We’re thrilled to announce that Winter Springs is enthusiastically joining the national pickleball craze!

We’re currently in the process of constructing what will be the largest complex dedicated to this fast-growing sport in Seminole County. The facility, set to have 14 courts, will be capable of hosting tournaments, leagues, and possibly even serving as a home for a professional team.

Cities such as Tampa and St. Pete have their major sports teams, and we’re excited about the potential for Winter Springs to follow suit, leveraging our pickleball complex to possibly attract a major league pickleball club to call our city home.

We’ve been steadily working towards building this pavilion at Central Winds Park for several years, and construction officially began in March. Originally, the complex was going to feature 13 standard courts and one tournament-sized court. However, we listened to our community and decided to make all of the courts tournament-sized. This change will not only generate revenue for our city but also draw professional pickleball players and enthusiasts from all over.

I believe this project presents a fantastic opportunity for us to utilize these courts to host tournaments and leagues, which could provide a substantial income stream to our city. But rest assured, while the possibility for tournaments is exciting, the primary focus of this pickleball facility is our Winter Springs residents. The facility is, first and foremost, for our community, and our residents will always have priority access at no cost to play the game they love.

The construction of the pickleball facility, which is expected to cost the city $2.9 million, will be funded using park impact fees.

Pickleball courts have been popping up all over Central Florida, reflecting the popularity of this dynamic sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong. The sport’s popularity has soared, growing by 159% over three years to 8.9 million players in 2022, according to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association.

Here in Winter Springs, we are thrilled to be a part of this trend and look forward to welcoming everyone to our new pickleball courts once completed. Let’s embrace this exciting opportunity to bring more sport and community spirit to our wonderful city!

What a great event by the City of Winter Springs! Our littlest residents had a fantastic time with the Parks and Recreation team as they learned how to fish safely last month! Our city staff taught the young anglers how to bait a hook, tie a knot, and cast properly. At the end of the morning, each participant left with a free fishing pole, thanks to FWC, Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission!!!

This is a pre-registered event and every year it reaches capacity, so if you plan to join us next year, please register early!

The Tuskawilla Self-Storage Controversy: A Tale of Rezoning and Community Dissent

In the city of Winter Springs, a vibrant controversy has unfolded, pitting local community members and city officials against a proposed self-storage facility. At the heart of the dispute is a parcel of land on Tuskawilla Road, eyed by the developer, David Axel, for the construction of the storage facility. The tension lies not only in the use of the land but also in the stark contrast it presents to the surrounding area, chiefly residential and commercial in nature.

A Call to Action: The Community’s Fight Against Rezoning

The city of Winter Springs holds a charm that its residents fiercely protect. The proposed Tuskawilla Self-Storage project has been viewed by many locals as a significant disruption to the city’s character, as it seeks to convert a land parcel zoned for Industrial and Agriculture use to Planned Development. Several residents voiced their concerns, citing potential diminished home values, a disrupted skyline, and increased traffic, among others.

The community has the right to challenge such rezoning, but the legal battle is tough. Some potential challenges include claims of the location being pedestrian-oriented, the possibility of the site being a brownfield, or that the proposed facility is inconsistent with surrounding residential uses. Nevertheless, these claims need to be substantiated with substantial evidence of harm for them to hold water in a court of law.

There is also the consideration of “spot zoning,” where the zoning amendment is invalid because it is not in accordance with a comprehensive or well-considered plan. However, proving spot zoning is not a simple task and heavily relies on the specifics of the case.

Seminole County Approves Despite Objections

Despite these objections, the Seminole commissioners unanimously approved the storage facility’s development plan. The commissioners cited the land’s long-standing zoning for industrial uses, which does allow for self-storage facilities. The point of contention here is that the city of Winter Springs never made substantial efforts to annex the property into their city and change the zoning.

Commissioners also noted that the landowner and the developer have property rights to develop the land within the county’s regulations. While the city and its residents may have their vision for the area, the property owner has the right to use their land within the established rules and regulations.

