SO U T H W EST O RA N G E
Observer Windermere, Horizon West, Dr. Phillips
Courtesy of David Roark
A DISNEY LEGEND Next week, we remember Disney’s Bob Matheison.
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
VOLUME 5, NO. 15
YOUR TOWN CHAMBER TO HOST BIG ORANGE AWARDS The West Orange Chamber of Commerce is celebrating its accomplishments and triumphs with this year’s Big Orange Awards, to be held Friday, Jan. 31, at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, in Lake Buena Vista. The reception begins at 6:30 p.m., and the dinner and program start at 7:30. This year’s Big Orange Awards recipients are Dawn Willis, Chairman’s Award; Ken Harker, Sam Hovsepian Award; Pam Birdsong, Ambassador of the Year; Ellen Korbin, Mary Van Deventer “The Spirit of West Orange” Award; Winter Garden Heritage Foundation, George Bailey Award; Christian Service Center, Bert Roper Award; and Jim Karr, Danniel J. Petro “The Bright Future of West Orange” Award. Call the chamber at (407) 656-1304.
TREEBUTE SET TO BLOOM The town of Windermere and the Windermere Tree Board are gearing up for three days of environmental festivities later this month. The Windermere Garden Club will hold an Arbor Day celebration and plant a tree in Town Square at 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 16. Students from Windermere Union Church Preschool will sing songs and celebrate Florida’s Arbor Day. On Friday, Jan. 17, certification classes for tree climbers and arborists will be held in Windermere. Classes begin at 8 a.m. at Windermere Town Hall. The Windermere Tree Board will present the 16th annual Windermere Treebute from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 18, in Windermere Town Square. The Down Brothers Band will play throughout the day, Chief Todd Rowley will present a snake education program at 11, and there will be food, plants for sale and a tree climb for children. Treebute is open to the public and is a great way to learn about trees, enjoy the outdoors and celebrate Florida’s Arbor Day. PRSRT STD ECRWSS US POSTAGE PAID WINTER GARDEN, FL PERMIT NO. 81
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THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 2019
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From the booming Horizon West community and private school plans to a proposed sales tax referendum and new government buildings in the town of Windermere, here’s a look ahead at what’s happening in Southwest Orange in 2020.
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YOUR CALENDAR
MONDAY, JAN. 13
SEEING 20/20 IN 2020 3:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 13, at the Southwest Branch Library, 7255 Della Drive, Orlando. Don’t be blindsided in the new year! Create a clear picture for where you want to go with a vision board. Recommended for tweens and teens. (407) 835-7323. WEIGHTLESS 6 to 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 13, at Orlando Health Medical Pavilion – Horizon West, 17000 Porter Road, Suite 204, Winter Garden. The scale focuses your brain on numbers rather than on health. Join registered dietitian Lisa Cooper to uncover the truth about dieting and learn simple ways to improve how you look, feel and think. Class is free; space is limited. Call (407) 4073046 to reserve a seat.
TUESDAY, JAN. 14
CUISINE CORNER: BETTER CHOICES FOR THE NEW YEAR 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 14, at the Southwest Library, 7255 Della Drive, Orlando. Chef Emily Roy from Publix Aprons takes you on a culinary journey as she demonstrates how to make toasted carrot, ginger and turmeric soup. (407) 835-7323.
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 15
OrangeObserver.com
THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 2020
HEALTHCARE QUESTIONS: WHY AM I SO TIRED? Noon Wednesday, Jan. 15, online at ohlearn.adobeconnect.com/ sotired. Participants must log in and click “Meeting” then “Audio Setup Wizard” then “Next.” For information, call (321) 841-7234 or email jessica.Daly@OrlandoHealth.com.
NATURE WALK BOOK CLUB 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 15, at the Southwest Branch Library, 7255 Della Drive, Orlando. Do you enjoy taking a walk and love to discuss books? Join the Southwest Library for a casual walk followed by a lively discussion of the book “The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek” by Kim Michele Richardson. Attendees are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing and shoes. Light refreshments provided. Meet at the Southwest Library for carpool to a local park walking trail. Registration required. For ages 18 and older. In case of inclement weather, contact southwest@ocls.info or call (407) 835-7323. THE ART OF MEAL PREP 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 15, at the Orlando Health Medical Pavilion – Horizon West, 17000 Porter Road, Suite 204, Winter Garden. Join registered dietitian Lisa Cooper to learn about planning menus, preparing meals and providing nutritious options. Class is free. Call (407) 407-3046 to reserve a seat. WRITING WEDNESDAY 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 15, at the Southwest Library, 7255 Della Drive, Orlando. Writers of all types and levels are encouraged to attend this structured writing time and light refreshments in the reading area. (407) 835-7323.
THURSDAY, JAN. 16
FANTASTIC FAMILY FITNESS FIASCO 4 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 16, at the Windermere Branch Library, 530 Main St., Windermere. Get mov-
ing and work together with your family to complete challenges and have fun. (407) 835-7323. ‘YOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN’ 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 16, and Friday, Jan. 17; 2 and 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 18, at the Cypress Center for the Arts at Windermere Prep, 6189 Winter GardenVineland Road, Windermere. Horizon West Theater Company is presenting the show. For more, visit bit.ly/2Q1cffN.
FRIDAY, JAN. 17
GROCERY STORE TOUR 9 to 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 17, at a local grocery store to be announced. Do you know which foods are the healthiest choices? Do you know what to look for on a food label? Join an Orlando Health dietitian for a grocery store tour to learn how to navigate the aisles and make the healthiest choices for the family. Space is limited. RSVP required at (407) 407-3046.
MONDAY, JAN. 20
GROCERY STORE TOUR 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 20, at a local grocery store to be announced. Do you know which foods are the healthiest choices? Do you know what to look for on a food label? Join an Orlando Health dietitian for a grocery store tour to learn how to navigate the aisles and make the healthiest choices for the family. Space is limited. RSVP required at (407) 407-3046. TUESDAY, JAN. 21 LITTLE CHEF: CRAZY ABOUT CONGEE 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 21, at the Windermere
Library, 530 Main St. Little ones will use their scooping, mixing and layering skills to top off their classic Chinese rice porridge. (407) 835-7323.
FRIDAY, JAN. 24
LET’S EMBROIDER LEVEL 1 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 24, at the Southwest Library, 7255 Della Drive, Orlando. Start hand embroidery today. Learn the basics of using a hoop and needles to create running, back and cross stitches to create a beautiful sampler. (407) 835-7323. SUPERSTART! GAME CHANGER 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, Jan. 24, and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, at Lifebridge Church, 12120 Chase Road, Windermere. The SuperStart tour is about finding hope in those moments through God’s promises. This overnight event is for fourth and fifth graders. Cost is $70. For more, visit bit.ly/2r9G4Cx.
stories. Recommended for preschoolers. For more information, call (407) 835-7323.
SATURDAY, JAN. 25
WINDERMERE WINE & DINE 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, at Windermere’s Town Hall and terrace, 520 Main St. This annual event is held outside with music and dancing all night. Sample wines and food pairings from many of Central Florida’s finest eateries. While this year’s event currently is sold out, you can join the waitlist should more tickets become available. Visit windermerewineanddine. com.
