Windermere delays decision on 4th Corner annexation

WINDERMERE – Town leaders agreed to allow town staff more time to analyze the proposed idea to involuntarily annex the ‘4th corner’ into the Town of Windermere during the April 10 council meeting.

The northwest corner of the Apopka-Vineland and Conroy-Windermere intersection, also known as the 4th Corner, has been the subject of much discussion in recent weeks. 

Tavistock Development proposed a development plan that proved unpopular with local residents. In response to the strong opposition, Tavistock has since withdrawn the plans it had been considering for the northwest corner and plans to revise its future plans, Windermere Town Manager Robert Smith said. 

As a result, Smith added, there is no immediate need to move forward on the proposal just yet, allowing town staff to perform more analysis on the involuntary annexation process and statutory requirements.

“It was decided to hold off on the annexation itself right now to give town staff more time to investigate a cost-benefit analysis, as well as to figure out, logistically, how we would be able to accomplish the annexation of the northwest corner,” Smith said. “And also to make sure we try to continue conversations with Orange County and Tavistock to make sure whatever is developed, or even if that corner gets developed, that's it's something that is close to what was agreed upon back in 1996.”

Rulon Munns, an attorney representing Tavistock Development, came forward during the public forum to notify the town notice that his client has hired legal counsel and fully intends to ensure their rights are protected during the process of involuntary annexation, assuming the town decides to go through with it.

“The attorney was there to state on behalf of his clients that they're willing to talk with the town, but ... they want to make sure their rights are protected if they are brought in involuntarily,” Smith explained.

According to a preliminary report analyzing what the town would need to do to get enough land and resident electors to ensure a successful involuntary annexation, the town would need to extend the potential annexation area to the north to Ron Denn Lane and the Down Acres Estate subdivision.

“If you're going to bring someone in involuntarily, you have to make sure that you have more land and more resident electors, and in order for you to do that, you have to make sure that its continguous and you meet those thresholds, and in order to meet those thresholds we would have to go north on Apopka-Vineland and annex in that area in order to bring it in involuntarily,” Smith said.

If Windermere does decide to move forward with involuntary annexation, the process will likely take about a year. But Smith emphasized the town has ample time to figure things out, particularly because the developer has yet to submit a formal application to Orange County. 

“We still have time to figure out which avenue to take, and I really don't see an immediate rush for us to go ahead and move forward with the annexation, but it's still on the staff to take a look and see what's the town's best options,” he said.

IN OTHER NEWS

• The Windermere Police Department Foundation – established when Officer Robbie German died in the line of duty – recognized sponsors and local crafter breweries Graham Chiropractic, Crooked Can, Windermere Brewing, Rockpit Brewing and Tim's Wine for their assistance in making the St. Patrick's Day Festival on March 17 possible.
• The HOA president of the Willows at Lake Rhea community reminded council members of the HOA's pressing need to have three road-resurfacing projects, (Willow Brick Road, Laurel Lane and Willow Gardens Drive) completed soon, as the roadways are in pretty bad shape. Town Manager Robert Smith said the town is waiting on potential funding sources to come in which might allow town staff to accelerate the timeline on said projects.
• Council members agreed to a purchase order that does not exceed $18,000 for equipment and installation of a new playground at Central Park, which was damaged during Hurricane Irma in 2017. Town staff is currently waiting on another quote to come in before making a determination on which company to choose. "We just wanted to make sure we replace what was there prior to Hurricane Irma," Smith said. 
• The town agreed to set the tentative and final public hearings for the Fiscal Year 2018-19 town budget on Sept. 6 and Sept. 20.