by Beth Kassab | Jan 5, 2024 | Uncategorized
Rollins seeks approval for new 300-bed dorm on campus
The project, which will be up to six stories, will provide more campus housing, potentially reducing the number of students renting in nearby neighborhoods
Jan. 5, 2023
By Beth Kassab
Rollins College will seek approval from the city on two key projects next week — a 300-bed dorm on campus and an off-campus housing complex for faculty and staff.
The new dormitory project, which will replace the 80-bed Holt Hall and a portion of the Tennis Center, will about 140,000-square feet and is intended to provide more opportunity for students to live on campus. Rollins will continue to have the same number of undergraduates.
The liberal arts college is “not growing,” Vice President of Communications Sam Stark told the Voice last month as the Planning & Zoning Board approved the project. Undergraduate enrollment will remain at about 2,200 with about 230 faculty and 500 staff.
The City Commission will consider the new residence hall on Wednesday with one recommended condition from staff: architectural improvements and landscaping to help camouflage a maintenance building visible from Fairbanks Avenue.
The project will also be taller than many buildings in Winter Park, though city staff is arguing that the slope of the land lessens that impact.
“The site slopes downward from Fairbanks Avenue to Lake Virginia,” reads a staff report. “The buildings closest to the street are 4-stories in height and, as the land slopes downward, that allows added floors to be added to the 5-6 story sections. The building height complies with the 55-foot height as measured from the wall height for the tallest 6-story portion of the two buildings on
the southern portion of the complex. The roof pitch desired adds 10 feet in height. The building could stay within the height limit if it was a flat roof, but they desire to maintain the same roof pitch and Mediterranean roof styling that is characteristic of the campus.”
On Tuesday, the day before the City Commission meeting, the Planning & Zoning Board will consider a second Rollins project: a three-story, 80,000-square-feet project with 48 units of faculty and staff housing.
The proposal for the corner of New England and Virginia Avenues is an attempt by the college to provide workforce housing close to campus. The project would also include a coffee shop and a book store.
Under provisions laid out in city documents, Rollins would agree to keep the units as “affordable/attainable” housing for faculty and staff for 30 years; be prohibited from using the units as student housing and would keep the property on the tax rolls.
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by Beth Kassab | Jan 5, 2024 | City Commission, News, Orange Avenue Overlay, Uncategorized, Zoning and Development
Winter Park tries to protect against abuse of state's Live Local Act
The city is taking a page from Tampa as it attempts to ensure projects provide affordable housing under state-mandated rules that are less stringent for developers
Jan. 4, 2024
By Beth Kassab
Last summer a new law took effect in Florida that appears designed to lure more developers to offer affordably-priced units as part of new projects.
But city and county leaders across the state are wary of the new rules known as the Live Local Act that take away local control over the projects — meaning the city would be forced to allow taller buildings or higher density than might typically be allowed under local regulations.
The Act overrides local zoning regulations for any housing project for which the developer declares a minimum of 40% of the units to be affordable, according to city documents.
Winter Park is just the latest local government to consider a set of provisions to try to guard against abuse of the act by attempting to ensure developers are truly providing affordable units.
The ordinance, which is based on one passed by the city of Tampa, will be considered for its second and final approval at Wednesday’s City Commission meeting.
In addition to clarifying some terms in the act, the proposed ordinance lays out an application and certification process to assure the developer continues to provide affordable units throughout the operation of the development.
“Otherwise, under the Act, one can declare that they are providing affordable housing but never demonstrate how they are doing such at any time during the initial approval process, during construction or operation for the 30 years required,” according to a memorandum from city staff. “There also are no penalties within the Act for non-compliance.”
Projects within the Orange Avenue Overlay District must also meet the applicable architectural requirements of the district and will be subject to review by Orange Avenue Overlay Appearance Review Advisory Board, according to the ordinance.
“The City may deny a project that receives a recommendation of denial or fails to meet the conditions of a recommendation for approval from the Orange Avenue Overlay Appearance Review Advisory Board,” according to the proposed rules.
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by Beth Kassab | Jan 5, 2024 | Uncategorized
As ban on gas-powered leaf blowers nears, city to offer rebate on electric blowers
The ban aimed at reducing noise and pollution was initially set to go into effect in 2020, but was delayed until July 2024
Jan. 4, 2024
By Beth Kassab
Residents looking to purchase an electric leaf blower to comply with a new ban on the loud, gas-powered variety will be eligible for a $50 rebate in the form a utility credit under a new program to be considered by the City Commission on Wednesday.
The ban, which will take effect in July, comes with fines ranging from $60 to $300 for violations.
“Remind your landscape company,” reads a city notice, “All internal combustion engine or motor leaf blowers will be prohibited within the city limits.”
The one-time rebate will show up as a credit on residents’ utility bills, according to the program rules. The rebate is only available to residents.
