Yesterday’s Winter Park City Commission meeting opened with recognition of Winter Park Mayor Steve Leary and congratulations for mayor-elect Phil Anderson. At this last meeting over which he would preside, Mayor Leary was recognized on behalf of City staff by City Manager Randy Knight for his ability to run an efficient meeting and for many notable accomplishments during his tenure that will benefit Winter Park for years to come, including a new train station, the renovation of the Showalter Field complex and the approval and building of the new Library and Events Center.
 
City Manager’s Report
Randy Knight recognized the strong public sentiment recently expressed in support of Austin’s Coffee & Film, which operates in one of several buildings the City plans to purchase to make room for more efficient traffic flow at the corner of Fairbanks Avenue and Denning Drive. 
 
Expanding the intersection to make way for proper turn lanes would alleviate standstill traffic, provide a wider turning radius for the county bus line, and resolve the chronic bottleneck of cars approaching 17-92 westbound on Fairbanks. 
 
The project was part of the City’s 1999 Community Redevelopment Plan and has been a more passive pursuit until recently. While moving forward is now imminent due to increased traffic and safety concerns, implementing the improvements in tandem with the Florida Department of Transportation will be a years-long process. 
 
Each of the Commissioners expressed their sincere desire to respect Austin’s Coffee & Film, a notable institution, gathering place and incubator for aspiring and accomplished performing and visual artists. An owner of Austin’s and many devoted patrons expressed their shared hope that it would remain in its current location during the public comment portion of the meeting.
 
Other Meeting Highlights
The Commission will continue to meet both in-person and virtually at least until a recent 60-day extension to Governor DeSantis’ Declaration of Emergency expires in late April.
 
City staff is studying possible alternative locations to recommend to the U.S. Postal Service for the post office on New York Avenue.
 
The 26th Annual July 4th Celebration will be held on Monday, July 5, and will include several health  safety precautions for attendees in and around Central Park.
 
The request by McLaren Orlando to build a vehicle showroom on the former Orchard Supply property at 1111 South Orlando Avenue was approved upon its second reading. The Commission agreed to amend C-3 Commercial Zoning Code language to allow the vehicle sales showroom. A Conditional Use request was also approved. However, customer test drives of these high-powered vehicles will not be allowed on surrounding residential streets. McLaren will be required to use a specific test drive route, from their showroom on 17-92 to Orange Avenue to Princeton Street and to I-4 and back.
 
The Electric Vehicle (EV) Readiness Ordinances passed upon its second reading. These new ordinances set standards for charging stations in multi-family and non-residential parking lots and parking garages.