ZOO ZEN 10:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 24, at the Southwest Branch Library, 7255 Della Drive, Orlando. It’s time for an introduction to yoga with zoo animals and friends! Learn fun movements as you go on a wild and magical journey full of movement and 324374-1
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THURSDAY, JANUARY ., 2020
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Attention to detail Last year, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings proposed a one-cent sales tax increase to combat traffic and transportation issues. But so far, few details have emerged about how that money will be spent. ERIC GUTIERREZ STAFF WRITER
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o combat the traffic, as well as address other transportation and infrastructure needs, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings proposed in May 2019 a one-cent sales tax increase to help fund Lynx, SunRail and other transportation and infrastructure needs in Orange County. “With all of the tremendous growth, I have kind of honed in on a sales tax as a potential solution or revenue source because it is, really, the only source that, I believe, can produce the type of revenues that could be transformative in our community when we talk about transportation,” Demings said during his District 1 Transportation Town Hall Dec. 10. The proposed increase would generate an estimated $600 million per year. Tourists and visitors would contribute 51% of the revenues generated by the proposed one-cent sales tax increase. Additionally, the tax would not be applied to essential food items, retail goods and services, prescription drugs or utilities. Although it’s no secret traffic and transportation woes plague the entire county, most of the residential development is occurring in West Orange. As new homes continue to sprout in the area and new residents continue to fill those homes, more vehicles hit the already-crowded and congested roads. So what do the local municipalities of West Orange want out of the proposed sales tax increase? DEVIL IN THE DETAILS
Following a series of town hall meetings, Demings plans to unveil this spring a plan on how the generated revenue will be used. West Orange leaders say that plan is essential for determining whether they will pledge support. Ocoee Mayor Rusty Johnson said he needs to know how much funding would go to the municipalities in Orange County. “The cities need to be able to have some kind of deal where we’d get money out of that (proposed sales tax) that would go towards — for instance — the roads,” Johnson said. “Ocoee Apopka Road needs to be widened. That’s the county’s (road), so we could take some of that money (from the sales tax) and help them widen Ocoee Apopka Road.” Windermere Mayor Jim O’Brien agreed. “While we understand the issues, the specifics have not been
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addressed with enough details in terms of what this brings to the table for municipalities and where we will see relief in development of infrastructure in a systematic way,” O’Brien said. “That’s our issue: We’re lacking in details. So, it makes it difficult for us to really weigh in heavily.” District 1 County Commissioner Betsy VanderLey said she is unsure whether she supports the proposed sales tax. “I have some concerns in that I haven’t heard a defined scope of exactly what it is we would address,” she said. “What’s the list of projects we would address? I’m uncomfortable addressing it with a penny sales tax for a fixed number of years without knowing what that list is because is that going to fund everything that we need. Until I hear that, I’m not going to be supportive of anything as undefined as this is right now. “We’ve got to have it defined, and we’ve got to have it defensible, and it needs to make sense in terms of what we’re going to address,” VanderLey said. So far, Demings said funding for SunRail and Lynx would come off the top of the revenues generated from the increase. Then, the county would consider funding toward transportation-related items as suggested by residents. “We would have to prioritize the list of projects that the towns and the cities would come up with,” Demings said. “Then we will create a proportionate-share methodology that would leverage the current capital improvement plans within their (municipality’s) respective jurisdiction. And so this would be new money that we want on top of what they’re already programming from.” Although funding for Lynx could potentially be a benefit to the West Orange, SunRail would not help the area at all. “Lynx is really the key for my district,” VanderLey said. “SunRail is not going to reach District 1. It’s not going to serve District 1. Not that it’s not valid where it is, but it’s a static line. Lynx is dynamic. Lynx can respond to changing job centers (and) it can
Eric Gutierrez
Orange County Maypr Jerry Demings proposed the sales tax increase in May 2019.
SHARE YOUR INPUT To share your thoughts by taking part in the Orange County Transportation Survey, visit surveymonkey. com/r/D2BNPFF.
respond to changing populations far more nimbly than any rail system ever will be able to.” NEED FOR REPRIEVE
Ocoee Assistant City Manager Craig Shadrix said West Orange has many needs related to connectivity of major roadways and thoroughfares. “The number of lane miles for a roadway is not proportionate to moving traffic — it’s how you disperse the traffic that moves traffic,” Shadrix said. “The network itself that we have out here needs major work. … There’s not a lot of great east-west roads through this region. There’s several new roads that need to happen, and then there’s several existing roads that need to become the arterial (roads) that they were intended to be.” Oakland Town Manager Steve Koontz said the proposed sales tax is a good opportunity to meet the transit and transportation needs of the county. He added that Oakland only has one county road that runs through it, County
Road 438/Oakland Avenue, which could benefit from some modern improvements. “(Oakland Avenue is) an older road — it’s been around for decades,” Koontz said. “If you were to build that road today, you’d probably build it to a higher standard. It would be more of a road that would connect the community. Right now, it’s just kind of a rural section, two-lane road. There’s sidewalks just on parts of it. There’s no real lighting on it. It really doesn’t (offer) that community kind of connection of a road that you’d really want in this day and age. “Transit-wise and regionalwise, there are some bigger picture things to look at,” he said. “What kind of transit opportunities are there to try and take some of those cars out of the road? … From a transit standpoint, we have no real presence of Lynx out here, so that’s another opportunity.” Winter Garden City Manager Mike Bollhoefer said many of the road systems in West Orange are failing. Despite the rapid growth in the area, there haven’t been many road or infrastructure improvements. “With Horizon West and all the building to the west in Lake County, they’ve had all this building going on for 20 years and significant arterial collector roads
have been built,” Bollhoefer said. “You’ve had 20 years of building without any significant improvements to infrastructure. Transportation, I think, is the area’s biggest problem. If done correctly, the road tax is a good thing — as long as we use it to fix those road systems that need to be fixed.” Bollhoefer added that more on and off ramps are needed at the major highways that run through West Orange. He also said the county should utilize other methods aside from traffic lights at intersections. “You have to be more innovative with your intersections,” Bollhoefer said. “It’s not always (just about) using traffic lights — use roundabouts.” Windermere Town Manager Robert Smith said the town is in need of relief from the traffic that runs through it. Much of the traffic and transportation issues the town experiences can be attributed to county development projects outside of Windermere’s jurisdiction. He added much of the traffic that runs through the town of Windermere is from individuals trying to get to the Horizon West area. “Horizon West is 4% of the entire county, and it represents 66% of the growth of the entire county,” Smith said. “We did a (traffic) study in 2017 … and what it showed and demonstrated was that 70% of the traffic that’s coming through town is coming from the Horizon West area. … We’re having to deal with other jurisdictional approvals, and that’s not fair to us because it’s our residents that are feeling the pain of (county) decisions. “The floodgates are not closing anytime soon,” he later added. “They’ve been opened, but it can be stopped.” O’Brien agreed. “For us, it’s pretty personal because what you see out here is life-changing to our community — it impacts the quality of life,” O’Brien said. “(The traffic) causes people to leave the appropriate arterial roadways and go off into the dirt roads to cut through. It decreases the quality of life we have here … that we try to protect.”
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Observer “If we are to build a better world, we must remember that the guiding principle is this — a policy of freedom for the individual is the only truly progressive policy.” Friedrich Hayek
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THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 2020
Playing catch-up Although the plan for Horizon West has not changed since it was conceived in the 1990s, no one could have anticipated the rapidity of the community’s growth. DANIELLE HENDRIX ASSOCIATE EDITOR
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ooking at Horizon West today, it can be hard to believe that just a few decades ago, there was nothing but abandoned orange groves. Horizon West’s framework policies were adopted into Orange County’s comprehensive plan in 1995, and each village within it was adopted between 1997 and 2008. Buildout has progressed from village to village, despite the downturn of the economy a decade ago. Some may see a rapidly growing community today and assume the vision for Horizon West has changed. However, Orange County District 1 Commissioner Betsy VanderLey said the plan has hardly changed. Rather, the growth is much faster than anticipated. “The plan was always there — it’s the velocity with which the plan is executing that I think is a bit of a surprise to everyone,” VanderLey said. WELCOME TO HORIZON WEST
In 1995, the original concept for Horizon West entailed nine villages and a town center on 38,000 acres. However, thousands of acres were removed from the Horizon West area by way of annexations and creation of the Lake Avalon Rural Settlement. The final concept consists of 28,000 acres containing six villages — Lakeside, Bridgewater, Town Center, Village F, Village H (aka Hickory Nut) and Village I. In total, they were approved for 40,282 units, making the projected population on buildout 100,705. Horizon West comprises 4% of Orange County, and it’s also one of the most unique areas of the county. Because there is a master plan, there are tools available for Horizon West that are not available elsewhere, VanderLey said. “When you think about the areas that are the most likely to grow and have the most kind of cohesive comprehensive plan, it’s always in the case of a large development with a master planner or a master developer in charge making one decision instead of a bunch of people trying to come to an agreement,” VanderLey said. “In terms of where you’re going to buy a house and what you want in place by the time it’s all said and done, a lot of thought has been given to the entire region for the Horizon West area that was just not available in other parts of the county that are being developed in a more piecemeal fashion.” Currently, Orange County planners estimate Horizon West is at about 52% buildout. Olan Hill, assistant manager in the Orange County Planning Division, said between single- and multi-family lots and units platted and built, there currently is a total of 21,292 — just more than half of the 40,282 units allowed by the original Horizon West Specific Area Plans. “That said, the 40,282 units anticipated by the SAPs is a maximum number, and some of those areas may be underdeveloped compared to the original entitlement maximums,” Hill said. “In looking at recent aerials, it appears Bridgewater and Lakeside are
This map, courtesy of Orange County, shows the conceptual location of each original village in 1996 and includes areas that were removed from Horizon West.