The Washington Post reported recently that cities across the country have put similar bans on gas leaf blowers into place such as Washington, D.C, Miami Beach and Evanston, Ill. California is set to begin enforcing a statewide ban on the sale of new gas-powered lawn equipment.
Electric equipment is healthier for humans and the environment because there are fewer toxic emissions and comes without the jarring buzzsaw-like grind of a gas engine.
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by Beth Kassab | Dec 16, 2023 | City Commission, News, Zoning and Development
Commission approves townhomes, Ravaudage incentives and smoking ban
Packed agenda at final meeting of the year yields policy and project decisions
Dec. 16, 2023
By Beth Kassab
City Commissioners approved a 53-unit project, now including 15 single-family homes and 38 townhomes, in west Winter Park near Winter Park Village.
The project, known as Winter Park Commons, underwent extensive revisions with single-family homes now along the perimeter after residents complained the multi-story complex did not meld with the rest of the neighborhood.
While some residents continued to express skepticism about the development planned for a former church property, Mayor Phil Anderson expressed gratitude for the residents’ participating, saying it “made a difference” and also thanked the developer for being willing to make changes.
Other policy decisions at the Dec. 13 meeting include:
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by Beth Kassab | Dec 15, 2023 | City Commission, Election, News, Uncategorized
Michael Cameron criticizes city spending and priorities
The first salvo in the mayor’s contest comes as the newcomer and challenger to Vice Mayor Sheila DeCiccio makes his first public comments about the race
Dec. 13, 2023
By Beth Kassab
The relatively unknown challenger in the mayor’s race attempted to separate himself from Vice Mayor Sheila DeCiccio this week by saying he “wants to bring back fiscal responsibility to Winter Park.”
Cameron, who is president of a real estate school and is a first-time candidate, said in a press release this week that he would have different priorities than the current City Commission, though some of his claims underscore his status as a newcomer to local government. Cameron declined to immediately answer questions about his statements in the release, though he did revise a statement that initially asserted DeCiccio is “depleting the city’s cash reserves” after questions from the Voice.
Michael Cameron
“My campaign is focused on more substantive issues, like making sure the city has a strong cash reserve on hand with low debt, making sure the city is fully prepared for a storm, or economic downturn, making sure our first responders, schools and educators have the resources they need to be successful,” he said. “Making sure this city remains a great place to raise a family, lowering our residents’ tax base, facilitating property value increases and supporting the Winter Park business community.”
The city’s cash reserves have steadily increased in recent years to a record $19.1 million or about 26% of recurring operating costs in the General Fund, according to city documents. The percent of operating costs represented by reserves has declined since 2021 from about 30%, the city’s stated goal, as inflation, labor costs and other pressures on expenses since the pandemic have increased along with the overall size of the city’s budget.
Winter Park shifted significant resources this year to storm preparedness, particularly in the wake of flooding caused by Hurricane Ian last year. DeCiccio has repeatedly sounded the alarm and called for urgency when it comes to studies now underway to help prioritize stormwater projects. Police and fire budgets reached new highs this year as well with first responders making up the biggest slice of the city’s General Fund.
It’s unclear what Cameron meant by resources for “schools and educators.” City governments don’t have any say over school budgets, which are approved by local school boards.
“My opponent’s focus has been on purchasing green spaces, as well as issues like bike paths and extending sidewalks, which in the grand scheme of things aren’t as important, as say, planning for a financial crunch or getting hit by another major storm or readying the city for any other 21st century needs,” he said.
The only greenspace the city has purchased in recent years is the Winter Park Pines Golf Course, which it issued bonds to finance. The operating revenue from golf sales is helping to pay off the debt.
Winter Park is about to begin construction on Seven Oaks Park, which is now projected to cost about $800,000 more than estimates from a few years ago, but the city already owned the land for the project.
Asked to respond to Cameron’s comments, DeCiccio noted that the city hasn’t raised taxes in 17 years. However, the City Commission this year passed a number of increased fees for residents such as the cost at recreation facilities and higher prices for garbage collection.
DeCiccio said improving bike paths and sidewalks is a safety and quality of life issue for families, particularly in Central Florida, which has repeatedly ranked among the most dangerous places in the nation for pedestrians.
“That is a safety issue for our children,” she said.
Cameron’s release said he was born in Winter Park and he and his wife are now raising their two young boys in the city. He touted an endorsement from Republican Jeremy Sisson, who works in real estate and unsuccessfully ran in 2020 against Democrat Anna Eskamani, who represents Winter Park in the Florida House.
“I take my hat off to everyone who came before me who has worked hard to help maintain the old-world charm that Winter Park has to offer its residents and its visitors,” Cameron said. “Because of all of you, my generation and generations after me will get to enjoy the Winter Park that you all created. If elected as your mayor, I would work hard every day to maintain and improve upon that Winter Park we all know and love.”
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