Safe Neighborhood Lee Road Action Plan library/neighbors... · LEE ROAD NEIGHBORHOOD ACTION PLAN 3...

Safe Neighborhood

Lee Road

Action Plan August 2009

i

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Orange County Mayor

Richard T. Crotty

Board of County Commissioners

S. Scott Boyd, District 1

Fred Brummer, District 2

Mildred Fernandez, District 3

Linda Stewart, District 4

Bill Segal, District 5

Tiffany Moore-Russell, District 6

Orange County Government

Ajit Lalchandani, County Administrator

Melvin Pittman, Director

Community and Environmental Services Department

Lavon B. Williams, Manager

Neighborhood Services Division

Orange County Safe Neighborhood Program

Arthur Hall, Safe Neighborhood Program Coordinator

Lee Road Safe Neighborhood

Glenn Merithew, President

Marsha Zimmerman, Vice president

Melissa J. Holt, Treasurer

Judy Volpe, Secretary

ii

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Acknowledgements i

Table of Contents ii

List of Tables iii

Introduction Page 1

Location Page 2

History Page 3

Demographics Page 3

Land Use Page 7

Transportation Page 9

Parks and Recreation Page 10

Public Services Page 10

Community Facilities Page 11

Community Issues Page 11

Citizen Participation Strategy Page 12

Action Plan Page 13

iii

LIST OF TABLES

TABLE A – 2000 Estimated Population Characteristics Page 4

TABLE B – 2000 Estimated Population by Age Page 4

TABLE C – Housing Characteristics

TABLE D – Water Source Page 5

TABLE E – Housing Heating Fuel Page 5

TABLE F – Kitchen & Plumbing Facilities Page 6

TABLE G – Household Income Page 6

TABLE H – Educational Attainment Page 6

TABLE I – Employment Status by Sex Page 7

LEE ROAD NEIGHBORHOOD ACTION PLAN 1

INTRODUCTION

A landmark neighborhood revitalization tool which targets Orange County’s older and

transitioning neighborhoods, the Safe Neighborhoods Program is designed to assist residents in

reclaiming their communities before crime and deterioration create blighted and slum conditions.

The program focuses on partnering citizens with the Sheriff’s Office, Orange County

Departments and Divisions, the private sector, community stakeholders and others to

collaboratively preserve and stabilize neighborhoods.

In summer 2000, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners pre-selected eight Safe

Neighborhood communities. Designated community representative from each community

completed and submitted Safe Neighborhood applications. The Safe Neighborhoods Selection

Committee reviewed and ranked each application based on defined selection criteria.

On November 28, 2000, the Board of County Commissioners adopted the Safe Neighborhood

ranking and implementation schedule. During Fiscal Year 2000-2001, approximately $300,000

will be used to fund projects within the designated communities. Safe Neighborhood funds are

generated from fines on criminal activities committed within Orange County at an amount of $50

for felonies and $20 for misdemeanors. Funds will be used primarily to implement capital

improvement projects. Some communities will use the funds to establish community

organizations and others to enhance crime prevention programs.

Community residents, business owners and stakeholders will work with Orange County leaders

and staff to develop a Safe Neighborhood Action Plan. The Action Plan will provide a profile of

each community including demographic information, land use and zoning data, community

infrastructure and so forth. The Action Plan will further define each community’s core issues

and propose projects and programs to address specific issues.

The Action Plan will guide the revitalization of the Safe Neighborhood community within its

first year. Thereafter, the Action Plan will establish the foundation for a more detailed and

comprehensive Safe Neighborhood Plan. The Safe Neighborhood Plan will be developed and

refined with critical input from each community.

The intent of the Lee Road Safe Neighborhood Action Plan is to provide a framework for the

residents in the community to continue to build upon the revitalization efforts that began in 1996

with the development of the Lee Road Corridor Enhancement Plan. Orange County continues to

partner with the residents to help them establish a safer neighborhood and to maintain a high

quality of life.

The purpose of this action plan is to provide information about the study area including

demographics, land use, transportation, parks and recreation, public services, community

facilities, and community projects to highlight existing resources. Specific projects that will be

initiated in the study area, as well as the costs for these projects and programs, are also provided.

LOCATION


As shown in Figure One, the study area boundary includes all of Kingswood Manor north of Lee

Road. The eastern boundary is Interstate 4, the southern boundary is Fairbanks Avenue and the

western boundary is Edgewater Drive. The Town of Eatonville is located immediately to the

north of the study area and the City of Winter Park limits begin approximately one mile east.

The City of Orlando limits begin a few blocks west of Edgewater Drive.

HISTORY

Kingswood Manor was developed in several phases beginning in the late 1950’s. Asbury Park,


Albert Lee Ridge and Queenswood were developed around the perimeters. Lake Weston

Elementary School was built in 1958 with an initial enrollment of 200 students and now serves

approximately 750 students. Some residents have described Kingswood as a “quiet

neighborhood in suburbia out in the country”.

