Five items to watch at Windermere Town Council

WINDERMERE  A slew of presentations and proclamations at Windermere Town Council meetings will continue at the May 10 meeting, starting at 6 p.m. in Town Hall. Here are five other items you should look for at the meeting.

1. Taylor Morrison Development Updates

For years, the approved Estancia (formerly Windsong) development of 55 houses on roughly 32 acres of land has been embroiled in controversy. Most recently, residents in The Willows at Lake Rhea have accused Taylor Morrison contractors of repeatedly working later than 7 p.m. -- the curfew for the development site on The Willows' eastern border and the western side of Maguire Road -- which Taylor Morrison officials previously had told town officials would cease.

Council members invited Taylor Morrison representatives to attend this meeting to offer explanations, but The Willows residents remain skeptical.

2. Five-Year Capital Improvement Program Ordinance

A schedule of improvements and funding sources for various facility, transportation, park, historic preservation, tree, sidewalk and storm water projects will be subject to council approval. More than $1.1 million could be involved in this five-year plan.

3. Ocoee and Windermere Fire Inspection Services Agreement

In a continuation of Ocoee Fire Department providing service to Windermere, this would allow Ocoee Fire Department's legal enforcement of fee assessments pertinent to certain renovations or newly built institutional, commercial or industrial development. Fees would be similar to those in Ocoee and state regulations.

4. Town-wide Sign Inventory and Recommendations

To ensure signs in Windermere have been installed properly, staff has recommended hiring Kimley-Horn & Associates to assess and inventory all town signs at a cost of $20,475. Funding could be from a federal Metro Plan grant or the General Fund. This assessment will include recommendations for future sign installation, too.

5. Budget Workshops and Hearing Dates

The council will set dates for two budget workshops between July and August amid a selection of many dates. Set budget adoption hearing dates would follow at 6 p.m. Sept. 6 and Sept. 23.

Contact Zak Kerr at [email protected].