested a review of City parking policy.
It appears that those three . . .
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 November 11, 2013
Citizen Protest Puts West Meadow Parking Lot “On Hold”.
City Residents Dispute Parking Plan Rationale & Parking Survey Analysis.
On November 2nd, at about 8:00 am, Vicki Krueger received an early-morning visit from her neighbor. “I was about to go to the Farmers’ Market when a neighbor knocked on my door. She informed me . . .
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 October 26, 2013
New Lawyer In Capen Case Sues Pokorny LLC, Too.
Humpty Dumpty Lawsuit Asks Homeowners to Put Capen Back Together Again.
Not long after the original lawsuit was filed by attorney Howard Marks on October 3, something happened – or, more accurately – didn’t happen: The City was never served with the lawsuit. As noted in the Circuit Court . . .
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 September 24, 2013
Commissioners Vote to Open Central Park to Dog Events.
Request by “Doggie Door” Owner for Pet Costume Event Triggers Changes.
In yesterday’s hearing, the Commission moved quickly to expand use of city parks by dogs and their owners. The final vote was 4 to 1 in favor of the changes. Commissioner Cooper cast the only “No” vote. Two weeks ago . . .
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 September 12, 2013
Capen Fundraising Countdown: Big $ Needed in 30 Days.
Demolition Clock Still Ticking. Rally in Central Park Set for Saturday.
In its glory days, Capen House was a gathering place for Winter Park’s founders. But now, after surviving the financial collapse of its prior owner and the predation of a foreclosing bank, historic Capen House will live or die . . .
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 August 28, 2013
WP Comp Plan/Codes “Impediments to Economic Development?”
Part 2 / Gottfried: Be Careful. . . Residents know there’s “a lot of construction going on.”
In the first half of the joint EDAB/P&Z workshop held on August 15, WRT consultant, Silvia Vargas, explained her study of Winter Park’s Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Code — and the numerous changes . . .
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 August 13, 2013
CNL’s Ask for Free City Land for Parking Garage is “D.O.A.”
Commission: Who’s Doing Who a Favor Here?
Monday’s City Commission hearing did not go well for CNL. A fundamental disagreement between CNL and the City Commission was whether the City should expect some compensation in return for allowing CNL to build a large parking structure on the City’s Civic Center parking lot . . .
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 August 10, 2013
Proposed Park Ave. Restaurant Zoning Bans Fast Food.
Chamber Task Force Asks City to Ban Fast Food Chains & Limit Others.
On Tuesday, August 6, Winter Park’s Planning and Zoning board sent a significantly reworked restaurant zoning proposal on to the City Commission.The board voted unanimously to support the proposal that was put together by an informal Task Force comprised of Chamber . . .
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 July 15, 2013
Historic Preservation: Are We Getting Serious?
Hearings Begin. Lawsuit Threatened. New Home for Capen House – Maybe.
On Friday, the Sentinel broke the news that the Capen House will be cut into two pieces and floated across Lake Osceola to the grounds of the Polasek Museum – if Winter Parkers are willing to pony up $650,000. It’ll have to be a fast pony, too. In an interview with the Voice, Debbie Komanski . . .
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 June 28, 2013
Commissioners & Preservationists Make Nice.
Task Force and/or City Boards to Study Preservation Solutions.
At last Monday’s City Commission meeting it was clear that the key players in the Winter Park’s historic preservation drama had decided to moderate the tone of the debate. Mayor Bradley singled out Casa Feliz as a “wonderful example of private preservation” and complimented . . .
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 May 19, 2013
Proposed Fine Dining Ordinance “Dangerous & Hypocritical”? Ordinance Tabled (Again).
Last Monday’s Commission discussion of fast food and fine dining standards generated plenty of dire predictions and hypotheticals, but no ultimate resolution. In an effort to keep fast food restaurants from overrunning Park Avenue, the Commission ran over the City’s proposed ordinance time and again trying to make sense of it. After a long, exhaustive . . .
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 April 18, 2013
Mica on P.O./Central Park Deal: Last Time, “All Hell Broke Loose.” This Time, Citizens Must Be United.
On Monday, April 15, during a commission-sponsored work session, Congressman John Mica shared his views on how the city might finally convince the US Postal Service (USPS) to move the Winter Park Post Office farther north on New York Avenue – thereby freeing up land that could be used to expand Central Park. The USPS has, so far, shown no interest . . .
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 April 8, 2013
Ravaudage CDD Final Vote Set for Monday.
Revenue-Sharing Dead For Now. Can Developer Succeed Without It?
This afternoon, after a long discussion of the property rights of landowners and businesses that reside within the Ravaudage development, the City Commission voted unanimously to approve the Ravaudage CDD . . . Commissioners who question granting such broad powers . . .
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 March 4, 2013
Commission Heeds the Will of the (Tennis) People.
Votes to Keep Tennis Ctr. Vendor. Will City Negotiate More $$ This Time?
Last Monday, the City Commission chamber filled up fast with supporters of the current management at Winter Park’s Azalea Lane Tennis Center. In the three years High Performance Sports Management has run the Tennis Center, HPSM president Angie Zguna has made a lot of friends . . .
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 February 11, 2013
Auditor Quits. Cites City “Appearance” Concerns.
Britz-Parker: I maintained “highest standards for independence.”
City Auditor Bernadette Britz-Parker has withdrawn from her position with the city and will be replaced by another member of her firm, James Halleran. In a letter sent to the city and obtained by the Voice today, Ms. Britz-Parker states that she has maintained the . . .