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nearly built out. Village F is nearly completely platted. The remaining entitlements are generally in the Town Center, Village H and Village I. In summary, we may be further along (than) the 52% would indicate.” THEN VERSUS NOW
Aside from the original concept downsizing from nine villages and a town center to six villages — including the town center — the plans and village frameworks have played out closely to what was envisioned, Hill said. There have been changes
because of the evolving market. Because Horizon West’s plan provided flexibility, developers could use Transferable Development Rights credits to decrease their maximum buildout. TDR credits are acquired by protecting wetlands and designated upland greenbelts, Hill said. “The biggest challenge has been recognizing important market changes and implementing necessary regulatory changes while continuing to adhere to the original Horizon West guiding policies,” he said. “Other than the slightly reduced buildout, the other notable change to the original plan is to the type of non-residential activity in the Town Center. (It) is still considered as the regional employment center for Horizon West and much of Southwest Orange County. However, with the approval and development of the Winter Garden Village at Fowler Groves, much of the retail or commercial activity planned for the Town Center was delayed or converted into other types of land use.” Other than that, each of the villages has been planned and approved according to the character provided by the original study. VanderLey added the plan for
BY THE VILLAGE LAKESIDE Acres: 5,202 Approved Units: 8,915 BRIDGEWATER Acres: 4,223 Approved Units: 10,450 TOWN CENTER Acres: 3,624 Approved Units: 4,870 VILLAGE F Acres: 2,551 Approved Units: 3,891 VILLAGE H (HICKORY NUT) Acres: 2,975 Approved Units: 6,548 VILLAGE I Acres: 2,129 Approved Units: 5,608 HORIZON WEST VILLAGES TOTAL Acres: 20,704 Total Approved Units: 40,282 Projected Buildout Population: 100,705
SOUTHWEST ORANGE OBSERVER
OrangeObserver.com
BY THE NUMBERS
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Percentage of Orange County that Horizon West comprises
6
Horizon West Villages
52
Current percent buildout of Horizon West
3,335
Multi-family units constructed in Horizon West as of 2019
17,958
Single-family lots platted as of July 2019
21,292
Total units platted/constructed in Horizon West as of 2019
28,000
Acres in Horizon West boundaries
40,282
Total units allowed by original Horizon West Specific Area Plans
100,705
Estimated population upon buildout
Horizon West is the same as it has been, but the differentiator is the growth of the economy in the area. “The original Horizon West plan anticipated that the growth would take place over decades,” she said. “Some of that growth took place in Horizon West before the downturn of the economy, and it was on pace to be good, healthy growth, but not quite the pace that we’re at right now. Then, it just stopped altogether during the downturn. But when it came back, it came back with such velocity that I really think it surprised everyone.” GROWING PAINS
Such velocity comes with challenges, many stemming from the disparity in timelines between building new homes and creating the infrastructure required to support a community. “Everybody that’s driven in that area will tell you that road construction and road improvements have not kept pace with building the homes, and part of that is just a natural disparity in timeline,” VanderLey said. “We fund our roads with impact fees, with ad valorem taxes, with gas tax, those kinds of things. Two of those — the gas tax and ad valorem — are lagging by a certain period of time, so we’re reacting to the cars that are already on the road to build the capacity for the future.” However, the necessary infrastructure must be funded before the county can build it. Revenue from the development has to be in place to implement the infrastructure and services. People deciding to move to the area isn’t a variable the county can control. “While I think people get frustrated that the roads are not completed and those improvements are not done, I think what they miss — because they don’t see anything visible — is that there are so many roads in design and getting ready to go out to bid and coming forward,” VanderLey said. The ballooning population also
Courtesy
An aerial of Horizon West in 1999, left, shows the beginnings of development in Horizon West. An 2019 aerial of Horizon West shows the community at 52% buildout.
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has posed challenges for Orange County Public Schools. “In the master plan, we have school sites that were provided, but we have definitely seen not only a change from townhouses going to multi-family and single-family going to townhouses — which cause density change — but we’ve seen a lot of multi-family compositions because of so many of the crises that have happened and the popularity of wanting to move to Central Florida,” District 4 School Board Member Pam Gould said. “Nobody could predict the popularity, but it’s the perfect storm,” Gould said. “We have jobs, tremendous potential for entrepreneurs who want to come here and start businesses … there’s plenty of work. … We’re very blessed, but it brings challenges.”
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Increasing traffic and the disparity between home and infrastructure buildout have been putting pressure on east-west connector roads, as well as rural roads. It’s not just plaguing West Orange County, either: South Lake County also is experiencing a development boom, and County Orange County Commissioner Betsy VanderLey said many people in both areas work in downtown Orlando. That poses a problem, because the only two viable east-west roads at the moment are State Road 50 and U.S. 192. It creates heavy traffic on these roads, as well as some back roads in Horizon West. That won’t be the case for much longer. In October, the Central Florida Expressway Authority Governing Board approved the Lake/Orange County Connector Project Development and Environment Study, advancing the project to production phases that include design and construction. The five-mile tolled expressway will provide a nonstop access route linking U.S. 27 in South Lake County to State Road 429 in West Orange. Design is expected to begin in this spring, with construction potentially beginning by the end of 2022.
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THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 2020
The cost of keeping Windermere dirty It’s hard work maintaining the town’s dirt roads, but Windermere hopes to create a master plan for its roadways. TIM FREED MANAGING EDITOR
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any attribute the downhome charm and feel of Windermere to its dirt roads — but those quaint paths carved in the dirt are the result of hardworking town staff. “There are some misconceptions about dirt roads — that they’re cheap and easy to maintain and that they’re good for the lakes,” Mayor Jim O’Brien said. “These are things that we’ve told ourselves for years and years and years. “The reality is the real reason we have sand streets is because when the town was being built the money and the funds were not there to pave the roads like everywhere else was getting paved,” he said. “It wasn’t a priority.” Windermere Town Council members were asked late last year to give feedback on the idea of selective paving for projects involving Bessie and Butler streets, but the council directed staff to keep the dirt roads as long as it makes fiscal sense. The town had previously done selective paving on Lake Street to reduce the impact of sediment draining into the lakes nearby. “Windermere has always had the community kind of feel to it, and I think the dirt roads have actually contributed to that, because it has that old Southern homey feel to it,” Town Manager Robert Smith said. “The council at that meeting made the determination, ‘You know what? We want to maintain that as much as possible.’” The town chose to stick with
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the roads that give Windermere that special feel, despite the hard work it takes to shape the roads and manage stormwater. The elements can make maintenance difficult, Smith said, adding that paving would technically be easier and more cost effective. “As far as perpetual maintenance is concerned, (paving is) less costly over the long term,” Smith said. “It might cost you more in the beginning, but as far as the maintenance, it’s going to lessen that, because you’re not out there every time a rain storm occurs.” MOVING TARGET
Public perception on the roads is ever-changing depending on the weather, Smith said. “During the rainy season, we get the calls of, ‘The roads are muddy and there’s standing water,’” Smith said. “What some people have to understand is the laws of physics apply here like they do anywhere else as far as water and sand equals mud. We can’t grade mud, it’s like rubbing your hands (through wet sand) at the beach.” The dry season brings its own challenges, too, Windermere Public Works Director Scott Brown said. When the dirt gets too dry, it resembles the dunes further up on a beach — that leads to some vehicles getting stuck on the roads, as well. Smith said the town is tending regularly to certain segments of the dirt roads that see washouts — large openings that form in the roads after heavy rainfall erodes the dirt. “These are several feet deep, to where vehicles can’t get through it,” Brown said. “These are public roads, so it’s a safety and general welfare (concern) to the general public, as well as to emergency resources.” The town also needs to consider the environmental aspects, Smith said. The dirt absorbs oils, gases and whatever gets into the roadway. Smith said the town wants to make sure the system percolates the stormwater quickly and then puts it into the right areas. “Water is going to push that sediment either into a retention area or — God forbid — into the lakes,” Smith said. “We want to prevent that as much as possible.” Segments of Bessie and But-
Tim Freed
Maintenance worker Caleb Cook and Public Works Director Scott Brown are part of the team that keeps Windermere’s dirt roads in good shape.
ler streets tend to frequently see washouts because they sit at a lower elevation, and water goes downhill. It can be especially dangerous at night, because the dirt roads aren’t lit. “We’ve had to tow cars out of areas that have been washed out, as well,” Smith said. “It’s a really big public safety issue, but we’ve done a great job on controlling some of those areas by making sure that we’ve placed an appropriate aggregate within that area.” DOWN THE ROAD
Smith said a master plan would help the town better maintain the roads and respond to washouts. The town plans to create a “typical section” of road that would demonstrate to the public what the roads are going to look and feel like, Smith said. “We’ve done a pretty good job over the last three to four years that we know where these issue areas are, so we try to stabilize them as much as possible, Smith said. “I think we’re at that point now where we need to come up with a master plan for the entire town when it comes to a typical section. Once we have that typical section in place, then we can come up with an overall master plan of how do we maintain these roadways — how to grade it, groom it, have a schedule on making sure that the swales are dug out to the appropriate depth that they were permitted for and that they’re cleaned out.”
