Winter Park City Commission Meeting Summary | October 14, 2026

The Winter Park City Commission convened for a regular meeting on October 14, 2026, at 3:30 PM in City Hall. The agenda featured a community presentation, city manager reports, consent agenda items, several ordinances, and a prolonged public hearing on a comprehensive plan amendment to allow a lakefront lot split. The meeting adjourned around 7:30 PM.

Community Partner Presentation

• Chelsea Hilend from the Rollins College Annie Russell Theater presented on the theater's 94-year history, its new Tiki Theater and Dance Center, and the upcoming 2026-2027 subscriber series (including "The Bounds", "Expressions", "Arcadia", and "In the Heights"). The presentation concluded with a vocal performance by student Marissa Jade Rodriguez.

Consent Calendar

• Agenda approved unanimously.
• Item Deferral Debate: Commissioner Lindsay moved to defer item 11-C-1 (RFQ30-22 Dix.Hite + Partners, $136,000 for MLK/Fairbanks area schematic design) for one month due to potential funding impacts from Amendment 3. The motion to defer failed without a second.
• Contracts Approved: The commission approved piggyback contracts with Core & Main ($2M) and Stuart C. Irby Company ($3M).
• Minutes: Approved with a correction. Commissioner Lindsay noted an error in the previous minutes regarding his support for 4-year commission terms.
• Vote: The consent agenda passed 4-1, with Commissioner Lindsay voting no solely over the denial of his deferral request.

City Manager's Report & Action Items

• Integrated Resource Program: Consultant Quanta requested the work session be moved from December to February 25, 2027.
• GFOA Triple Crown Award: City Manager Knight presented the award to Wes Hamill's finance team. Winter Park is one of 441 governments in the United States to receive this award for financial reporting and budgeting.
• Fire Training Station: Foundation work has begun, with final assembly scheduled for November 2. The property was acquired for $75.
• Micromobility Update: Commissioner Russell reported on the pilot safety course, noting a small focus group of 6 students is testing modules. Anecdotal evidence suggests a reduction in accidents and dirt bike usage at schools.
• City Manager's Evaluation: The commission unanimously approved a 2% merit increase for Randy Knight, matching the increase for all other city employees. Commissioners thanked Knight for his 19 years of service and leadership.

Public Comments & Testimony

• General Public Comments:
  • Rachel Allen and David Williams (Peace and Justice Institute) reported on the 4th annual Peace Day in the Park, which featured over 1,200 participants and 44 partner organizations.
  • David Williams requested an agenda slot to discuss code compliance issues and criticized the city's problem resolution process. City Manager Knight clarified the established due process, which involves a code board hearing and subsequent judicial appeal, bypassing the commission.
• Item 14D (Marywood Lot Split):
  • Project Supporters/Neutral: John Schofield (contractor) argued the house is structurally restorable. Lisa Clayton warned about the high cost of insuring historic homes. Brian Mitnick argued renovation is impractically expensive and supported the split.
  • Preservation Advocacy: Betsy Owens (Casa Felice) urged the commission to require binding, permanent preservation of at least 80% of the structure as part of any lot split approval. Rhett Delaney (Historic Preservation Board) suggested a facade preservation compromise. John Bill (neighbor, construction litigator) believes the house is "eminently saveable" and questioned the validity of the demolition reports, suggesting a facade easement. Michael Spencer, Roy Bender, and Sally Flynn shared personal stories of successfully restoring historic homes.

Discussion Items

• Ordinances 14a, 14b, 14c: The commission unanimously approved the first reading of the FY26 budget amendment, the second reading of the State Revolving Fund loan ordinance (zero interest, 50% repayment for wastewater projects), and the second reading of the city code recodification.
• Item 14D (Ordinance 3368-26: Marywood Lot Split - Major Discussion):
  • Background: This was the second reading of a request to amend the comprehensive plan to allow the subdivision of the largest single-track lakefront lot in Winter Park (3.67 acres) into two lots (min. 1.5 acres each). The property houses the historic Marywood estate.
  • Applicant Position: Attorney Jason Searle, representing new owner Steve Lockwood, argued the existing house is structurally unsound. He presented engineering reports suggesting demolition is the only safe option. He proposed limiting the total square footage of both new homes to 30,000 sq ft and requiring Gamble Rogers II or Mediterranean architectural influence. He offered a "good faith effort" to preserve the north-facing facade of the current structure.
  • Commissioner Positions:
    • Ingram: Strongly opposed without legally binding, recorded preservation. Expressed disappointment in the process, noting that an offer from Matt Morgan to buy and preserve the home was not disclosed to the commission initially. She found the proposed good faith facade preservation insufficient and ambiguous.
    • Lindsay: Emphasized the strict comprehensive plan prohibition on lakefront splits since 1990. He argued that any exception must yield a clear, tangible, and permanent benefit, such as the preservation of a significant historic asset. Objected to voting on vague plans presented for the first time during the meeting.
    • Mayor De Sisio: Acknowledged the challenge, noting the home cannot serve a public purpose like Casa Felice. While sympathetic to property rights, she highlighted the risk of setting a damaging precedent for the city's other large lakefront lots.
    • Russell & Crusada: Attempted to find a compromise, proposing a specific percentage or linear footage of the facade be preserved with a deed restriction.
  • Outcome: After extended negotiation, the applicant agreed to a continuance. Vice Mayor Crusada motioned to table the item to the November 11, 2026 meeting. The motion passed unanimously. Staff and the applicant will work to draft specific, enforceable language for a preservation condition attached to the comprehensive plan amendment.

Commissioner Reports

• Commissioner Lindsay: Announced library early voting (starting Oct 19). Requested commission support to join the League of Cities legislative and natural resources committees, and asked staff to study the feasibility of a crosswalk with warning lights near the Winter Park Playhouse.
• Commissioner Ingram: Thanked public works. Announced the MetroPlan Orlando blind pedestrian experience at the Winter Park Farmers Market on Oct 15.
• Commissioner Russell: Noted Winter Park High School homecoming. Thanked staff for the parade.
• Vice Mayor Crusada: Announced community fall festivals.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda: Approved 4-1. (Item 11-C-1 not deferred).
• City Manager Evaluation: 2% merit increase approved unanimously.
• Ordinances 14a, 14b, 14c: All passed unanimously.
• Item 14D (Marywood Lot Split): Tabled to the November 11, 2026 regular meeting for specific condition drafting.
• General: Commissioner Lindsay authorized to pursue League of Cities committee positions. Staff directed to study crosswalk at Winter Park Playhouse.