Winter Park City Talk

On behalf of the city of Winter Park, we wish you and your loved ones a very happy Valentine’s Day! It’s the perfect day to show our love for our great city of Winter Park.

City Commission meeting highlights

There was a City Commission meeting held Feb. 11 at 3:30 p.m. in City Hall Commission Chambers. Below are a few highlights from that meeting:

Mayor’s Report

• The Winter Park Chamber of Commerce presented checks to area schools from proceeds from the December 2012 pancake breakfast fundraiser.

• The “Employee of the Quarter” award was presented to Earl Hoffman, meter systems manager.

Consent Agenda

• The minutes of 1/28/2013 were approved.

• The various contracts and a formal solicitation were approved (complete list can be found at cityofwinterpark.org/ccpackets).

• The disposal of 845 W. New England Ave. to the Hannibal Square Community Land Trust to develop five single-family homes was approved.

Action Items Requiring Discussion

• The Electric System Undergrounding Program was presented with a possible work session scheduled for Monday, March 11, for further discussion.

Public Hearings

• The resolution calling for a public hearing to discuss undergrounding of electric/CATV facilities for properties abutting Via Salerno/Via Capri was approved.

• The second readings of the ordinances related to 500 E. Lake Sue Ave. were approved.

• The second reading of the ordinance regarding the repeal of supermajority needed for adoption of ordinances was approved.

• The first reading of the ordinance amending Chapter 58 “Land Development Code” Article I, “Comprehensive Plan” in the Future Land Use Element, so as to add new policy text and Future Land Use category restricted and limited to parking lot use to correspond to the Parking Lot Zoning District, was approved.

• The first reading of the ordinance amending Chapter 58, “Land Development Code,” Article III “Zoning” to amend Section 58-80 Parking Lot District, so as to provide design standards for parking lots in proximity to residential property, was approved.

A full copy of the Feb. 11 City Commission minutes will be available at cityofwinterpark.org the week of Feb. 25, pending approval by City Commission.

Provide input on city’s downtown parking mobility plan

As in any vibrant downtown, the ability to provide adequate parking is always important. This is especially significant for Winter Park with the thousands of residents, shoppers, visitors, diners and event-goers that enjoy its downtown every year. Based on the growth in the downtown and the opening of the city’s SunRail stop in 2014, the city has identified the need to create and implement a downtown Parking Mobility Plan.

You can help the city of Winter Park develop effective parking strategies to accommodate the demand for downtown parking by participating in the city’s Downtown Parking Survey at cityofwinterpark.org/ParkingSurveys between now and Friday, March 8.

Upon accessing the link, you will be able to select a survey from one of these four categories that best describes your role in downtown:

1. Employee
2. Business owner
3. Resident
4. Visitor

Participation will help the city maximize parking opportunities that can enhance the overall downtown experience. Thank you for participating in the parking survey and providing valuable feedback.

KaBOOM! playground build

The city of Winter Park, Friends of Fleet Peeples Park, and more than 100 residents and volunteers will join forces to build a new, safe playground at Fleet Peeples Park. The playground build will include a Family Fun Station featuring games and activities for families and children throughout the day.

Fleet Peeples Park is a beautiful shady park that covers 23.16 acres on the shore of Lake Baldwin. Named for a city resident and well-known swimming instructor, Mr. Fleet Peeples, the park is one of two city parks that boast a sandy beach. This park is also the only park in the city allowing dogs to run off-leash in specified areas. Fleet Peeples Park offers two pavilions available for reservation, a ramp for boats without gas engines, picnic tables and newly constructed restrooms.

The city received a grant for the project as part of “Let’s Play,” a community partnership led by Dr. Pepper Snapple Group to get kids and families active nationwide. The city was eligible for the grant after being recognized as a Playful City USA community in 2012 by the non-profit organization KaBOOM! Winter Park was selected as one of 25 Playful City USA communities to receive a Let’s Play City Construction Grant among the 213 communities that earned Playful City USA status in 2012.

To volunteer for this fun-filled community build, please register in advance at cityofwinterpark.org/kaboom

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