The Chamber tracked the progress of many important topics in 2020, economic recovery being chief among them. In 2021, we will continue to keep you informed of the Winter Park City Commission’s work, including their greatest hopes and challenges and those of Winter Park residents and businesses.

Here is a summary of the January 13 City Commission meeting:

Economic Recovery Strategies
January’s Festival Weekend road closure will occur this weekend. The community is encouraged to come out, keeping social distancing and safety in mind. Festival Weekends are just one of many strategies which help support merchants in the downtown shopping districts. Monthly Festival Weekend road closures will continue through April.

Orange Avenue Overlay District (OAO)
The City remains engaged in litigation associated with the proposed OAO. The Commission will continue to hold work sessions regularly in 2021, which they hope will lead to consensus and the re-adoption of the OAO. The city attorney recommended finalizing re-adoption with care and expedience.

City Manager’s Report

• A workshop will be held regarding historic-places designation.
• The City continues to work with state and county officials toward establishing a Covid-19 vaccination site in Winter Park.
• Staff will schedule a work session for commissioners to discuss strategic planning.

• Eminent domain was discussed as an option for acquiring properties on and adjacent to the intersection of Fairbanks and Denning. The extra space would allow the City to create a turn lane to help resolve the chronic traffic bottle neck leading to Highway 17-92. City staff will research it further to provide the Commission reasonable expectation as they continue to weigh their options to either 1) continue pursuing the purchase of these parcels, or 2) pursue acquiring them through eminent domain. 
• Staff recommended advertising a resolution to amend and re-adopt the affordable and workforce housing linkage fee schedule. They estimate that $250,000 might be generated per year toward either repairing existing structures or building new ones. The Commission agreed to Staff’s recommendation.
• Two redevelopment projects were proposed: Goodlives, LLC, and Maclaren Orlando, LLC. The Goodlives wellness center project on New York Avenue, adjacent to the post office, was approved, however commissioners requested additional streetscape details. The MacLaren project was tabled to allow the applicant and City staff to develop more acceptable language for Commission consideration. 
• The Micromobility Ordinance was approved. It outlines standards for bicycles, electric bikes and scooters operating on sidewalks and bike paths in the downtown business districts, and restrictions on commercially owned/rented devices and general operating speeds.