Open Letter to Mayor and Commissioners

Open Letter to Mayor and Commissioners

Re: The Blueprint for Development in Winter Park


Former Secretary State of Florida, Dept. of Management Services

Thirteen years ago, Nancy and I had our first dinner on Park Avenue. Interestingly, our server also worked as an appraiser. When I asked her why we should buy a home in Winter Park vs. somewhere else, she was quick and clear. This is a great community with good schools. Demand is steady for homes in Winter Park, even in down markets. Most important, we have a wonderful quality of life.

Turns out she gave us good advice. We quickly discovered that the quality of life we enjoy here is the result of the years of effort that went into developing and refining our Comprehensive Plan. Winter Park has a blueprint for growth that was put together with community involvement over a long time and is key to our success as a community.

We have the good fortune to be governed by a set of rules and regulations and that is both understandable and appropriate. Those rules, however, are being challenged by developers who are coming into our community with their eyes on the “big returns” and many of us feel we are not being adequately represented by those on the Planning and Zoning Board (appointed by the Mayor) or sitting on the City Commission. We are seeing a huge increase in density, for example, in the North Denning corridor. Large structures are being squeezed onto small pieces of property; and it’s not just one. We have seen the former Department of Motor Vehicles building lot stripped clear in preparation for another high-density structure.

Folks that brought us the Great Winter Park Land Swap of 2011 have a contract on a property on 17-92. It is apparently too small to build what they want, and they have had the audacity to request the city give them access to Winter Park property by the Rachel D. Murrah Civic Center to build a parking garage. Really? It is astonishing that such a request would clear the hurdle to make its way to the commission to be considered.

Does this bother you at all? Do you care what the citizens think about this?

I think we should have responsible commercial development that conforms to the Plan and to the rules we have. Any exceptions should be subject to close public scrutiny. If you attempt to sell us the standard party line, “We need to do whatever’s necessary to attract development to maintain, lower or keep taxes down,” . . . I say to you: “Show me,” and I will stand there until you do. We should NOT be making periodic changes to a plan we spent months almost years to complete. In the words of Mayor Bradley “In my four years on the council, I’ve found if we try to rush things, bad things happen.” (September 12, 2013 Winter Park Forum). I have to agree with the Mayor and ask why the urgent need to make changes and if there is a need why do so without appropriate due process including broad community input and involvement.

When a developer asks to increase density on a property, I believe board members and commissioners have a fiduciary responsibility to demonstrate publicly how that will benefit the city or impact our tax base. If the impact is not significant, why would we say yes and have to live forever with the consequences?

As you know, our property tax bills are public information, so I will use ours as an example. Ours was $12,393.71 for 2013. Only $3,003.27 or 24% of that went to the city of Winter Park, and that included debt service of $224.01. State Law directed $3,724.40 or 30% to Public Schools, Local School Board assessed $2,313.03 or 19%, Orange County got $3,047.26 or 18%, St Johns Water Management District got $227.65 or 2% and there were Non-Ad Valorem Assessments of $45.79. So allowing multiple exceptions to our density rules will reduce my $2,965.99 in Winter Park taxes by how much? Please tell me I am waiting.

And why are you not asking us what we think?

Don’t assume you know what we want. Listen to us. Ask us, and above all have the intestinal fortitude to say no when no is the right answer.

When you ran for office, every one of you promised to represent the interests of Winter Park’s citizens. We believed you, and we elected you.

Many of us are now beginning to believe that our trust in you was badly misplaced. Please show us that isn’t so and do so before the quality of life we enjoy in Winter Park is negatively impacted.

Respectfully,

Jack Miles

 

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Should WP Historic Preservation Policy Depend on Citizens Rising Up to Rescue Threatened Landmarks?

Should WP Historic Preservation Policy Depend on Citizens Rising Up to Rescue Threatened Landmarks?


Former Secretary State of Florida, Dept. of Management Services
Attending a Winter Park Commission meeting is always a treat and, similar to Broadway shows, some are comedies, some dramas; this past Monday’s commission meeting was unfortunately a tragedy.

It was obvious from the opening that the commissioners were moved, troubled and perhaps annoyed by the community reaction to John and Betsy Pokorny (aka 520 N. INTERLACHEN, LLC) plans to demolish the Capen Home. The troubling issue here is more the how as in how this happened than the what as in what may very well happen…..again.

So one can only wonder if when assessing the appropriateness of removing the historic designation of 520 N Interlachen Avenue, the commission engaged the City’s Historic Preservation Board, the citizen board that deals with these issues for input and a recommendation. How about the Winter Park Historical group? Was their input requested at the commission meeting this past Monday? Was City staff consulted relative to their thoughts on the matter?

Frankly, did anyone even think that with only a small portion of the properties identified as “historic” in Winter Park and — given the history and location of the subject property on Lake Osceola — that SunTrust requesting the removal of the designation could mean that something unstated may be behind the request? Did any Commission or City staff take the time to check Orange County Property Records to determine who the legal owner of the property was and whether there was any extenuating circumstances given the foreclosure? So much for the Mayors comment at the commission meeting that he ”… Wants our advisory boards involved”.