O’Brien said residents may like the dirt roads, but that means the town has to reshape them in ways that effectively move stormwater to the correct areas. “Over time, (the roads) get lower and wider and they change,” O’Brien said. “It’s unique, and it separates us from Hamlin. It’s a cool thing, but it does come with those challenges.” A motor grader is used to direct the dirt to specific areas along the road. It can also level out new material to fill in holes. It’s all done to maintain the 3-inch crown on every dirt road, which allows rainwater to run off to the sides, Brown said. O’Brien said the town will need to add dirt to the roads in certain areas to better control the flow of water. It would cost the town at least $200,000 a year to build the dirt roads back up to the level they should be to create the crown shape, Smith said. “The cost would probably be variable between $2 (million) and $4 million for us to do that,” Smith said. “We’d like to focus on a typical section and work from there as opposed to just throwing dirt on a roadway without a plan.” When it comes to the cost of paving a road, hypothetically, it all depends on the width of the road, the type of aggregate and other variables, Smith said. “Some people say it’s a million dollars a mile for a paved roadway,” Smith said. “It’s not that much.” Smith said a roads master plan
would involve creating a capital improvements program, followed by focusing on the areas of most concern. “This is not a five-year fix or a 10-year fix; this is probably a 15- to 20-year fix,” Smith said. “It’s going to be an ongoing thing, but our goal is to create a typical section that is a dirt road with a swale system that adequately distributes the stormwater where it needs to go and hopefully reduces the amount of perpetual maintenance.” Smith said he hopes to see the pilot projects for the typical sections moving forward in early spring. WORTH IT IN THE END
The town’s winding dirt roads are part of what gives Windermere its identity, said Smith, adding it’s what sets it apart from anywhere else in Orange County. “We’re like Mayberry in Orange County — it’s what draws people to Windermere,” Smith said. “I think what council committed to is we understand the uniqueness and the specialness of the dirt roads for downtown Windermere and it’s something we’d like to preserve, but we want to do that in an effective way,” O’Brien said. “Sometimes, doing what people want is not always the easiest thing to do, but it doesn’t mean you don’t do it,” O’Brien said. “We work it out. We serve at the pleasure.”
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THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 2020
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Talk of the town The new year marks the start of construction on Windermere’s brand-new municipal complex to replace the current, aging setup. ASSOCIATE EDITOR
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mall-town charm, plentiful tree canopies and rich history all are part of what makes the town of Windermere the little oasis it is. The town continues to maintain its historic roots while adjusting to the growing population surrounding it. However, the new year also marks the beginning of some improvements. In 2020, Windermere residents and visitors will see the landscape change a bit as the town begins construction of brand-new administration, public works and police facilities. Assessment of the current town facilities and talks of necessary improvements have been underway for years now. In August 2014, discussion ramped up regarding whether the existing buildings would be refurbished or torn down and rebuilt. After a referendum failed in 2016, voters approved a second version in March 2019. The new referendum allows the town to borrow up to $5.2 million for the new Windermere Municipal Complex. In December, the Town Council approved the loan.
SET UP FOR SUCCESS
At 104 years old, the existing town office complex never was meant to serve in its current capacity. The buildings were constructed as a schoolhouse in 1916, and in 2000, the schoolhouse was converted to town offices. The complex includes four buildings: one for the town administration, clerk and finance department; another housing the public works supervisor office and storage; a third with commercial rent space; and the fourth serving as the police department, connected to the Elizabeth Parsons School of Dance. The public works storage yard and facility are located south of the police department. But the old buildings have seen better days. The building housing the police department displays the storied charm characteristic of Windermere, but it’s not ideal for
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The public works building will be 2,554 square feet, the police department will be 5,445 square feet, and the town administration building will be 3,000 square feet.
police headquarters. There are no holding cells, and noise from the adjacent dance studio can penetrate the thin walls. With the loan, the police department — along with town administration and public works — soon will have a home that is modern, secure and up to code. And at a 2.1% rate over 20 years, Smith said, town staff is confident the loan has been secured under the best rate and terms possible. “This is really a culmination of at least five years of hard work,” Smith said. “For the five years, we’ve not only been educating people on the need but letting them know that it’s just not an investment just to get nicer facilities, but it’s also an investment in the community because your heart and soul of your community is pretty much your town administration, police department and stuff like that.” Mayor Jim O’Brien said the decision to move forward with new town facilities also is beneficial not only today but also for 50 years into the future. “It’s about setting ourselves up and making sure we have the right tools and the right facilities and we can attract the right staff for the future of Windermere,” O’Brien said. THE GAME PLAN
In December, the Town Council approved moving forward with the first design option. It consists of the administrative offices and police department connected by a lobby. The public works building
will be directly to the west. It’s imperative to stay within the budget, Smith said. The town will be using a construction manager at risk, who will deliver the project within a guaranteed maximum price. This ensures the town won’t have to spend anything over what leaders voted to allocate. “What’s so awesome about this is it’s good leadership and stewardship, and I think we’ve earned the trust of the residents,” Police Chief Dave Ogden said. Included in the 3,000-squarefoot town administration building are offices for the town manager, town clerk, human resources and financial directors, as well as a conference room and an open area with workstations. The new, 5,445-square-foot police department includes space for records, patrol, a community and training room, multipurpose and weapons storage, lockers, a break area, evidence storage and offices for the chief and deputy chief. Additionally, there are workstations for sergeants and detectives. For the 2,554-square-foot public works department, building space includes offices for the foreman and director, a break room and space for mechanical and electrical. There also will be a 5,180-square-foot public works yard. Smith said staff is working on a plan for temporary facilities while also working on the new facilities. The current projected timeline is end of May or June for demolition of the old municipal complex, he said, and construction should take 10 to 12 months. If all goes to plan, the new complex could be ready for move-in by summer 2021. “Throughout this process, there will not be any change in level of service,” Smith said. “There’s no road closures or anything like that. If there are, it would be very, very slight and temporary, maybe for
WHAT ABOUT THE TREES? Windermere staff and the design team know how important the town’s trees are and have acquired an arborist tree survey to identify tree issues and methods to protect the trees on the construction site. The concept design allows some leeway in shifting buildings to save trees, and construction documents address tree preservation and protection. Some trees already have been identified as needing to be removed, including one south of the police department that has its root structure under the existing building.
delivery of materials. “It does look exactly like these current facilities,” he said. “Onestory (buildings), that charm, that feel, that character of the town. We want to make sure we maintain that.” NEW AND EXCITING
“Our entire team’s ecstatic,” Ogden said. “I remember the day of the vote, we had … our officers actually sitting on the porch of the police department waiting for the vote. They were that excited about it.” He added that town staff and council members were pleased to be able to get the support of the community on ensuring the town has the proper facilities needed to serve the community, which also will assist in attracting the right staff to do so. “Just like a lot of the improvements we’ve made with the police department, that comes through hard work, professionalism, caring about your people and making sure they have the right tools to do their job every day,” he said.
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Along with new buildings in the works, the police department also is gearing up for giving back to the community in multiple ways through the Windermere Police Foundation in 2020. On Feb. 8, the foundation will host its second Sleep in Heavenly Peace bunk bed build. The total cost to build 40 beds is $7,000, and the foundation has raised $4,000 thus far. Those who want to volunteer or donate can email Lori Sipek at lsipek@town.windermere.fl.us. The foundation’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Festival in honor of fallen officer Robbie German takes place March 14. New this year will be the foundation’s first scholarship, which will sponsor new police officers to attend police academy. “It’s pretty impressive what we’ve done with that foundation,” Police Chief David Ogden said. “We’ve really given back to this community with the funds that we’re raised. … It’s all done in honor of Robbie German, but it’s all done to kind of promote that collaboration and unity amongst the residents. That extends further than the town of Windermere. We’ve really been involved in a lot of great philanthropic things in this area.” The foundation also provides training to various police departments, along with Windermere’s own, on topics such as self care, disability awareness, mental health and other important issues.
DANIELLE HENDRIX
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WINDERMERE POLICE FOUNDATION
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OrangeObserver.com
THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 2020
Demand > supply With its myriad lifestyle options and price points, West Orange real estate should remain strong in 2020. MANAGING EDITOR
L
ocal Realtors and experts agree West Orange County will continue to be a hot real estate market through 2020. With lower interest rates and the desirability of the West Orange area remaining high, Reese Stewart, 2020 president of the Orlando Regional Realtor Association, said the market still will be abuzz. “West Orange County is probably one of the hottest areas in Central Florida,” Stewart said. “The reason for that is the features in proximity, like the major appointment hubs, the shopping and dining areas. There’s also a mix of homes — anywhere from luxury homes to affordable homes, and all
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the construction going on is adding to the overall inventory. That’s what we see is going on there in West Orange County.” There’s still activity all throughout the area — from Winter Garden and Ocoee to Windermere and Dr. Phillips. West Orange is facing lower inventory, but that’s because of the extreme desirability of the area, Stewart said. “What we’re going to anticipate out there is the high demand for homes in the West Orange area,” he said. “It’s going to drive lowerprice homes up in value.” Many ZIP codes also did see a drop in sales from 2018 to 2019, according to statistics from the Orlando Regional Realtor Association. Between the months of January and October, Winter Garden saw sales drop from 1,298 in 2018 to 1,124 in 2019. Windermere saw a similar drop during the same timeframes — from 849 to 786. HORIZON WEST
Tracey Forrester, of Xcellence Realty, said there’s something for everyone in Horizon West — an area that will continue to see a hot market in 2020. “Horizon West is going to continue to be a hotbed for people wanting to move into the area, whether they’re coming in from out of town or even local surrounding areas,” Forrester said. “It just
The home at 6019 Greatwater Drive is on the market in Windermere.
offers so much. The rental market is hot, with all the apartment complexes going (in) because they have amenities that are incredible.” There’s a broad range of homes in the area for buyers — from townhomes in the mid- to high$200,000 to $300,000 range all the way to single-family homes between $300,000 and $1 million. “Townhouses are definitely on the rise — a lot of builders are building townhomes, which might actually help with the affordability factor in this area because a single-family home for a first-time homebuyer might not be in a lot of people’s budget,” Forrester said. “But they can still be in the area and own a home by capitalizing on the townhomes.” Of course, Disney is a huge draw to the area, but so are the schools, Forrester said. “Even though we’re overcrowded right now, people still want to be in the area because the school system is so highly rated,” she said. “That’s why they’re pushing up the (relief) high school to 2021, because of the growth. People just want to be in the area.”
