After several years of attempting to obstruct SunRail, including a January 2009 effort to use her position on our city commission to terminate Winter Park’s commuter rail agreement with Orange County, Commissioner Dillaha has put her objections in writing. Her April 29, 2010 letter to the citizens of Winter Park contained the following objections, the italicized text numbered 1 through 9 below. My response follows each objection. Dillaha: 1) A weak and vague ability for the city to “opt-out” of the agreement beyond one 60-day window within 99 years. The statement above is false. The “opt out” is…
Dillaha’s Dangerous Disaster
May 12, 2010 The Winter Park City Commission meeting of May 24 has been set aside for commission and public input, and possibly action on Commissioner Beth Dillaha’s continuing efforts to terminate Winter Park’s participation in the SunRail commuter rail system. Ms. Dillaha continues her efforts to terminate Winter Park’s commuter rail agreement with Orange County with the intent to terminate Winter Park’s commuter rail station. (A previous move by Ms. Dillaha to terminate the agreement in January 2009 was defeated by a 3 to 2 vote.) If Ms. Dillaha wanted something other than termination of our commuter rail station…
Important News About Winter Park’s SunRail Station.
April 28, 2010 Please contact our city commissioners after reading this. First the great news! The Commuter Rail Commission has confirmed that the state will now be picking up nearly half of the previously projected costs of operating Winter Park’s SunRail station (Note #1). When we voted in 2007 to authorize the city commission to pay for our commuter rail station and its operation, the annual costs were estimated at $587,000 per year (Note #2). Revised projections near the end of 2007 put these estimates at roughly $700,000 per year (Note #3). With the latest changes in funding and pending…
Attention Winter Park Commercial Property Owners
April 20, 2010 It is my understanding that Winter Park commercial property owners have until May 14, 2010 to question the impact of the city’s Comprehensive Plan on their property values and uses. Changes have also been made in the Land Development Code for both commercial and residential properties that warrant your review as a property owner. As a result of the severe restrictions and controls added to the latest Comprehensive Plan several property owners are requesting a “Tolling” agreement with the city that extends this time period for appeal and review by one year on a property by property…
For those interested in the facts….
The most important issue in the recent election (both for new city commission members and charter amendments) was the future of our Comprehensive Plan and thus, our city. I repeatedly pointed out the flaws in Comprehensive Plan. Interestingly, the first City Commission meeting following the election included proposed Comprehensive Plan changes from city planning staff (recommended by the city attorneys) to many of the prohibitions and other elements of the Comprehensive Plan I previously expressed concerns about. This list is by no means complete but it is a beginning toward restating our Comprehensive Plan in ways that may encourage compatible…
Time for Leadership in Winter Park
March 8, 2010 Commissioner Anderson’s letter in support of Carolyn Cooper demonstrates the need for real leadership at City Hall. Mr. Anderson’s letter simply accepts that the city will be forced to reduce spending, and thus service levels in order to balance future budgets without raising taxes. It is precisely this forced reduction in service levels that puts our quality of life and residential property values at risk. Mr. Anderson’s “plan” by default is to reduce spending until some undefined events magically occur that increase property values and economic activity, in the hope this will increase revenues needed to maintain…
Vote “no” on super-majority (Amendment #10)
February 4, 2010 Why do those supporting a super-majority vote in Winter Park insist on referring to those who disagree with them as “development-related special interests” (My Word: “Vote ‘yes’ for a super-majority,” Orlando Sentinel, Tuesday)? A broad spectrum of citizens with varied interests and experiences are rightfully questioning Amendment 10. On Tuesday, Winter Park voters will decide whether to require a super-majority vote (4-1) of city commissioners when changing land-use policies within our comprehensive plan. A “no” vote in opposition to Amendment 10 will assure that a minority will not control future land use in Winter Park. Winter Park’s…
Time to Stop the Nonsense
February 25, 2010 You received a flyer in the mail today promoting a yes vote on Amendment #10 on March 9th. Florida law requires a filing with the City Clerk identifying the people responsible and the sources of financing for political communications. Also, an individual can send political communications provided they identify themselves. The flyer you received was attributed to “Ten for Winter Park.” Per my phone calls today, neither the City of Winter Park nor the Orange County Elections office has any information on this organization. [Update: “Ten for Winter Park” registered with the City on March 3, 2010…
What Kind of City Do YOU Want?
If you can get past the law suits we are exposed to by Cooper’s master plan (the Comprehensive Plan) you may wish to consider the tone and substance of the plan and how it will impact our relationship with those who may consider investing in our city. Remember that Cooper is running for a seat on our City Commission based on her authorship and support for this plan, and that Tom McMacken has pledged his allegiance to this plan. The Cooper and McMacken plan, also embraced by Commissioner Beth Dillaha, prohibits almost everything and encourages almost nothing. It is this…
Cooper’s Comprehensive Incompetence
My concern with Carolyn Cooper used to be about bad policy. It now includes incompetence. She tells us she understands land use issues and then writes rules that expose the City to law suits. The people of Winter Park need to understand the magnitude and consequences of problems generated by Cooper’s influence as a member of the Planning and Zoning Commission before they vote. Click Here: The Winter Park City Attorney on February 8, 2010 confirmed that Cooper’s Comprehensive Plan has down zoned a substantial number of properties and that at least one property owner has a valid and substantial…