HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997 01 27 Regular Item B
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COMMISSION AGENDA
ITEM B
REGULAR X
CONSENT
INFORMATIONAL
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Meeting
MGR. a {;Vl /DEFT 6d7
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Authorization
REQUEST: The Parks and Recreation Department requests that the Commission review
and discuss information regarding signage posted at Wander Lake and
Ranchlands Park located at the corner of Tradewinds and Hayes Road.
PURPOSE: The purpose of this request is to generate discussion regarding signage posted at
Wander lake which declares "NO SWIMMING OR BOAT LAUNCHING IN
THIS AREA."
CONSIDERA nONS:
. A citizen has inquired as to why there is signage posted at Wander Lake which
states" NO SWIMMING OR BOAT LAUNCHING IN THIS AREA?" The
signage is posted at lakes edge on city property known as Ranchlands Park.
Apparently the citizen's issue is why can't he/she carry ajon boat over the
property and fish in the lake?
. The Parks and Recreation Department made a request of the city clerk's office to
research the files for documentation which authorized approval for the placement
of the signs, None was found.
· The off road parking area at Ranchlands Park is a grass surface and is capable of
parking 12-15 vehicles perpendicular. The possibility of parking cars and boat
trailers is an impossible consideration at this time.
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Page 2
Agenda Item-31
January 27,1997
ISSUE ANALYSIS:
. If jon boat or canoe launching were to be considered for the park / lake the issue
of homeowners residing on the lake would definitely be a sensitive matter since
most homeowners would not appreciate boaters / fishermen anchoring adjacent to
their private backyards. ~'h~-,'.
. The park is open from sunrise to sunset. Should jon boat launching be allowed
who will enforce the assurance that all boaters / fisherman are off the lake and out
of the park at sunset?"
. There is presently no park ordinance which addresses boating, boating law
enforcement, fishing, etc.
RECOMMENDATION:
. This matter is presented to generate discussion only, with no recommendation
statement to be considered.
IMPLEMENTA TION SCHEDULE:
N/A
ATTACHMENTS:
Letter from Attorney M. Jones
COMMISSION ACTION:
AGENDA31
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Leffler & Associates, P .A.
Attorneys and Counselors at Law
Atrium" Building
301 West State Road 434, Suite 317
Winter Springs, Florida 32708
Telephone (407) 327-7275
Facsimile (407) 327-7374
Kenneth M. Leffler
Michael D. Jones
Michael D, Starks
January 6, 1997
Don Wilson
Director of Parks and Recreational Department
City Hall of Winter Springs
1126 E. State Road 434
Winter Springs, Florida 32708
Re: Wander Lake
Dear Don:
In response to your request for some historical information relative to the utilization of boats on the
Wander Lake chain, I have reviewed my file and, together with my best recollection, it was never intended
that the residents surrounding the borrow pit, excuse me, lake, not be allowed to utilize the lake for
boating. A little history is in order.
Initially, Wander Lake was a wet weather pond, very shallow and sometimes completely dry.
Even then, residents utilized small boats and canoes to fish and enjoy the pond when there was adequate
water to do so. A private contractor was called in to undertake a borrow pit operation for the purpose of
deepening the pond and allowing the contractor to sell the fill dirt, At the final stages of the borrow pit
operation, the contractor "dug out" through the area you now refer to as the City park. The adjacent
neighbors, out of concern for their children and others who were utilizing the lake, requested that the area
in front of the park remain shallow without a structured slope. In doing so, the park area was not filled
leaving a significant slope from the road to the lake. Several months after the completion of the borrow pit
operation, the rainy season set in causing a tremendous amount of Tradewinds Road to wash through the
park area and into the lake eroding large areas of the park which had been used by residents to launch
their boats and/or a part using the lake facility.
The contractor was called back to bring up the slope, re-grade the area and put a swale along
Tradewinds Road. At the same time the city seeded and/or sodded the area, constructed a picnic table,
and put up a small fence. Subsequently the neighbors became concerned about the potential hazard and
liability associated with the launching of boats and the number of vehicles parked throughout the area and
on the street. It was then decided that boat launching would be prohibited through the park.
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Mr. Don Wilson
January 6, 1997
Page Two
The signs, subsequently erected, prohibiting boats did not include those property owners' riparian
rights to Wander Lake. Indeed, because of the very cooperative attitude that existed between the City and
property owners, the shore line was extended into a number of the property owners' lot lines to assure the
property owner access to the lake.
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I think it would be a serious error to cOllclude that the property owners do not have th,e right to
utilize.thelake for boating! especially wh.enmany of the boats were-there before the lake. It Iwould be
sheer folly to suggest that the City, which dug the lake, improve the water quality and fishing capacity of
the dried up pond would prohibit someone from using a boat to enjoy this recreational facility,
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Wander Lake was dug at a time when there was a very cooperative spirit with the City and the
riparian land owners. The land owners allowed the contractor to store equipment, cross their property with
discharge lines, excavate portions of their property to make coves for their use and benefit and, in general,
both parties cooperated to obtain this fine recreational facility. Indeed I think all should be allowed to enjoy
it.
If I can be of further assistance, please feel free to call me.
MDJ/jah