by Beth Kassab | Nov 10, 2023 | City Commission, News, Uncategorized
Commission tables decision on more incentives for Ravaudage
Commissioners questioned whether they should reimburse the mixed-use development for road, drainage and sidewalk improvements
Nov. 10, 2023
By Beth Kassab
Commissioners voted unanimously to table a request from the developer of Ravaudage for $300,000 in reimbursements for road, sidewalk and drainage improvements.
Mayor Phil Anderson said he did not have all the information he needed to make a decision.
“I think, normally, we use reimbursements as incentives to get something the city otherwise would not have,” Anderson said. “I’m not sure I understand the extent of the premium the city is getting in exchange for the provision being proposed.”
The Ravaudage development on the corner of U.S. 17-92 and Lee Road is already entitled to as much as $1.2 million over 10 years in city reimbursements for improvements to city right-of-way.
The new reimbursement request is tied to construction on sections of Lewis Drive and Bennett Avenue, which were annexed into the city in 2020 and so weren’t part of the original 2017 agreement with the developer.
Multimodal Transportation Impact Fees paid by businesses within Ravaudage is expected to raise more money than the reimbursement amount estimated at $301,327. Impact fees are paid by developers to cities or counties as part of the development approval process. The dollars are typically used to offset additional costs to local governments to be caused by the new homes or businesses such as police, fire, sewer or schools.
Developer Dan Bellows was in the audience, but did not address the commission.
Several commissioners cited the Whole Foods plaza and noted the developer in that case did not receive reimbursements for making road, stormwater and sidewalk improvements.
“I just think that the citizens and the government has been pretty generous toward this,” said Commissioner Todd Weaver. “If another developer came and asked for this, I don’t know if this commission would say yes to this.”
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by Beth Kassab | Nov 10, 2023 | City Commission, News
Winter Park bans smoking and vaping in public parks and lake beaches
Cigar and pipe smokers are exempt from the ban
Nov. 10, 2023
By Beth Kassab
Winter Park became the latest city to ban smoking and vaping in public parks and beaches, though there appears to be a carve out for cigar smokers who want to partake on the city’s golf courses or other public parks.
“I think they smell worse than cigarettes, but that’s just me,” said Vice Mayor Sheila DeCiccio as the commission noted the exemption for cigars and pipes from Tallahassee.
The commission voted 4-1 to pass the ban with Commissioner Kris Cruzada as the only no vote.
In 2022, the Legislature repealed a pre-emption that prohibited local governments like Winter Park from enacting their own rules for smoking in their own parks.
About two dozen cities across Florida have adopted bans since then for parks, beaches and recreation facilities.
The purpose of Winter Park’s new rule is to provide a more pleasant experience for people using the parks and “to ensure the safety and health of park guests from the hazards of second-hand smoke,” according to a staff memo.
Resident Gigi Papa spoke against the ban not because she supports smoking, she said, but because she finds the ban to be an example of “government overreach.”
Commissioner Todd Weaver said the ban is important for health and safety, but also because it will help cut down on pollution.
“Cigarette butts one of the worst things that can go into the lakes,” he said. “Every time I go out on the golf course I have to pick up cigarette butts and cigar butts.”
Jason Seely, director of Parks & Recreation, said there won’t be an enforcement arm dedicated to the ban, but he will handle violations on a case-by-case basis.
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by Beth Kassab | Nov 10, 2023 | City Commission, News, Uncategorized
Residents move commission to alter westside townhome project
Townhome developer willing to consider changes in light of residents’ concerns
Nov. 9, 2023
By Beth Kassab
In what appeared to be the brink of a victory for residents of the historically Black neighborhood in west Winter Park, a developer seeking to build 53 rental units of mostly townhomes will possibly reduce the number of units in favor of adding more single-family homes along the perimeter of the complex.
The change, requested by residents and members of the City Commission, is intended to make the development more compatible with the surrounding neighborhood.
The possible concessions from Winter Park Commons came after more than a dozen residents spoke at the City Commission meeting, complaining that the scope of the two-story units would dwarf adjacent small single-story houses and would continue to erode the character of the neighborhood.
“We’ve lost a lot through changes already done in Winter Park and we’ve done the most changing,” resident Sheila Reed told commissioners.
Brenda Martin Smith, whose family has owned homes on Webster Avenue and Comstock Avenue for more than half a century, said the west side neighborhood would be hurt by additional traffic and the imposing façade of the multi-story project.
“Every day is playing Russian Roulette trying to back out of our driveway on Webster,” she said. “And because of the construction on Comstock of mega-million-dollar homes you can’t even drive down that street. We have borne the burden of Winter Park with these multiplexes.”