Courtesy photo
Inventory is tight — the lowest it has been in some time, she said. “In 2020, we’re going to continue to struggle with inventory,” she said. “The builders are building — it just doesn’t seem fast enough for the amount of people that are wanting to move into the area. … The timeframe to build a home just seems to be increasing from a four-month timeframe to a six- to eight-month timeframe.” Prices should increase slightly in 2020 but remain realistic for potential buyers, Forrester said. WINDERMERE
The town of Windermere should still boast a hot market in 2020 as well, said Mark Hide, of Winter Garden-based Clock Tower Realty. “There’s really not so much new construction in Windermere — a few pocket new communities — but a lot of the homes in Windermere are predominantly higher price,” he said. Statistically, Hide said there were 284 homes on the Windermere market as of Monday, Jan. 6, and 66 sold in the month of December,
translating to a 4.3-month supply, Hide said. “It’s not selling as quick, but I think that’s really because of the price point,” Hide said. “If you look at homes that are over $500,000 out of those 284, 207 are over $500,000. The higher you get in the price point on a home, the longer it’s taking to go on the market, hence they are taking a little bit longer to sell. If you’ve got a fourmonth supply of homes, that’s less than the six-month (supply) — or what would be deemed to be a normal market. It’s still a good market.” “Back when we had the (Great Recession), we were having a yearplus (supply) of homes,” he said. “They were selling at such a slow rate — it would take you a year to sell everything.” Hide said the feel of Windermere — with its cozy, gated communities and nature — still has a strong appeal to many buyers looking in a higher price point. “Windermere has always had that prestigious (feel) with the downtown and the older homes there and the lakes,” Hide said.
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Girls volleyball continues to be one of the most popular sports among female athletes at the high school level.
‘Anything you can do, I can do better’ With the rise of social media and female empowerment, high schools across the country have seen a spike in female athletes. TROY HERRING SPORTS EDITOR
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hen junior Armelle Oliantus first arrived at Dr. Phillips High School, she saw an opportunity in athletics. Growing up, she remembers people telling her she was fast, and from there, an interest in track was born. It was an undertaking she believed would be worth the time she devoted to it. Fast forward three years, and Oliantus has dabbled in multiple sports — specifically track and weightlifting — and it’s all because of the inspiration she felt when she first stepped on campus. “Lately, the girls sports have dominated more than the male sports in almost everything,” Oliantus said. “So when I first started high school and I saw that, it made me more passionate, and I had more of an urge to do it.” More opportunities — and getting the chance to see girls show that they were just as competent in sports as the boys — led Oliantus on her path, and she is not alone. Despite overall participation numbers declining across
Of the country’s 7.9 million high school athletes, more than 3.4 million are girls.
the country’s high schools, girls sports are thriving. According to the annual High School Athletics Participation Survey conducted by the National Federation of State High School Associations, of the 7.9 million athletes competing during the 2018-19 school year, more than 3.4 million were girls. In general, girls sports across the board have seen an uptick in participation, with volleyball (6,225 more participants), soccer (3,623
more participants) and lacrosse (3,164 more participants) seeing the biggest jumps. Meanwhile, girls wrestling jumped 27% and now has almost 22,000 participants. There’s no definitive answer as to what led to this jump in girls sports at the high school level, but there are a few trends that local coaches, trainers and athletes have noticed. EXPOSURE
The rise of social media platforms
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such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram has changed the world in many ways, and that includes athletics. Years ago, all the public could see about athletes came from television and in news articles. But now, it sees everything — including how they work out, said Micah Kurtz, director of sports performance at Windermere Prep. The influence of social media has been prominent — especially as it relates to the growth of young female athletes looking to work out. “People are posting their workouts, and social media gives you more of an inside look at these athletes’ (lives) like never before,” Kurtz said. “So now you’re seeing so much of their life. … More people are seeing what they are doing behind the scenes. They want to be like them, so they want to train like them.” Instagram stands out the most for athletes such as Oliantus. There, she can see photos and videos of athletes going through their training routines and workouts. “I literally just typed a weightlifter named Stefanie Cohen, and I looked her up, because my anatomy teacher — he does CrossFit — was telling me about (her), and I looked at her Instagram, and it was cool to me,” Oliantus said. “And now it’s like every time I go to Instagram, bodybuilders pop up, and then I’ll also look up track runners. So it’s like every time I open Instagram, the stuff I looked up comes up — I don’t even have to search for it.” Along with social media, a big part of the rise of sports has been television — especially organizations such as ESPN. Budding athletes can stumble across a dozenplus channels — all dedicated to sports. With such a selection, there now is far more access to sports and games than there was 15 years ago. During the 1990s, the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team won two World Cups (1991, 1999) and included some of the greatest female players in the history of the sport. Still, once the tournament was done, they went back into a general obscurity. Things have changed dramatically. The women’s team has won multiple World Cups since 2015, but now they’re in daily conversations and at the forefront of the sports world while the men’s team lags behind — why? It’s a combination of winning and exposure, and it’s in turn helped grow the girls game at the high school level, said Foundation Academy girls soccer coach James Grosshans. “Mia Hamm — who was probably one of the best women’s soccer players — she didn’t have access to the majority of being put out there and getting her story put out there during that time,” Grosshans said. “Megan Rapinoe, Alex Morgan and Hope Solo — all of those women are huge. People are not only following their careers, they’re following their life now.”
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THURSDAY, JANUARY ., 2020
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EMPOWERMENT
When the Education Amendments of 1972 were passed by Congress, Title IX was among one of the statutes established. The federal civil rights law was put into place to protect people from discrimination based on gender in education programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance — which includes high school and collegiate athletics. “Now that we have things like Title IX — and Title IX might be a pain for some people — but it really protects female athletics and makes sure that we do have a somewhat, not completely, fair playing field,” Dr. Phillips girls volleyball coach Emily Loftus said. Unlike in the past, many prominent female athletes are now vociferously sharing their concerns regarding issues such as equal pay and body shaming. “Not everybody agrees that the (female) empowerment should be as strong as it is, but it is — in turn — affecting female athletics,” Loftus said. THE FUTURE
There’s no denying that female athletics is in better shape now than it was 30 years ago, but it’s still not where many believe it should be, Loftus said. There’s a lot of work to be done, and one way is to continue to promote women’s athletics on the national stage by sports platforms like ESPN. “I see more female news reporters, and we now have ESPNW as a social platform,” Loftus said. “It needs to become more common to see female athletics in the forefront, and female athletes being successful.” Other means of promoting female athletes is just by simply having athletic departments and schools support their athletes, Loftus said. And then there’s the most basic option: inspire girls and women to just work hard and do what you have to do. “If you want females (athletes) to get to the levels of the boys, or you want the boys to get to the levels of the girls, it’s hard work,” Oliantus said. “ I feel like if you truly want it in your heart, you should put hard work into it, and your hard work will pay off in the end.”
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OrangeObserver.com
THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 2020
Relief effort Another relief school is on the way for West Orange County this year, while others find creative ways to manage overcrowding until relief schools can be built.
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SUMMERLAKE
Students in the Summerlake neighborhood and surrounding area will attend their new school once the 2020-21 school year begins in August. Site 85-E-W-4 is located at 15450 Porter Road, Winter Garden, and will relieve Independence, Keene’s Crossing and Water Spring elementary schools. The $24.3 million school is situated on 14.8 acres just east of Summerlake Park Boulevard, with Orange County National Golf Center and Lodge to the west. According to site plans, the twostory building totals 92,142 square feet. There is room for 116 parking spaces and a car queuing area that can hold 176 cars. Parents, staff and visitors will enter off Porter Road, while the buses have a separate entrance off Wood Sage Drive.
SCHOOLS AT A GLANCE 85-E-W-4 15450 Porter Road, Winter Garden Relieves: Independence, Keene’s Crossing and Water Spring elementary schools 92,142 — Gross square footage 14.8 — Site size, in acres 837 — Program capacity 1,087 — Projected fall 2020 enrollment 20-E-SW-4 13225 International Drive, Orlando Affected schools: Sadler, Sand Lake, Shingle Creek, Tangelo Park, Waterbridge, West Creek and Winegard elementary schools 91,602 — Gross square footage 19.8 — Site size, in acres 837 — Program capacity 935 — Projected fall 2020 enrollment
Courtesy Craig Jackson with OCPS
This aerial of site 85-E-W-4, taken in December, shows the roofs all in place on the school. It is expected to be complete by June.