Commissioner McMacken had more information on the happenings based on his time on the Historic Preservation board and had to “battle” to not be talked over to present his recollection of the facts. The majority of the commission discussion was around the first historic designation and removal … not the issue at hand which is the pending demolition.

There is an impressive list of Winter Park tragedies avoided and ones we will get to see for years to come. The demolition of Casa Feliz was avoided because concerned and dedicated citizens came to its rescue and the City made a site available. Then the Carlisle Project pitted development against preserving what one headline called “the small town charm” of the City. Resolution brought to you at great expense — again by the concerned and dedicated citizens of Winter Park.

Then the great CNL land swap and all one needs to do is look at the corner of N Denning Drive and W Morse Boulevard and compare that to the multiple parcels of land divided by railroad tracks and tainted with arsenic on North Orange Avenue and draw your own conclusions, appraisals aside, on the fairness of the swap.

So where are we? The notice was posted on the building and as of June 13th a demolition permit cannot be denied assuming all the utility disconnects and documents are filed. After that, 520 N. INTERLACHEN, LLC can proceed to demolish the building. According to Attorney Trippe Cheek, the Pokornys authorized him to voluntarily offer a 30 day delay — however he was clear in reiterating their rights to act and the fact that they had a valid demolition permit. As an observer I was rather surprised that neither the Mayor nor any commission member asked to have that formalized in a document. Attorney Trippe Cheek also made it very clear that the delay is to try and facilitate the moving of the home and nothing else … Sarah Sprinkel stated that is what we want. Sorry Commissioner, not sure everyone feels that way as the historic value is in not just the structure but the home and location.

I strongly respect the Pokorny’s property rights, the fact that they, as Mr. Cheek said, are “good stewards”, thank them for voluntarily delaying the demolition and their offer to donate funds to the “move”, however I am one driven by results and if all of this results in saving The Capen Home in, ideally, the existing location GREAT; if not one has to wonder about their community commitment and dedication.

We should also note the owners are masking their name from the process as evidenced on the Demolition Notice blanking out one name and writing in an LLC with the only visible reference to them being the electronic filing coversheet sent to the Florida Department of State, Department of Corporations showing John Pokorny’s email address. Frankly I cannot blame them not wanting their name associated with what may be the demolition of Winter Park history, many say a treasure. Folk will have to decide for themselves whether others like the bank, the realtor representing the bank and perhaps others played a role.

As for the Mayor and Commission; it should not take a public outcry to push them to do the right thing and input from the public should be encouraged and embraced rather than be seen as an annoyance; it is OUR City. You and we need to be thoughtful stewards of Winter Park’s past and present and preserve what we have enjoyed for future generations. We apparently have not learned from past mistakes, let’s work now to address the how, how we govern and balance the needs of all constituents and consistently do the right thing.

Jack Miles

 

 

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Developers Should Not Be Financed by Taxpayers

Developers Should Not Be Financed by Taxpayers

On Monday at 4:00 PM the Mayor and Commissioners will hold a workshop on the request to form the Ravaudage Community Development District. A vote on this request must take place by April 8th, as there will be no opportunity for public input at Monday’s meeting. As the Mayor and Commission consider the Ravaudage Community Development District, they need to consider the impact, long term and potential challenges in its approval.

Many developments in Winter Park and Central Florida have been successful without CDD’s, so a question: Would the development be successful or be able to obtain the financing to complete without this? A commitment to this developer now will set a precedent others may expect.

There are 600 CDD’s in Florida which have issued $6.5 billion in Municipal Bonds to finance their infrastructure. Of the 600, 168 or 28% have defaulted on $5.1 billion or 78% of the bonds. Consider the track record of the developer requesting the CDD in Winter Park – a record which includes foreclosure, unfinished or partially completed projects. (Source: Florida Community Development District Report)

No one can convince me that the development of 48 acres will not require additional city services and infrastructure. You as commissioners have already taken on that obligation though annexation. The developer, investors, present and future owners should not benefit or be underwritten by the rest of the property owners and taxpayers of Winter Park.

Just reading Governor Scott’s Executive Order Number 12-10 (Review of Special Districts) http://www.floridacddreport.com/Scott.pdf is enough of a red flag for me.

Many folk in the City of Winter Park wonder and some believe that the developers of projects in Winter Park get what they want from the City and Commissioners; there is a history of Winter Park approving projects which we were later on sorry we approved, and in some cases paid millions to undo.

Development should be able to stand on its own and if planned and done well benefits all. The City of Winter Park has no business being a “partner” in development when the potential for benefit is to the developer and not the City. I can only hope that the Mayor and City Commissioners have the courage to do the right thing: Deny the application for the Ravaudage Community Development District. Developers and development, especially in the City of Winter Park should not be funded or underwritten by its citizens and taxpayers.

Jack Miles

 

 

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