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 January 24, 2013
It’s Over. Disqualified Candidate Withdraws. Ross Johnston Cancels Lawsuit Against City.
In an email received by the Voice late this afternoon, Commissioner Steve Leary took issue with our characterization of him as a “key supporter” of Ross Johnston’s candidacy. Today’s email is Mr. Leary’s first contact with the Voice regarding the Johnston story — a response to the Voice’s “Request for Comment” sent to Mr. Leary prior to . . .
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 January 9, 2013
City Commission Election Canceled?!
Last-Minute Cooper Challenger Disqualified. Decision to be Appealed
Time ran out on yesterday for would-be candidates planning to run against Commissioners Cooper or McMacken. Cooper and McMacken – holders of Commission seats 3 and 4 respectively – are up for re-election in March of 2013. Prior to Tuesday, neither Commissioner had any opposition . . .
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 December 10, 2012
Leary & McMacken: Lead Players in Park Avenue Zoning Drama
Think of the Park Avenue story as a much-loved play that never closes. The show goes on year-after-year running through directors, cast and crew who strive to keep the play fresh — and producers who struggle to keep investors happy. When times get tough, producers may replace the star or maybe just repaint the lobby. Sometimes they drop ticket prices . . .
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 November 26, 2012
YMCA Showdown — Phelps Park Neighbors Fight to Keep Y Corralled
Is the Winter Park YMCA a neighborhood center — hoping to expand so they can offer enhanced services to local families? Or, are they an ever-expanding fitness empire intent on pumping up their regional membership revenues — regardless of the impact on their neighbors? Proponents of both points of view faced-off at the Winter Park Planning and Zoning hearing . . .
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 November 12, 2012
City Tree Preservation Board Jumps the Gun
Several weeks ago, in the thick of election season, Winter Park’s Tree Preservation Board delivered its own October Surprise. The board had proposed significant changes to the city’s Tree Preservation Ordinance earlier this year, and had been waiting for months – through hearings, workshops and citizen testimony — for the changes to be finally approved. But then, in early October something happened . . .
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 October 29, 2012
Anti-Protest Ordinance Triggers Lawsuit
On October 16, three local pro-life activists, Winnifred Bell, Allura Lightfoot and Deanna Waller filed suit in federal court to overturn Winter Park’s recently adopted anti-protest ordinance. Judge Roy Dalton, Jr. denied the plaintiffs’ Motion for a Temporary Restraining Order, but will consider granting a Preliminary Injunction to stop enforcement of the ordinance pending a final judgment in the case . . . Read More >>
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 October 16, 2012
City Officials On the Spot in Workshop Q&A
On Tuesday night, October 9, City Manager Randy Knight hosted a well-attended workshop whose purpose was to explore proposed changes to Winter Park’s Tree Preservation Ordinance. Even though the lead-up to the workshop caused some heartburn on the City Commission, citizens at Tuesday’s workshop took full advantage of the opportunity to speak their minds . . .
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 September 24, 2012
Strangers at the Door: Anatomy of a Protest
One day in mid-August, Jenna Tosh, President of Planned Parenthood/Orlando, found a disturbing flyer sitting unstamped in her mailbox. Hers was one of many, left by protest supporters who had moved through the neighborhood quietly distributing the flyers. The message was clear. They wanted Jenna and her neighbors to know — We’re Coming . . .
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 September 19, 2012
Commission Yields to Citizen Concerns:
Schedules Tree Preservation Workshop
At their September 10 meeting, City Commissioners agreed to put off a vote on Tree Preservation Ordinance changes until a citizen workshop could be convened. The panel acknowledged receiving critical letters from citizens concerned about the proposed changes. The discussion opened old fault lines . . . Read More >>
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 September 10, 2012
Hagle: Fate of 100 Year Old Trees Worth Debating
In an open letter to city officials and citizens of Winter Park, Marc Hagle sheds light on the original Tree Preservation Ordinance he helped write as chairman of the committee charged with creating the ordinance. Mr. Hagle explains the costs and benefits that underlie the current ordinance and urges a a more robust, citizen-involved debate before the ordinance is changed . . . Read More >>
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 August 27, 2012
Tree Removal Proposal: Lower Fees = More Trees?
By unanimous vote, Winter Park’s Tree Preservation Board recently approved a recommendation to modify the city’s Tree Preservation and Protection Ordinance.
The recommendation had been scheduled to go before the City Commission on August 27 for a first reading, but was . . .
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 August 17, 2012
Trees and Power: Undergrounding Coming Soon
Will your neighborhood power lines be safely buried underground before next year’s hurricane season? After months of study, city engineers have the answer.
On August 13, Electric Department Director Jerry Warren released the results of a months-long study of Winter Park’s tree . . . Read More >> |
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 July 20, 2012
Will Park Ave Zoning Change Plan Be Revived?
The city’s Economic Development Advisory Board (EDAB) is looking to inject a bit of life into the semi-deserted Park Avenue block just south of City Hall — by adding businesses that used to have a hard time getting approved for the avenue.
A recent P&Z staff report supported the EDAB . . .
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 July 20, 2012
Trees & Power: The Good. The Bad. The Necessary?
City officials will not soon forget the third week in April when half of Winter Park woke up in a bad mood. It was the week officials learned that photos of their deep v-cut trimming of the city’s much-loved oak canopy had gone viral.
Images of radically trimmed oaks on Winter Park Road and . . .
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