Lee Road began as a two-lane road and now is a major state highway consisting of six lanes.

Many second and third generation families live in both the Lee Road and Fairbanks Avenue

areas. Fairview Baptist, Calvary Presbyterian, St. Paul’s Methodist and two Jewish synagogues

flourish in the area. Northgate Shopping Center was the prime shopping place in the 1960’s and

1970’s but many of the major tenants moved out with the opening of the Colonial Plaza Mall

built on East Colonial Drive. The residents in the Lee Road study area continue to be challenged

by the consistent commercial redevelopment along Lee Road, considered the heart of the

community, while the neighborhoods try to maintain a sense of stability.

DEMOGRAPHICS

The demographic profile for the Lee Road community is based upon the 2000 census data. Lee

Road is located in census tract 152.02, block groups 1, 2 and 3. Please see Figure Two.

Demographic information may be used to understand the various components of the Lee Road

community. Characteristics for Lee Road are compared with county-wide demographic data.

The demographic data reviewed in this section include:

Population Characteristics

Housing Characteristics

Employment Characteristics

Household Income

Educational Attainment

Population Characteristics: Table A shows the population characteristics for Lee Road and

Orange County. Based on the 2000 census information, the total population within Lee Road is

8,173 while the total population for Orange County is 677,491. The table indicates that the Lee

Road community has a larger Black population than the County.


Table A: 2000 Estimated Population Characteristics

Lee Road Orange

County

Total % White 76% 79%

Total % Black 20% 15%

Total % Asian or Pacific

Islander

1% 0%

Total % Other 0% 2%

Total % Hispanic Population 3% 4%

Table B shows Population by Age Characteristics. By the same 2000 census estimates, it can be

seen that the age distribution within Lee Road is similar to the County-wide distribution. The

under 18 population within Lee Road is 27% and 25% respectively, while persons over 18

represent 73% in Lee Road and 75% within Orange County.

Table B: 2000 Estimated Population by Age

Housing Characteristics: Table C delineates the total number of housing units as well as the

percentage of owner occupied and renter occupied housing units. Over half of the residents

(57%) in Lee Road reside in owner occupied housing with 43% of the housing units being renter

occupied. With an average built year of 1964, the housing units in Lee Road are older than

housing units within the County which have an average built date of 1976.

Age Group Lee Road Orange

County

5yrs and under 9% 9%

6 to 11 yrs 8% 7%

12 to 14 yrs 5% 4%

15 to 18 yrs 5% 5%

19 to 20 yrs 2% 3%

21 to 34 yrs 24% 28%

35 to 49 yrs 21% 20%

50 to 64 yrs 13% 13%

65 yrs and up 13% 11%


Table C: Housing Characteristics

Lee Road Orange

County

Total # Housing Units 3,344 282,686

Persons Per Household 2.55 2.39

Owner Occupied 57% 59%

Renter Occupied 43% 41%

Vacant 8% 10%

Median year structure built 1964 1976

Tables D through F represent a general profile of housing infrastructure which when combined

may indicate substandard housing. Tables D and E represent the various sources of water and

heating fuel respectively, while Table F delineates kitchen and plumbing facilities. Overall,

housing infrastructure within Lee Road is slightly different to Orange County a whole. All

structures within the Lee Road area are served through a public system or private company for

their source of water, with no units connected to individual water wells. Similarly, the housing

heating fuel in Lee Road represents a generally progressive community with 75% of the units

served by electricity, nineteen percent being served by fuel oil or kerosene and six percent by

other sources. Almost one hundred percent of the housing units within Lee Road have complete

kitchen and plumbing facilities.

Table D: Water Source

Lee Road Orange

County

Public system/Private company 100% 92%

Individual well 0% 8%

Other 0% 0%

Table E: Housing Heating Fuel

Lee Road Orange

County

Utility gas 0% 8%

Bottled, tank, or LP gas 5% 4%

Electricity 75% 80%

Fuel oil, kerosene, etc. 19% 7%

Wood 0% 0.4%

No fuel used 1% 0.6%

Table F: Kitchen & Plumbing Facilities

Lee

Road

Orange

County

Kitchen Facilities

Complete facilities 100% 99.6%

Lacking complete facilities 0% 0.4%


Plumbing Facilities

Complete facilities 100% 99.7%

Household Income: Based on the 2000 census, Table G shows that the average household

income within Lee Road is $26,839, slightly lower than the County average of $30,252. Also

comparable to Orange County as a whole is the ratio of income to poverty within Lee Road.

Fourteen percent of the population within Lee Road fall below the poverty level which is two

percent more than the twelve percent of individuals in the County with incomes below poverty

level.

