Windermere Council addresses Marina Bay assessments

WINDERMERE  The Windermere Town Council unanimously passed a resolution pertaining to non-ad valorem assessments for Marina Bay Estates, a town community that needed storm water system fixes, as determined by town and Orange County staff.

Richard Montgomery, a member of Marina Bay's homeowners association, said the homeowners hoped they would not need to bear the full brunt of paying for the repairs. But Mayor Gary Bruhn said that would set a precedent of everyone in the town wanting tax money to fix their association's problems, which pertinent to this system are the responsibility of the association.

Residents from five homes in Marina Bay but outside the homeowners association pleaded with the council not to subject them to the same payments members of the homeowners association would be subject to in the coming fiscal year. They said their lack of any say in the association fixing a problem it should have handled years ago should absolve them of responsibility for paying to fix the problem now.

But town staff told Bruhn the residents of those houses would have to pay because they benefited from the services that fixed the storm water system.

A woman read her husband's letter on the matter, which stated an agreement in a 2011 council meeting had absolved the homeowners of their responsibility in this matter. She continued reading about misappropriating town funds after many warnings her time had expired, to the point Bruhn asked for staff to remove her microphone and called a recess, through which she finished.

A public hearing on this matter will occur next year.

LOT SPLITS

Bruhn and Town Manager Robert Smith requested the council delay action on an ordinance about lot split revisions, citing a need to further discuss and iron out details of the ordinance, such as grandfathering.

But the council did unanimously pass a lot split of 39 and 51 Pine St., with conditions. Plans called for splitting the lots into six tracts consistent with the original plat, before June 10, 1975.

Public Works Director David Grimm announced he will step down from his position when a replacement is fit.

First responders received recognition for resuscitating a jogger last month in Windermere.

Contact Zak Kerr at [email protected].