The school includes an administration office, a multipurpose/ cafeteria room, a media center, art and music labs, multipurpose labs, classrooms, a covered play area, an expanded parking lot and student drop-off loop, and more. There is a capacity of 837 students, and OCPS projects an enrollment of 1,087 upon opening in fall 2020. In December, all of the school’s walls were up and structural steel installation was underway. Additionally, all the roofs are on. The school is slated to be completed in June. As of mid-December, according to OCPS enrollment documents, the three schools surrounding site 85-E-W-4 all are overcrowded. As the fourth elementary school in the area, the new site will help accommodate the rapid growth that is causing overcrowding challenges in Horizon West.
Independence Elementary has a capacity of 786 students, Water Spring Elementary can serve 791 and Keene’s Crossing is capped at 812. Mid-December enrollment numbers have Independence at 1,131 students, Water Spring at 979 and Keene’s Crossing at 1,211. REZONING NEAR SAND LAKE
While another new elementary school — site 20-E-SW-4 — off International Drive is just outside of West Orange’s borders, Dr. Phillips’ Sand Lake Elementary will be affected by its opening in the form of students being rezoned from nearby Tangelo Park Elementary. Located at 13225 International Drive, Orlando, this school will impact zoning for seven nearby elementary schools — Sadler, Sand Lake, Shingle Creek, Tangelo Park, Waterbridge, West Creek and Winegard. Orange County
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n 2019, West Orange — and specifically Horizon West — welcomed three new schools. Horizon West Middle relieved Bridgewater Middle, while Castleview and Water Spring elementary schools did the same for Bay Lake, Sand Lake, Keene’s Crossing and Independence elementary schools. Having nearly 214,000 students enrolled, Orange County Public Schools is the eighth largest school district in the nation and the fourth largest in Florida — behind Miami, Broward and Hillsborough counties. That figure includes the district’s projected increase of 4,000 students for the
2019-20 school year. For the 2020-21 school year, one new elementary school will open to help accommodate the West Orange area’s growing student population. Another coming to the International Drive area will affect zoning for Sand Lake Elementary in Dr. Phillips. Other schools, such as Dr. Phillips and Windermere high schools, still have a bit longer to wait for relief and are being creative with temporary solutions to ease the impacts of overcrowding.
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DANIELLE HENDRIX
SOUTHWEST ORANGE OBSERVER
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GROWING PAINS
Although Windermere High opened just two years ago, it already has been facing the issue of overcrowding exacerbated by Horizon West’s rapid rate of growth. The school was built with a capacity for 2,776 students, but as of mid-December had an enrollment of 3,943. Dr. Phillips High, with a capacity of 2,798, currently serves 3,785 students. Both have relief high schools on the way — and both relief schools already have been pushed up to 2021. However, it means another one-and-a-half school years of managing overcrowding. At Dr. Phillips, there is the benefit of the old ninth-grade center to help offset overcrowded lunches. The center provides another cafeteria space, alleviating the issue of students not having adequate space to eat. Additionally, the campus also had room for more core structure. “Because of the way that school was originally laid out — how old it is and how it expanded its footprint over time — it’s just been more manageable,” Gould said. “We added an administration building there when we did the renovations, so they ended up with more core structure there. Of course it’s (also) more of a spread-out school — it doesn’t go vertical like Windermere High
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IN THE ZONE If you live in the Horizon West area and have — or may have — a student enrolled at Independence, Keene’s Crossing or Water Spring elementary schools for the 2020-21 school year, take a look at the zoning map to find your child’s school. With site 85-E-W-4 opening this fall, the school your child is zoned for this school year may change. Those in the Dr. Phillips/ International Drive area can visit an interactive zoning map at bit. ly/2QMyC8W and type in their address to see if the opening of site 20-E-SW4 will impact their children.
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does — so you have a larger footprint for the school there.” But for Windermere High, staff and administration have to get a little creative to find temporary solutions. Even with adjusting the schedules, students at the school still experience the effects of overcrowding at lunchtime. Gould said the same issue occurred at West Orange High before Windermere opened. Solutions included adding more tables and places where students could eat lunch, as well as expanding lunch hours and even bringing in food trucks. In general, Gould said, managing the student population until relief arrives includes adding staff, portable space and more choices in extracurricular activities. “You just keep on delivering programs wherever you can and you have a really good team, as we do at Windermere High, to manage the crowds,” she said. “Then everybody feels like they’re getting what they need. … The other thing that Windermere had, which will be nice to get back to, is that collaborative space.” OCPS can only build schools when enrollment is sufficient to support an additional school and when fiscal resources are in place. There is no specific rate or formula that determines when a school will be relieved. “OCPS does not have adequate funding to build schools before they are needed, but aims to make the best use of available dollars by opening new schools when there are enough students to fill them,” Roth said. Since Gould was elected, the growth in Horizon West has spurred the need to push up multiple relief schools in District 4. The half-penny sales tax has made much of this possible. Things are moving fast, Gould said, but it’s still not fast enough. “We are moving as fast as we can with the money we have,” Gould said. “People don’t recognize the really incredible amount of schools we’ve built compared to any other county in the state.”
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District 4 School Board Member Pam Gould said although the Dr. Phillips and International Drive areas are not growing at as quickly a pace as the Lake Nona and Horizon West areas, the growth is still there. “If you go back to county planning and look at residences, all of that originally was going to be timeshare and hotels — (almost) all of it is converting to residences,” Gould said. “There are large chunks … that (were) converted into residential, so we were already getting crowded with a lot of the new development and generational changes happening along the Central Florida Parkway area.” Sand Lake Elementary has a capacity of 768 students. And although it currently only has 517 as of mid-December, part of that is because Castleview Elementary contributed to some of the relief for the 2019-20 year. Lauren Roth, senior manager of of facilities communications at OCPS, said that some Tangelo Park students will be rezoned to Sand Lake to redistribute enrollment and prevent site 20-E-SW-4 from opening overcrowded. OCPS projects an enrollment of 625 at Sand Lake and 935 at site 20-E-SW-4 for 2020-21.
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PRIVATE SCHOOLS
n Central Florida Christian Academy n Central Florida Preparatory School n The Crenshaw School n Family Christian School n The First Academy n Foundation Academy n Holy Family Catholic School n Light Christian Academy n Montverde Academy n Victory Christian Academy n Windermere Preparatory School
HOW THEY DIFFER THE FIRST ACADEMY “A lot of schools do academics to a high level of excellence, whether they’re public or private, and then some other schools do the spiritual formation side — which is really the social, emotional intelligence side — to a high level. What really sets us apart is there’s really not anyone that’s doing both to the highest level of excellence as us. The First Academy is committed to the best in academics with the best in spiritual formation.” — Sarah Donovan, senior director of advancement and parent relations FOUNDATION ACADEMY “We’re not just educating you for the sake of saying you’re educated. We’re educating you from the inside out. I would say genuinely we have good kids. They’re being trained not only how to use knowledge but they’re also trained in wisdom. … I think as a parent we’re always thinking about ‘What’s my son or daughter receiving at school?’ To be quite honest with you, they’re getting everything, because we’re building them from the inside out.” — Joe Cioffi, director of marketing and communications
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THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 2020
The private school experience TIM FREED MANAGING EDITOR
A
new year means plenty of change on the horizon for West Orange C o u n ty ’s p r iva te schools. Many residents move to the area to give their children an education within Orange County Public Schools, but there also are many families that prefer something different — whether it’s a faith-based education or being part of a global campus. From constructions plans to exciting new programs, local private schools have plenty of plans for 2020.
Private schools in the West Orange area have turned their attention to the new year with plans to expand campuses and programs.
THE FIRST ACADEMY
One of the most significant changes on the horizon for the faith-based The First Academy will be the opening of a new dining space called Gather. “It’s basically going to be a brand-new cafeteria setting for the students that will also be a hub of the campus for parent meetings, student meetings, fellowship with one another — a great central spot for people to gather and have community on campus,” said Sarah Donovan, senior director of advancement and parent relations at The First Academy. Gather, which will have an indoor and outdoor space, has been almost completely funded after six weeks and tentatively will open in August. The building will be located in the center of campus between the upper school and Natalie Thomas Gym. “We’re a development school, which means that we build our campus through givings and we had a goal of $600,000 and we’re almost to that goal,” Donovan said. “We’ve got really stronghearted families that want to give and want to see the campus continue to grow.” Historically, students have dined at First Baptist Orlando on campus, but recently the school transitioned to having students eat in the gymnasium. “Now, the gym will go back to
The First Academy soon will unveil a new strategic plan.
being a true athletic facility again, and this will be able to phase into a dining space for the students,” Donovan said. A new strategic plan also is set to be unveiled in summer 2020. “(There are) some really big, not only campus additions, but program additions for The First Academy,” Donovan said. “Look for things to come with the strategic plan, because it will unveil a lot of what we’ll be doing, how we’ll be growing the campus and our program offerings of the next five to 10 years. “Our head of school has met with over 200 representatives and he continues to meet with them, so students, parents, alumni, teachers, staff — that strategic plan is a compilation of all of their feedback,” she said. “There’s a strong vision for 2020 and beyond as we begin this new decade.”