At the core of the debate before the Commission, though, are the zoning entitlements on the property the Miami-based developer bought from a Seventh-Day Adventist Church in 2019. The land is zoned R-3, which allows multi-story, multi-unit developments. Other nearby properties, including some that are currently single-family homes, have the same R-3 zoning, which means they too could be developed in the future.
“We met every single code requirement you have,” said Rebecca Wilson, a Lowndes attorney who is representing the developer. “And we’re being told only single-family is compatible with R-3 around us … It just seems unfair. It doesn’t mean we may not be able to make it work, but it does seem unfair that we have to do the single-family when across the street [there are apartments].”
There are two apartment complexes near the proposed development.
The developer had already agreed to replace some townhomes with single-family homes along Capen Avenue, as well as a list of other conditions when the commission granted partial approval to the project last month.
Wilson said it’s possible the project would reduce its size by two units and build detached single-family style homes along the perimeter, but would likely need variances on setbacks and the number of parking spaces to make that work financially.
Commissioners voted to table the matter to give the developer time to consider their options. They plan to bring it back for discussion at the next meeting in December.
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by Beth Kassab | Nov 9, 2023 | News
Editor's Note: How you can help sustain the Winter Park Voice
We value your readership and support as we deliver news about your local government and elections that you can’t find anywhere else
Nov. 9, 2023
Dear Readers,
First, I want to thank you for the warm welcome I received when I came on as editor of the Winter Park Voice earlier this year. Local news is my career-long passion and this has been a hugely rewarding experience so far.
You all have generously supported the Voice for more than 10 years now and it’s that time of year when we are, once again, asking for your contributions. This year we took an important step to keep the Voice sustainable. We are now operating as a non-profit, which means your donations are tax-deductible.
We are a tiny but mighty team and, with your help, we deliver the most reliable in-depth coverage of Winter Park City Hall and beyond. I am the lone employee of our organization, and I am eternally grateful that retired Editor Anne Mooney continues to volunteer her time, sharp skills and wealth of knowledge as a steadfast editor and advisor.
The Voice has a three-member board of directors that is made up of Anne, myself and veteran journalist and Winter Park resident Gerri Throne. Our mission is to deliver accurate, relevant news about Winter Park to everyone who calls this city home, works here or likes to visit.
One feature we debuted this summer is the Weekly Roundup, an emailed newsletter that curates the week’s stories straight to your inbox every Sunday morning. The Roundup and all of the stories we publish are free — and without ads — because of people like you who support us with your contributions.
We keep our overhead low, but it does cost money to maintain our site and to create the content that people in Winter Park count on. That’s why your tax-deductible contributions make such a difference to us and why we are so very grateful for them.
You can donate both online by clicking here or by sending a check to Winter Park Voice, P.O. Box 1543, Winter Park, FL, 32790.
With deepest gratitude as we embark on this season of giving,
Beth Kassab
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by Beth Kassab | Nov 4, 2023 | City Commission, News
Seven Oaks Park construction expected to start in late November
The update on the city’s newest park is part of an overview on building projects across Winter Park
Nov. 3, 2023
By Beth Kassab
Construction on Seven Oaks Park is planned for late November, according to an update released this week.
The update, which is the latest version of Winter Park’s status report on a number of projects and is part of the agenda for the next City Commission meeting, says construction firm Collage soon provide the city with an exact start date. Collage will also work with the city to provide businesses and residents information about how the construction will affect parking and sidewalks.
Seven Oaks Park is the city’s newest park planned for the corner of Orange Avenue and Denning Drive.
A groundbreaking was held earlier this year.
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by Beth Kassab | Nov 3, 2023 | City Commission, News
Winter Park to become latest city to ban smoking and vaping at parks
The state lifted a law last year that prohibited local governments from making their own rules when it comes to smoking
Nov. 3, 2023
By Beth Kassab
In recent years cities and counties have become accustomed to the Florida Legislature taking away local authority on everything from gun safety to policies on climate change and rent control.
The slew of pre-emption statues out of Tallahassee prohibit local governments from crafting their own solutions to a number of issues that included, until recently, bans on smoking and vaping in public parks.
In 2022, the Legislature repealed that pre-emption and Winter Park is poised to become the latest city to enact its own ban as a result.
The City Commission will on Wednesday consider a new ordinance to ban smoking and vaping in public parks, beaches and recreation facilities.
The purpose of the ban is to provide a more pleasant experience for people using the parks and “to ensure the safety and health of park guests from the hazards of second-hand smoke,” according to a staff memo.
About two dozen cities across Florida have adopted similar ordinances.
The cost of the change is expected to be minimal, according to city staff, with “No Smoking” signs among the biggest expense.
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