New Vision for the Old Blake Yard
Open Letter to Mayor and Commissioners
Editor's Note: Articles written by citizens reflect their own opinions and not the views of the Winter Park Voice. Dear Mayor and Commissioners:Please allow this vision of the Blake Yard at the east end of Comstock Avenue by the railroad tracks to be heard and understood, with all the practical and symbolic benefits that can be realized by our City.
Blake Yard
This property, an awkward piece of land by all accounts, has served as a “lay down” yard for power poles and the like. The City Commission will determine its destiny, as it should, duly elected and graciously contributing to the preservation and improvement of Winter Park. Skolfield Homes, L.L.C., proposes to purchase the property and develop it.
The Math
Our concept discards some long-standing norms and assumptions that have informed developers and builders. Development in Winter Park is, essentially, math – which maxes out at 50 percent impervious, 38 percent FAR, with prescribed height limits and setbacks, etc.
We propose to build a highly visible model, supported by a forward-thinking City that embraces the inevitable future of housing. I ask you to support a sustainable future and a housing style that lifts the hearts of young and old.
The Vision
I see four houses with three detached carports, as illustrated in this basic sketch. Each house has a footprint of about 600 square feet, plus open porches. With full basements half below grade and porches a few feet above grade, the two stories combined average 1,200 square feet plus 600 square feet of basement. The houses will be 24 percent floor-area-ratio (FAR) and 30 percent impervious.
A Completed Example
Here is 775 W. Lyman Avenue. This is my baby. I dreamed it, and thanks to our team, we built it. This little house boasts high quality construction, traditional design with plenty of charm, serious efficiency (net zero, solar panels), and a human scale. The house generates more power than it uses, retains rainwater for raised vegetable gardens and warms the souls of the folks who live there.
The Basic Concept is ‘Basic’
We Americans house too much Stuff in too many rooms. In this scenario, the stuff (if one absolutely must have it) goes in the basement, leaving the resident free to actually use the rooms they need, without having to dust stuff in rooms they don’t need. Do you get a visual of that darkened ghost town of a living room that serves as a sound barrier between the street and the rest of the house?
We built the Lyman Ave. house on a 32’ x 70’ lot with no variances. Lo and behold, the market responded. The highly successful executive of a large corporation undertook the maiden voyage. She could have afforded a far larger house, but realized she would live more comfortably in a house that had a more human scale.
Inclusion = Sense of Place
We would build this small community in the midst of the larger community of Winter Park. Ultimately, walls, fences and gated communities don’t work, even for the segment of society that can afford them. The solution is inclusion, and that must be a part of the vision.
Winter Park – Overrun by ’Generic’
Winter Park is at risk of losing its character, according to National Geographic Magazine. For every exceptional new home going up, there are dozens of sadly generic boxes that follow a playbook of size over quality. We are being overrun by generic. That was not the mentality of our founders.
Millenials – Size Matters Less
When it comes to housing, today’s young folks tend to prefer quality to size. In fact, the smaller home trend would tell us they’re not thinking size at all. Their picture of the future is sustainable, walkable, built on a human scale with efficient energy sources and rainwater retention for growing things.
What’s in it for Winter Park?
Let’s start with image. Thousands of visitors and Sunrail riders will witness sustainable, human-scale homes bearing Winter Park’s imprimatur come to life. These homes will contribute to the sense of place that already exists in this neighborhood, but which is swiftly eroding and in jeopardy. A development on this scale would elevate our standing as a forward-thinking, progressive community.
Honor Neighborhood Character
West Side residents know new homes will be built, and old, termite-damaged homes will come down to make room. There is, however, a long-standing set of zoning codes and processes in place to protect the character and the heritage of this part of our town. This area was established with small lots a century ago. We propose to honor and preserve the characteristics of the West Side that those of us who live here hold dear.
Sincerely,
John Skolfield
How interesting! I only hope these cozy homes are affordable for the young folks and young families. I have read articles that indicate “Millennials” are entering the housing market much later because of price barriers. I would like to see smaller scale homes in Winter Park as well. Bigger is not always better!! The architectural style is also important. I hope you are able to realize your dream. It is charming.
Is this the same property that is set to become a park and trail head? If so, why would the city possibly sell the property?
So the City should sell a $7 million asset for $300,000 or some low price to build 4 houses on a railroad track?
Interesting idea. I do like his first house like this. Have a mix in the city is what makes it so great.
Lovely idea! Lovely house! Smaller homes are the way, in my opinion, that people will want to live in the future . They would be close to the railroad tracks.
Sounds like a great idea. I appreciate the thought of both preserving and modernizing West Side characteristics.
I’m sure development any little strip of land in Winter Park is lucrative for the home builder but must we sell out once again? Why not clean up the property and enjoy a little breathing room?
I love the philosophy of your proposal. Seaside Florida was originally conceived with the principles of forcing interaction among neighbors and a non-reliance on cars. Seems your idea is compatible.
Anybody who would move their family that close to the railroad tracks ought to have their head examined.
Sure, I guess if Winter Park wants more wacky residents, by all means move forward. And why stop with homes near the tracks? Why not build “bridge” homes that span over and above the speeding locomotives? Could save on electricity by letting the train shake the cake mix so no blender would be needed!
This property (Blake Yard) is one of the few potential green spaces remaining in downtown. It’s sits next to the newly renovated Winter Park golf course. A better use would be to have the property
complement the golf course and provide an additional buffer to an ever growing and congested downtown.
This “awkward” little property is not on the “West Side”. Since when is Winter Park obligated to demonstrate to SunRail riders how wonderfully progressive it is? Who determines what is “human-scale” housing”?
Sounds like a good idea for the developer, not the neighborhood.