WINDERMERE PREP “Our big tagline is ‘Preparing the next generation of global leaders.’ We take the global aspect of that quite seriously. … It’s quite enriching for the kids. … We live by a three-part creed — three Latin terms — which is unitas, veritas and virtus. Unitas stands for unity; veritas stands for truth through knowledge, which is learning, and virtus is about character or the type of person you are.” — Steven Lyng, head of school Windermere Prep plans to expand several of its programs.
FOUNDATION ACADEMY
Families at Foundation Academy can expect construction in the near future — specifically at the Upper School campus for seventh through 12th grades. The school is heading toward expansion with a 17,000-squarefoot classroom addition that will have two science rooms, a band/ drama room and eight classrooms. There also will be a weight room added to the gymnasium. It’s an expansion meant to meet the needs of the growing number of students on the campus. The school has seen increases of at least 5% over the past four years, including an increase of 9% this year, said Michelle Campbell, director of enrollment at Foundation Academy. The design phase of the new classroom building and weight room has been taking place over the last 18 months, with construction likely starting in the summer,
FORESIGHT FOR
2 2
Dave Buckles, school president, said. “We’ve entered into a time where we are in for permitting for building expansion and master plan work — we’re just trying to prepare for what the future brings,” Buckles said. Foundation Academy also has future plans to construct a new cafeteria that will seat up to 400 students. Preliminary drawings are done, but the school hasn’t submitted for permits. “It’s something we’d like to get started — leadership is just determining the best time to get started with that project,” Buckles said. Carol Grosshans, vice president of education at Foundation Academy, said the school is looking to provide some new entrepreneurship and career-readiness courses. There’s more planned for Foundation Academy’s Lower School campus on Plant Street, as well. Grosshans said leadership is considering expanding after school programs, including a cooking class that doesn’t require stoves. At Foundation’s Lakeside campus, which started kindergarten this school year, first grade will be added later in 2020. “That’s been kind of exciting to see the progression of that — very excited families and interest out there to continue that program,” Grosshans said. “Down the road
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Foundation Academy has plans to construct a new classroom building, a weight room and more.
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27 Nothing more than character? 29 “Be quiet!” 32 Canyon edges 33 3.0, e.g. 35 Buoy the spirits of 36 Flagged down, as a cab 38 Sega hedgehog 40 Accounts 44 “Lovely” Beatles girl 45 Relative who’s a track tipster? 50 ___-bitty 51 Mouth, in slang 52 Welcome sight in a desert
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76 Political exile 78 Cartoon chihuahua 81 They’re often dipped in hummus 83 Massage therapist’s go-to liquid? 86 Laundry detergent brand 87 Stock market peaks 88 Eye color that may look blue 89 Uber drivers’ guesses (Abbr.) 90 Movie buffs who appreciate a Diesel flick? 95 Certain shark
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INDIAN RESTAURANT
The year 2020 marks the 20th year of Windermere Preparatory School — a school that is continuing to grow its programs to meet the needs of its students. “Windermere Prep is at a pretty exciting phase of its growth,” said Steven Lyng, head of school. “We’re planning through 2020 to have a variety of 20-year celebrations and recognitions.” Lyng said the student enrollment today sits at about 1,535 students, but the ultimate goal is to soon reach the 1,600 student mark. “At that point, we will be done enrolling students beyond that number, so as a school we’re coming into our final configuration,” Lyng said. One of Windermere Prep’s priorities is to continue to expand the collaborations currently in place with Massachusetts Institute of Technology, The Juilliard School and UNICEF. Students have the chance to learn from and communicate with experts, professionals and global change makers through Skype sessions, projects and more.
96 Skedaddle 97 Movie shots 98 Wheel on a chair 100 Go after 103 Business magazine 104 Artist Chagall 106 Masthead VIPs 107 Ma and Pa? 111 In the mood 114 Beer that goes well with fish? 115 Regret casting decisions? 120 Little bit of whiskey 121 Patriotic women’s org. 122 Least green, maybe 123 Nothing 124 Meddle 125 ID on a tax form 126 Hidden supply 127 Bend (over)
General Dermatology & General Skin Examinations
41 “That’s all false!” 42 Jazz great Fitzgerald 43 “The Magicians” network 45 “La-la” lead-in 46 Boathouse implement 47 As far as 48 German industrial city 49 With ferocious determination 51 Diamondback turtle 55 Journalist’s focus 56 They’re similar to antlers 57 Saying 61 “The Matrix” hero 63 “Blondie” boy 66 Do a wheel job 67 Fancy alternative to a kennel 70 Stir up 71 Sounded froggy? 72 Bleeps out DOWN 75 Classico competitor 1 Attorneys’ org. 2 “How Do You Sleep?” singer 77 Agenda entries 78 Guns, as an engine Smith 79 “From Head to Toe” author 3 The first “T” of TNT Carle 4 Study, for one 80 Prefix for bot 5 Ablaze 82 Where approximately 6 Flaky mineral 60% of people live 7 In the thick of 84 Discount rack abbr. 8 PC “brain” 9 “Siddhartha” author Hesse 85 Lil ___ X (“7” rapper) 87 People with short fuses 10 Suffix for towel 91 Tilts to one side 11 Discussion group 92 Aspen attire 12 Little Caesars ___ (Red 93 Elizabeth Warren or Wings’ venue) Kamala Harris, briefly 13 Crew races 94 Gets away 14 Ballet garment 98 Sing softly 15 Computer operator 99 TLX and NSX cars 16 Statue’s bottom 101 Book of maps 18 Prim and proper 102 Prow’s counterpart 19 Island rings? 104 “Beetle Bailey” creator 23 “Let’s see ...” Walker 25 Elite military unit 105 Pound sound 28 Plug in, as a phone 107 Half a fl. oz. 29 Maria in the Kennedy 108 It grows on you family 109 Catch a glimpse of 30 Person from Port-au110 Blows it Prince 112 Fit together nicely 31 Baseball lineup 113 Blue books? 34 Hawaiian dish 37 Apply, like a coat of paint 116 Antipollution org. 39 Classic Langston Hughes 117 Sense of self 118 P, in sorority names poem 119 Motor oil additive
OVERCROWDING Is the overcrowding in public schools in West Orange making private schools a better option? THE FIRST ACADEMY “There’s a definitely demand for it for those families that realize the value in a customized private education for their child. I think that families that see the value of us knowing their child, of helping their child pursue their talents and passions and leadership … there’s definitely a demand for that.” — Sarah Donovan, senior director of advancement and parent relations FOUNDATION ACADEMY “We do get a lot of parents that are a little frustrated with the numbers (in public schools). It might not necessarily be in the classroom, but there’s just so many students at the school in general they feel like their child gets overlooked. … I’m hearing that fairly consistently from parents who are coming.” — Michelle Campbell, director of enrollment WINDERMERE PREP “Interest in our school is as strong as it’s ever been. We feel really good about where we are. … I think demand is certainly strong, and we feel very good about that. “ — Steven Lyng, head of school
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Puzzle Two Clue: R equals F
WINDERMERE PREP
“From a program perspective, I think our school has reached a certain level of maturity,” Lyng said. “Where we’re actually seeing the most growth and expansion is with these collaborations.” Lyng added that Windermere Prep also hopes to expand new additions to the school, including the makers classes offered to middle school students and the computer science and robotics program for the high school students. “We remain committed to the International Baccalaureate diploma program as the centerpiece for our high school curriculum, but by the same token we have built a lab program in our Lower School, which is new this year,” he said. “That encompasses a maker space and robotics lab.” “I think the exciting thing that is really happening is — as these programs take root within our school, including the STEAM and robotics at multiple levels — we’re empowering student agency and we are empowering our curriculum to be more student-led and studentdriven,” Tiffany Alrefae, assistant head of school at Windermere Prep. “In a world that’s very testdriven, we know the value of these programs and how it will be the advantage for our students both in college and beyond.”
13
THURSDAY, JANUARY ., 2020
Puzzle One Clue: U equals N
we’re hoping to have more of those satellite schools that will feed in to our campus here for seventh through 12th grade.”
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01-09-20
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SOUTHWEST ORANGE OBSERVER
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MARCIA LYNN HARRIS DIED WEDNESDAY, DEC. 18, 2019.
