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By Mark Baratelli
Winter Park City Council approved the contract for the sale of 1111 W. Fairbanks Avenue with Verax Investments LLC. This company "plans to build a mixed-use medical and business office.... (and) has offered to purchase the property for $3.5 million, higher than the land’s appraised value of $2.96 million," according to Orange Observer.
Planning Director Dori Stone presented this item at the January 22nd Council meeting and spoke about working through the sale of this property. The contract with Verax was presented. The second reading of the ordinance will take place along with the conditional use request. She stated that staff is satisfied with the schedule they received and believe they will see a conditional use request quickly and that they will not own the property until the Commission is agreeable with the conditional use.
Commissioner Cooper commented she still holds that this property has public use and value because of its proximity to Martin Luther King Park and is opposed to the sale and contract. She addressed the new library and issues she believes with the lake and loss of parkland and the intent of the CRA plan.
Motion made by Commissioner Sprinkel to approve the contract, seconded by Commissioner Weldon. There were no public comments made. Upon a roll call vote, Mayor Leary and Commissioners Seidel, Sprinkel and Weldon voted yes. Commissioner Cooper voted no. The motion carried with a 4-1 vote.
