Maitland City Talk

For many years one of our main transportation goals has been to complete a limited-access beltway around the greater Orlando area. The final link of that beltway is the Wekiva Parkway. This, along with SunRail and the Interstate 4 Master Plan, are the three projects of true regional significance. I fully agree with the importance of these projects, however, the timing of these projects must also be weighed against other pressing local areas transportation needs.

Both SunRail and the I-4 Master Plan are needed now as they serve the majority of the greater Orlando’s population and directly address our current pressing transportation needs. The Wekiva Parkway, however, would presently serve only a small fraction of our population and will not significantly reduce our present overburdened transportation system. To commit now monetary funding to the Wekiva Parkway by taking away monetary funding from other greater Orlando area local transportation projects does not properly address our present and immediate future transportation needs for the following reasons:

• The Wekiva Parkway will take away much-needed monetary funds and delays indefinitely important local transportation projects throughout the Orlando area that have been planned for years to help relieve our overburdened roads that serve the majority of the Orlando area population.

• As one study showed, it will not have a major impact on reducing the traffic on I-4 for many years.

• The Wekiva Parkway is not scheduled to be completed until 2021, which is after the 20-mile I-4 planned improvements are scheduled to be completed in 2020, offering no traffic relief during the I-4 construction upgrade.

I am not suggesting not completing the beltway. We should definitely continue to move forward with the construction of the Wekiva Parkway, but revise our priorities to take care of our present overburdened roads as previously scheduled. Due to monetary funding constraints, this may take a few more years to complete the beltway, but it will address our areas’ immediate transportation needs more appropriately and fairly.

We should revise the project priorities as follows: First, we should acquire all of the right-of-way needed for the entire road to ensure that we have the land to finish the beltway. Then revise the construction schedule allowing the monetary funds that were taken away for local transportation projects to be reinstated and used as originally scheduled for our local areas transportation needs.

Not remaining on schedule to take care of our local area’s overburdened transportation needs could result in limited and stymied growth in many areas hurting their future quality of life. How we handle our transportation issues now will help ensure healthy growth, prosperity and a good quality of life for the greater Orlando area in the future.

City Council Meeting of Monday, May 14

The Maitland City Council met on May 14 at 6:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers. Below is a synopsis of that meeting. The next regular scheduled Council meeting will be held on Monday, June 11.

Public Hearings:

Adopted an Ordinance to establish an economic development ad valorem tax exemption.

Adopted ordinances creating a Downtown Maitland Zoning District and the rezoning of properties within that District.

Consent:

Approved various meeting minutes.

A Change Order Summary to the City Hall contract with Wharton-Smith was approved, adjusting the contract from $3,317,079.27 to $3,299,781.38.

Approved the final Change Order Reconciliation for the Fire Station #45 contract, adjusting the contract from $2,923,557.87 to $2,952,625.77.

Approved the request of Planning and Zoning Commission members Ed Hampden, Michael Dabby, Beth Yohe and Dale McDonald to attend the Florida Planning and Zoning Association (FPZA) Annual Conference being held in Orlando, June 20-23.

Passed a resolution supporting a communitywide initiative to reduce pedestrian injuries.

Canceled the Council meeting of May 28 in observance of the Memorial Day Holiday.

Decisions:

Board Appointments:

Planning & Zoning Commission - Barry Kalmanson was appointed to fill an unexpired term that expires on Nov. 3, 2013.

Transportation Advisory Board – Matt Charlan was appointed to fill an unexpired term that expires on Nov. 15, 2013; and, Matthew Lamb & Michael Bindford were each appointed for a three-year term.

Senior Citizens Advisory Board – Maureen McCabe was reappointed for another three-year term.

To listen to a recording of the meeting, visit itsmymaitland.com