WEST ORANGE OBITUARIES
OrangeObserver.com
THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 2020
Marcia Lynn Harris passed away Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2019. A proud graduate of Stetson University, Marcia was a lifelong resident of Central Florida, born in Orlando on July 14, 1954. Preceded in death by her mother, Ann Harris, Marcia is survived by her father, Phil Harris and her sisters, Nila Harris and Raenelle Bailey. Marcia was an exceptional and vibrant woman with an artistic mind and curious soul, always up for the next adventure or road trip. She loved beautiful things and thrift store shopping; the sight and sound of the beach; the glow of a full moon; the gorgeous views of Maine; the soul of Italy; the rugged, wide-open spaces of Jackson, Wyoming; and all things British.
She was warm, generous and funny — curious beyond measure, smart as a whip and never met a stranger. Her unique perspective and intelligence were a gift. She had few boundaries, holding little back in the way she loved or what she thought. She was an exceptional dinner party host and guest, able to create beautiful settings from whatever was present and ask unique questions that generated revealing stories and entertaining conversations.
CHIE NUMAJIRI LANGLEY DIED DEC. 21, 2019
Chie Numajiri Langley, 91, of Minneola, Florida, passed away Dec. 21, 2019, peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family. Chie was born June 15, 1928, in Yubari, Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan. She and her family migrated to Otaru during World War II, where they lived until the end of the war. Post-war, they moved to Tokyo to find prosperity and help with the post-war efforts. Chie was married to Robert “Bob” Langley June 8, 1955, in Tokyo, Japan. Bob was stationed in Tokyo as part of his 21-year service to the United States Marine Corps. After marriage, they set sail together for the United States, where they remained married for 61 years, until Bob’s death in 2017. Theirs is a love story to which no fairy tale can compare. Chie had a long career as a seam-
stress in Winter Park for Ralph Lauren Polo before retiring from Burdines in Altamonte, continuing to knit and sew long after her retirement. She was a passionate Atlanta Braves baseball fan, active in her church, and loved being surrounded by her grandkids and great-grandkids. Chie is survived by her daughter, Lynn, and her partner, Steve; her son, Dale, and his wife, Susan; her grandson, Josh, and his wife, Morgan; her granddaughter, Jessica, and her husband, Nathan;
She believed in beauty, equity and truth, and in tradition and history. Marcia led an extraordinary life, lucky enough to engage with organizations where her compassion, curiosity and kindness could be a light for others. From the Sydney Olympics to the World Cup, from Church Street Station to the Orlando Opera Company, from the American Red Cross to the Orlando Art Museum, she always found ways to bring joy and help others as she chartered her exceptional journey. Marcia treasured her family and was a devoted daughter and loyal friend. She saw the best in those she loved and may have loved her furry friends and dog-sitting clients the most. Hers was a bright light that surely blazes on, but our lives are all the more dim without her amazing laugh and special presence on this earth. her great-granddaughters Haven, Jadyn and Lyla; and too many dear friends to list. Her legacy lives on through these people. A celebration of life was held at 2 p.m. Monday, Jan. 6, 2020, at Woodlawn Memorial Park and Funeral Home, 400 Woodlawn Cemetery Road, Gotha. A reception followed at 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, main.acsevents.org/goto/chie.
NOTE OF THANKS
DR. DAVID A. CLARK (MAJ.) USA The family of Dr. David A. Clark wants to thank all his family and friends for their support of David since he has been battling this cancer. Thank you to all, especially for this past year, through your visits, phone calls, cards, picking him up for visits to downtown Winter Garden, and for all of your prayers. You all were there for him, and now you all are here for us, his family. You were there to give us support on his passing into Glory. Thanks to the pastors, Jeff Shaver, Kendric Barrett, Michael Butler and Greg Aman and to family and friends who made David’s interment at the National Cemetery in Bushnell a day we will never ever forget. Celebration of Life was on Saturday, Dec. 14, at the Elks Lodge, Winter Garden. So many of you to thank for making this the party David wanted. Love and thanks to Staci and Ronnie Bradshaw for being in charge for us. They got the place at the Elks Lodge, got a committee of other friends and family together. They did all the set-up, decorating and
clean-up. They did a great job. Thanks to Pastor Barrett (WOBC) for opening the celebration with a prayer and an acrostic of David’s name, ending in prayer and inviting everyone to eat and enjoy David’s celebration with their memories of him. Thanks to all at WOBC and to Don Price for providing food and plastic items. Delicious! So many friends came from near and far to celebrate David’s life. Thanks to Kimberly Yawn (WOBC) and our grandson, Steve Lightcap, for the DVDs of David’s life that they made and set to Elvis Presley music. David wanted his family and friends not to be sad but come to a party and celebrate his passing into the presence of our Lord in Heaven and do it while listening to Elvis music. Thanks to everyone for their prayers, cards, flowers and being here to help us cope with the loss of our baby, brother, uncle, dad, nephew, cousin and good friend. He was all these. Thank you and have a blessed 2020, with our love, Johnny, Robert and Grace.
BAPTIST
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SOUTHWEST ORANGE OBSERVER
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THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 2020
OrangeObserver.com
West Orange Chamber of Commerce
Celebrates Business THE WEST ORANGE CHAMBER OFFERS 4 NETWORKING GROUPS:
West Orange Chamber of Commerce Marco’s Pizza Winter Garden’s Ribbon Cutting WOCC Ambassadors celebrated the Ribbon Cutting of Marco’s
Pizza Winter Garden, located 13381 West Colonial Drive, in Winter Garden. Marco’s Pizza is an authentic pizza restaurant bringing Italian heritage and primo experience and the freshest highest quality ingredients and service. To learn more, visit www. marcos.com.
West Orange Chamber of Commerce Branch Land & Tree Service’s 5th Anniversary WOCC Ambassadors celebrated the 5th Anniversary of Branch
Land & Tree Service, LLC, professional tree and landscaping services, located in Oakland but serving Orlando and surrounding areas. To learn more, visit https://www.branchlandandtree.com/.
TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY HORIZON WEST
To learn more and to register participation visit wochamber.com/ ChamberGroups or call 407-656-1304
West Orange Chamber of Commerce Celebrates Nehrling Gardens’ 10th Anniversary
WOCC Ambassadors celebrated the 10th Anniversary of
Nehrling Gardens, located at 2267 Hempel Avenue, in Gotha. Nehrling Gardens is the Florida Heritage Landmark home and remaining gardens of pioneering horticulturist Dr. Henry Nehrling. It was purchased 10 years ago this month by the nonprofit Henry Nehrling Society to create a community resource focused on historic preservation, horticultural education and environmental conservation. Today the beautiful old home and gardens have come back to life through the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and the support of community businesses, foundations, individual donors and a grant from the Florida Division of Historic Resources. To learn more, visit www.nehrlinggardens.org.
West Orange Chamber of Commerce EM Agency’s Ribbon Cutting
WOCC Ambassadors celebrated the Ribbon Cutting of EM
Agency, located at 855 East Plant Street, Suite 1600, in Winter Garden. EM Agency is capping off its em-azing first year with the official opening of a brand-new space. Advertising and marketing to the emth degree. To learn more, visit www.EMagency.com.
West Orange Chamber of Commerce Orlando on Wheels’ 10th Anniversary
WOCC Ambassadors celebrated the 10th Anniversary of
Orlando on Wheels, a company that provides reliable and professional transportation to all Greater Orlando area, as well as Port Canaveral. To learn more or get an instant quote, visit http:// www.orlandoonwheels.com/.
West Orange Chamber of Commerce RIEGL’s USA Groundbreaking
WOCC Ambassadors celebrated the groundbreaking of
West Orange Chamber of Commerce Edward Jones - Bruce Young’s 10th Anniversary
WOCC Ambassadors celebratedcelebrated the 10th Anniversary
of Edward Jones - Bruce Young, Financial Advisor’s branch, located at 17301 Pagonia Road, Suite 100, in Clermont. Whether planning for retirement, saving for college, or just trying to protect the financial future of the ones you care for the most, Bruce Young can develop specific strategies to help you achieve your goals. To learn more, visit http://edwardjones.com/bruce-young. 325672-1
For more information about joining the West Orange Chamber of Commerce, call 407-656-1304 or visit wochamber.com
RIEGL USA, located at 14069 West Colonial Drive, in Winter Garden. RIEGL is an international leading provider of cuttingedge technology in airborne, mobile, terrestrial, industrial and unmanned laser scanning solutions. RIEGL has been producing LiDAR systems commercially for almost 40 years and focuses on pulsed time-of-flight laser radar technology in multiple wavelengths. RIEGL’s core Smart-Waveform technologies provide pure digital LiDAR signal processing, unique methodologies for resolving range ambiguities, multiple targets per laser shots, optimum distribution of measurements, calibrated amplitudes and reflectance estimates, as well as the seamless integration and calibration of systems. RIEGL’s various 3D scanners offer a wide array of performance characteristics and serve as a platform for continuing “Innovation in 3D” for the LiDAR industry. To learn more, visit www.rieglusa.com.