Town talk tackles restrooms, annexation

The town of Windermere recently hosted two virtual meetings to continue discussion on fencing and an access system at Lake Street Park, temporary restroom facilities at Town Square Park, and the annexation of the Chaine du Lac community.

CHAINE DU LAC ANNEXATION

A virtual public meeting first was held for residents in the Chaine du Lac community Monday, July 22, to discuss the possibility of annexation.

The annexation last was discussed at a Town Council workshop in May.

Chaine du Lac is located on 103 acres south of Lake Butler Boulevard and abuts the town limits to the west. The annexation would include not only the community’s homeowners association but also the entire area.

The Windermere proper town limit is 2.2 square miles, and Chaine du Lac would add about one-third of a square mile. 

According to data collected from the Orange County Property Appraiser in April, the community contains 74 parcels, 51 single-family dwelling units with an average parcel of about 1.5 acres and six vacant residential parcels measuring about 1.4 acres. There are 16 HOA properties and one agriculture exempt property. 

Town Planner Brad Cornelius said the town is essentially a built-out community with few vacant properties left in the area. Currently, the town has about 3,038 residents, with a total of about 3,250 residents estimated after build out. Chaine du Lac would bring in about 212 residents if annexed.

Although a consensus was reached by council members in May to move forward with the annexation, opinions were divided on whether a referendum for a vote by the town residents should be included as part of the process. 

The annexation is involuntary, which requires the approval of a referendum by 50% plus one by the registered voters within the Chaine du Lac area. 

Florida statutes state the town does not have to bring a vote before the residents in the town of Windermere, but they do have the option to do so if they would like. If the Town Council was to proceed with this route, both the Chaine du Lac residents and town residents would have to approve the referendum by a 50% plus one vote. 

Because only a few residents attended the meeting, the town plans to host another public meeting or two for the Chaine du Lac residents, as well as public meetings for the town of Windermere residents, in the near future.

LAKE STREET AND LAKE DOWN PARK

A virtual Town Council public workshop was then held Wednesday, July 24, where the possibility of adding an access system and fencing at Lake Street and Lake Down parks was discussed. 

At a previous Town Council workshop July 12, 2023, council asked staff to explore the option of adding a fencing and an access system at Lake Street Park, which is located at Fifth Avenue and Lake Street, and at Lake Down Park, which is located at Fourth Avenue and Magnolia Street.

“This required us to take a look at what the high water line would be and what type of authorization we might need from the Orange County Environmental Protection Division, depending on where that fence would sit and the high water mark,” Public Works Director Tonya Elliott-Moore said. “After going through that process, what we did finally determine was that as long as the fencing stayed above the high water mark, no permit from Orange County EPD would be required. We were fortunate to be able to come up with a plan that’s going to do exactly that, and we won’t then have to proceed forward with any of the permitting through them.”

Elliott-Moore said the fencing and access system would be the same as the system at the Fernwood Boat Ramp.

With fencing and gates, $20,850, and an access system, $8,340, the total cost for Lake Street Park would be $29,190.

With fencing and gates, $5,125, and an access system, $7,320, the total cost for Lake Down Park would be $12,445.

Elliott-Moore said it will take about six to eight weeks to get the materials in and schedule the installation.

At a public input workshop on May 8, residents asked that the item be brought before the Town Council for approval. 

After minor discussion by council members, the members opted to add the item to the Town Council August agenda for a vote. 

TEMPORARY RESTROOM FACILITIES

Also at the meeting Wednesday, July 24, council members discussed three options for temporary restroom facilities while waiting on the permanent restrooms to be installed. 

At a Town Council workshop last month, council members opted unanimously, with Council Member Andy Williams absent, to move forward with the bathroom portion of the Town Hall renovation plan as the timeline with the highest priorities for the rest of the renovations solidified. 

The permanent restrooms are estimated to take about eight to 12 months to complete.

Elliott-Moore said the town manager’s office has been receiving a large number of requests from residents asking for some kind of restroom facility, because they had lost the community room restrooms when the area was demolished.

Although staff had come back to council with a price for a trailer, Council Member Brandi Haines asked staff to take a look at a prefab restroom facility, similar to what is used at Bill Frederick Park near MetroWest.

Elliott-Moore reached out to the city of Orlando, which had piggybacked on a Lake County contract and used Leesburg Concrete Company for the prefab structure there. 

The cost the company provided was $116,228.72, which includes the price of engineering fabrication of the structure, plumbing fixtures, electric accessories, delivery, site crew, a crane and an operator.

However, Elliott-Moore said all site work would have to be completed through the town and its individual contractors, which could cost about $30,000 to $50,000 more. The town also would need to add a janitorial contract for service.

Another option, a restroom trailer, would cost $42,462 for a 12-month contract. If the town was to sign a 24-month agreement, there would be a 15% discount. The facility would be cleaned and pumped out once a week, and the town would need to add a janitorial contract for service.

Lastly, three deluxe portable toilets would cost $10,620 per year with weekly pumping service. The cost of only two would be $7,080 per year, and the town would need to add a janitorial contract for service.

Town Council Member Tony Davit asked if staff could explore the possibility of purchasing one of the portalets instead of renting.

“One of the concerns was that $46,000 is money just thrown down the drain,” he said. “My thought is if we purchase it then we can use it at events around town, not just here at Town Square Park.”

“Based upon the large investment that we’re going to have to make into restrooms, I would like to go just the least expensive way possible to meet the need, take the burden off the businesses and use whatever funds we would have spent on a more robust solution on the permanent restroom facilities and the Town Hall,” O’Brien said.

Council Members Williams, Davit and Mandy David also agreed.

The item will next go back to Town Council for final approval.