by Beth Kassab | Jun 11, 2023 | City Commission, Events, News
League of Women Voters to host discussion on the affordable housing crisis
Affordable housing is a concern in Winter Park, where officials have discussed transforming the old library into workforce apartments
The Orange County League of Women Voters will host a panel on affordable housing solutions for the region this week as Central Florida continues to see soaring rents and property values that price even middle-class families out of homes in some areas.
“Give Me Shelter: Innovative Solutions to Our Housing Crises” is the latest in the league’s popular “Hot Topics” series and will begin at 11:30 on Wednesday at the Winter Park Events Center. Register here.
Panelists include Terry Prather, senior advisor to Lift Orlando, Ryan Von Weller, chief operating officer for Wendover Housing Partners, and Mitchell Glasser, Housing and Community Development manager for Orange County. Beth Kassab, editor of the Winter Park Voice, will moderate.
“Low wages, a shortage of apartments and rising rents create a perfect storm for workers, their families and others who live on fixed incomes,” reads a description of the event. “What is being done long-term to provide the kind of communities where people can live? The panelists will provide examples of two innovative solutions to housing and how they work with the community and local government.”
This week the Winter Park City Commission will hear from residents at two meetings where the fate of the old library is on the agenda. At least one potential proposal by a local developer calls for the city to trade the library property for the Bank of the Ozarks property, which would allow the old library land to be transformed into, at least in part, workforce housing.
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by Beth Kassab | Jun 10, 2023 | News, Uncategorized
How can we fix S.R. 426?
The state is seeking citizens’ input on plans to rehab the road and improve safety along the 1.7-mile stretch
More than 600 car crashes, including 203 injuries and two deaths, occurred on the curved sections of S.R. 426 between Park Avenue and Lakemont Avenue between 2017 and 2022 — statistics the Florida Department of Transportation is looking to combat with a series of changes to the road.
Construction is slated to begin in 2026 to add features like landscaped medians, pedestrian barriers, raised intersections and crosswalks to the narrow and curvy passage.
Residents can drop in to a meeting in-person or virtually on Tuesday between 5:30 and 7 p.m. at the Winter Park Events Center. A 20-minute video presentation will play on a loop and FDOT staff will be on hand to answer questions and hear ideas. For more information and link to connect virtually click here.
One potential new design for S.R. 426 at Phelps Avenue, the site of the highest number of traffic crashes.
To determine exactly how the plan looks, the state is presenting two alternatives to residents and will combine the best features of both into the final design, according to materials provided by FDOT.
The idea is to reduce traffic speeds and increase driver awareness through the corridor that serves as an important east-west connector from Winter Park to Oviedo and beyond. Speeding is common through one of the main curves near Alberta Avenue, known as the Southern Curve, where the posted limit is 25 miles per hour, but FDOT data shows the average speed is more than 34 miles per hour.
Distracted driving and lane departures were the most common factors in the traffic accidents on the stretch, FDOT reported.
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by Beth Kassab | Jun 9, 2023 | City Commission, Library
Opinions on old library? Speak out next week as city considers land swaps
Winter Park will hold a neighborhood meeting about the future of the old library followed by a review of potential real estate swaps for the high-profile land
By Beth Kassab
Residents who want to be heard on the future of the old Winter Park Library across from Rollins College will have two opportunities next week.
On Monday, the city will host a session in the City Commission chambers at 5:30 for residents and others to ask questions and voice opinions about the development of the property at 460 New England Avenue that could turn into anything from a home for local nonprofits to workforce housing or a mixed-use development.
City staff will provide a presentation at the meeting followed by a chance for nearby residents to comment along with any other members of the public.
Then on Wednesday, the City Commission will take up the matter at its regular meeting, including a discussion of two potential land swaps recently proposed to city staff.
One offer involves trading the land near the police building at 501 N. Virginia Avenue plus cash for the library property, according to a memorandum included in the commission agenda.
A second concept would provide the city the Bank of the Ozarks property at 1100 Orange Avenue for the old library land to be developed into workforce housing, the memo says.
The commission could decide Wednesday if it wants to pursue one of those options or issue a new Request for Proposal for ideas. So far the commission has said the new development can not exceed four stories or 55 feet, must maintain the oak tree on the east side of the current building and agreed to give preference to concepts that include the arts and local nonprofits.
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by Beth Kassab | Jun 6, 2023 | City Commission
City explores annexations near Fairbanks and I-4
Bringing properties into city limits would add tax revenue, but also cost in services
By Beth Kassab
Winter Park could grow by more than $180 million in taxable property value and gain a population of more than 1,700 if the City Commission moves forward on a series of annexations near Interstate 4 and Fairbanks Avenue.
The proposed annexations would bring three areas from unincorporated Orange County into the city, which would give Winter Park leaders more control over how the commercial area at the major intersection is developed.
Last month city commissioners brought four properties south of Kentucky Avenue into the city.
Planning Director Jeff Briggs described this small 2-acre annexation as a first step as the city “incrementally works our way toward an ultimate goal.”
The city plans to annex an even wider swath south of Kentucky Avenue, between Formosa Avenue and Clay Street, over time.
Also up for consideration is a small area known as “Lawndale” south of Fairbanks to Harmon Avenue with about 226 homes.
The largest area being eyed by the city is west of Lake Killarney to I-4 with nearly 600 homes.
The annexations would likely require a vote by residents.
Commissioners considered last month whether it would make financial sense to pursue the annexations. A city analysis showed there wasn’t an easy answer. Folding the properties into the city’s borders would come with costs for increased services and infrastructure – particularly increased police and fire services — but would also yield increased tax revenue.
So far, there is no firm timetable for the annexations, though city staff discussed at the work session looking at the November 2024 ballot for county voters and, if needed, a March 2025 ballot for Winter Park city voters.
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by Beth Kassab | May 11, 2023 | City Commission, News, Uncategorized
City Manager Randy Knight applied for Ron DeSantis' Disney oversight board
Knight did not immediately respond to a request for comment
By Beth Kassab
City Manager Randy Knight applied for the top job at the new Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, created by Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Legislature to take back power from Walt Disney World over the special taxing district formerly known as Reedy Creek.
Knight’s resume was one of four received by the board, the Orlando Sentinel reported. He did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Knight, who has worked for Winter Park for more than 20 years, let commissioners know privately after Wednesday night’s meeting that he applied for the job, according to three commissioners.
“Randy let me know he had been asked to submit his resume for the position last night,” said Mayor Phil Anderson. “But I’m relieved that Randy will continue to be able to work on the commission’s priorities.”
DeSantis’ board hired Glen Gilzean, president of the Central Florida Urban League and a former lobbyist for Step Up for Students, for the position at a salary of $400,000. The Legislature created the new board in the wake of a political showdown between DeSantis and Disney after the company spoke out last year against about the law known as “Don’t Say Gay” and stopped making political contributions in Florida. Disney has filed a lawsuit alleging that the state’s actions are a retaliatory response to the company’s free speech.
Commissioner Marty Sullivan said Knight, who earns about $220,000 in his current role, also told him last night that he applied.
“He said the job paid $400,000 and he couldn’t pass up the opportunity,” Sullivan said.
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