Lessons for the Future

This case serves as a reminder of the complex dynamics between local communities, city governments, and property developers. It’s a cautionary tale, emphasizing the importance of cities taking proactive steps to secure lands important for their vision and growth. In this instance, the commissioners suggested that Winter Springs should have either tried to annex the land into the city and changed the zoning or worked with the county on a joint planning agreement.

As the city and its residents navigate the aftermath of this controversial decision, it’s clear that the community’s voice has been heard, even if the outcome wasn’t as desired. The unfolding events surrounding the Tuskawilla Self-Storage serves as a testament to the power of community involvement and the importance of understanding and navigating zoning laws. It’s an ongoing narrative that continues to shape the development landscape of Winter Springs.

Stay tuned for more updates on this development and other local community news in Winter Springs.

A charter school in Seminole County, which has received an A rating and is highly popular, is experiencing turmoil due to the possible departure of the school’s principal. Many parents are blaming the board members for unfairly pushing out the well-liked principal, and there is a sense of fear and anger among the school community. The governing board, which is not elected, has come under fire for making decisions that do not prioritize educational needs.

The conflict began in November 2020, after a board member was denied permission to deliver a tiara and a stuffed animal to his children during school hours, violating the school’s policy. This led to a series of incidents, including the board member requesting footage from the school’s security cameras to monitor the principal’s activities and an orchestrated meeting where former employees spoke critically of the principal.

At a board meeting, the principal resigned, with some board members voting to accept her resignation, while others praised her work. Many parents have signed an online petition to stop the “forced resignation” of the principal, and some have attended board meetings to express their support for her. The principal filed a formal complaint against the board members, accusing them of bullying and harassment.

The board’s previous attorney conducted an investigation into the matter, and the board has since hired a new attorney. The investigation concluded that the board members’ actions did not meet the legal definition of bullying and harassment, but the board member’s actions could lead a reasonable person to believe that there was specific intent against the principal.

The lack of checks and balances within the board, and the fact that it is not elected, has frustrated many parents who feel they have no say in what is happening at the school. The school is in the last year of its 15-year charter, so it will need to seek renewal next year.

Homeowners that experienced flooding of their homes during Hurricane Ian (September 2022) are encouraged to contact us about possible funding from the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) for flood mitigation projects.

An informational Community Workshop will be held on Thursday, February 9, 2023, at the Winter Springs Senior Center (400 N. Edgemon Avenue), beginning at 6 PM.

The following options are available to homeowners with a past flooding history:

1. Elevation of flood Prone Homes (New finish floor is lifted 1.5ft above Base Flood Elevation (BFE)). 

Homeowners with elevated homes will need FEMA-sponsored Flood Insurance for the remaining of the structure’s life. 

However, flood insurance is not required to apply for the grant.

2. Acquisition and demolition of flood-prone homes The affected homes will be purchased by the City and will be demolished soon thereafter. 

No new structures will ever be allowed to be constructed on those parcels.

The HMGP assists States, territories, federally-recognized tribes, and local communities by:

• Significantly reducing or permanently eliminating future risk to lives and property from natural hazards.
• Providing funds to implement projects in accordance with priorities identified in State, tribal, or local hazard mitigation plans
• Enabling mitigation measures to be implemented during the recovery following a major disaster declaration.

Typically projects are funded by a combination of Federal and non-Federal funds. HMGP funds may be used to pay up to 75% of the eligible costs.

Please note this opportunity is completely voluntary. If eligible to submit to FEMA, the City will submit a Hazard Mitigation Grant Program(HMGP) application to the Florida Division of Emergency Management for funding consideration under the Hurricane Ian disaster to include the properties of interested homeowners under the elevation.

https://www.winterspringsfl.org/community/webform/fema-hazard-mitigation-grant-program

There have recently been questions regarding street parking in Winter Springs. In order to comply with city ordinances governing on-street parking in the City of Winter Springs, this reference guide has been prepared for your use.