- April 22, 2024
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The new Winter Park Library moved one step closer to reality as the Winter Park Commissioners approved the library’s preliminary and final conditional use request.
With a 4-1 vote (Carolyn Cooper dissented) the city now has the permit it needs to properly zone the new library and city center.
A conditional use permit is a zoning exception that allows property owners — in this case, the city of Winter Park — to use land in a way that otherwise isn’t permitted within a particular zoning district.
Although some small adjustments were made, overall the plan is in good shape, said Planning and Zoning Manager Jeff Briggs.
“This is the site plan and layout for the library and the event center — it’s in the same location as the previous civic center,” Briggs said. “It’s important to point out that all of these improvements meet the zoning code in respect to building heights, setbacks, etc.”
The biggest questions held by some members of the commission were regarding parking and stormwater runoff around the new facilities.
According to code requirements, there is a need for one parking space per 250 square feet for the events center and one space per 375 square feet for the library. Because the events center will be 13,564 square feet and the library will be 34,400 square feet, the two buildings will require 146 spaces.
Currently, there are 205 on-site parking spots (90 at the library and 115 at the civic center), but the goal is to add more.
“In addition, the plan includes adding 24 parallel parking spaces along the east side of Harper Street for a total of 237 total spaces,” city staff stated in recommendations. “The city is continuing to explore adding 36 more parking spaces to the south on the property where the current recreation building sits, if needed.”
Cooper said she was uncomfortable with how much green space was to be taken by the additional parking spaces to the south of the property. It was so much of a concern for her that she offered an amendment to get rid of the additional parking. The amendment was eventually shot down by the rest of the commission.
“We’re taking up a great deal of the park now with surface parking as opposed to a parking structure, and I understand the legal nuance of whether it’s a garage or structure, but when it starts covering more and more park, that becomes significant,” Cooper said. “I would have to say that, as the buyers’ rep, I’m not ready to ask you for conditional use.”
The other issue multiple commissioners addressed was stormwater runoff.
Although Commissioner Greg Seidel found no issues with the permit, he noted he would like to see more pre-treatment done on runoff.
“Currently, we would be just directly discharging stormwater into the lake, which is provided stormwater treatment,” Seidel said. “But if you had the pre-treatment, you’ll get all the trash out before it goes in, and that is really the main thing that I would really like to see.”
Other commissioners concurred, and Mayor Steve Leary said they could still move forward with the conditional use and look into it when the right time comes.
The commission set the operating millage rate for the Fiscal Year 2019 budget at 4.0923 for the 10th-consecutive year in a 4-1 vote.
As in previous years, the only dissenting vote was cast by Pete Weldon — who seeked to lower the millage once again from 4.0923 to 4.0000.
“I think we heard earlier today that the financial results for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2018, we’re looking at $900,000 roughly surplus over budget,” Weldon said. “The amount of the decrease recommended in the millage rate is $500,000 for Fiscal Year 2019.
“As I’ve mentioned before, I think it is appropriate that we balance our good fortune with evaluation increases, with recognizing the interests of our citizens and property owners by lowering the millage rate at this time,” he said.
Along with the millage rate being set, the budget for 2019 also was adopted.
The adopted budget included the additions of two changes approved in July, which includes an allocation of $10,000 to Blue Bamboo for free musical events and the allocation of $33,000 to replace flooring at Mead Gardens.