Table G: Household Income

Lee Road Orange

County

Median Household Income $26,839 $30,252

Median Family Income $29,701 $34,670

Ratio of Income to Poverty

Under .50 6% 5%

.51 to .74 4% 3%

.75 to .99 4% 4%

Educational Attainment: Table H identifies the highest level of educational attainment for Lee

Road adult residents (18 years and over). The table shows that 33% of the population have

completed their high school education, while 29% have not. Almost 40% of the Lee Road adult

residents have had some college training or have graduated from college.

Table H: Educational Attainment

Lee

Road

Orange

County

Less than 9th

Grade 8% 6%

9th

to 12th

Grade, no diploma 21% 15%

High School Graduate 33% 30%

Some college, no degree 20% 23%

Associates degree 6% 7%

Bachelor’s degree 9% 14%

Graduate or professional degree 3% 5%

Employment Status. Table I identifies employment status by sex for Lee Road residents who

are 16 years or older. Almost identical to the employment composition within Orange County,

approximately 66% of Lee Road residents are employed with an unemployment population of

only three percent which is comparable to the County-wide unemployment population of four

percent.

Table I: Employment Status by Sex


LAND USE

In order to gain a better understanding of the existing Lee Road community, a brief description

of the area’s land use profile follows. The next section reviews the existing Future Land Use

(FLU) designations and Zoning classifications. Maps of the FLU and Zoning are shown on

Figure Three and Figure Four.

Future Land Use: Residential designations dominate the community of Lee Road and include

Low Density Residential, Low-Medium Density Residential and Medium Density Residential.

Low density residential dominates the majority of the study area and allows for the development

of four (4) residential dwelling units per acre. An area consisting of five lots on the north portion

of West Fairbanks Avenue has a Low-Medium Density that allows for the development of up to

10 units per acre. There is also property located on the southern portion of Courtland Street that

is designated Low-Medium.

The third residential future land use designation found within the Lee Road community is

Medium Density Residential which allows residential development up to 20 dwelling units per

acre. The first area with a Medium Density Residential designation is located at Eggleston

Avenue and Lee Road on the north side of Lee Road, while the second property is located on the

northern portion of Lee Road and Kingswood Drive in the entrance to the subdivision. In

addition to residential future land use designations, Lee Road is comprised of two non-residential

designations, including Commercial and Office.

Commercial future land use designations can be found primarily along the major roadways

within Lee Road. Commercial uses dominate the majority of the Lee Road corridor as well as

Edgewater Drive north of Lee Road. There are also several lots along Edgewater Drive closer to

Fairbanks Avenue that are designated Commercial.

The Office designation is not as predominant within the Lee Road area. There are four small lots

on the western portion of Lee Road close to Edgewater Drive with an Office classification.

There are also several lots along Edgewater Drive south of Lee Road and a larger area south of

Courtland Street that runs along Interstate Four designated as Office.

Lee Road Orange

County

Male

Armed Forces 0% 2%

Employed 35% 36%

Unemployed 1% 2%

Not in labor force 9% 10%

Female

Armed Forces 0% 0%

Employed 31% 30%

Unemployed 2% 2%

Not in labor force 22% 18%


The elementary school in the northwestern portion of the study area has an Institutional future

land use designation. There is a Parks/Recreation designation on property that is located within

Kingswood Manor north of Lee Road. There are also some small water bodies scattered

throughout the study area.

Zoning: The residential areas within the Lee Road area include a wide range of residential

zoning classifications (R-1A, R-1, R-2 and R-3). Single family residential classifications (R-1A)

dominate the area both on the northern and southern portions of Lee Road. There are

approximately five small lots that have been designated as R-1, a single-family with smaller

minimum lots and yards, including the Lake Weston Elementary School located in the northwest

portion on the study area. In addition to single family residences, properties located in higher

density areas such as duplexes, triplexes and quadruplexes are allowed in the R-2 designation.

The majority of the properties designated R-2 are located along Edgewater Drive and south of

Courtland Street. There are a few small lots located along Edgewater Drive that have been

designated R-3, a multiple-family zoning district.

The commercial areas within Lee Road have zoning classifications that include C-1, C-2 and C-3

and are distributed randomly along both Edgewater Drive and Fairbanks Avenue. The C-1 and

C-2 classifications are retail commercial classifications that are intended to be residential-serving

uses. The C-3 classification is a wholesale commercial district that permits higher intensity

commercial uses. There are several small pockets of properties with a Professional Office

zoning designation scattered throughout the area between Lee Road, Edgewater Drive and

Goddard Avenue. There is also a large piece of property located along the eastern side of

Courtland Street and Interstate Four designated P-O. There is one lot located between Courtland

Street and Neuse Avenue that is classified as a Planned Development (P-D). This designation

allows for a mixture of land uses.

The variety of zoning districts within the Lee Road Safe Neighborhood area indicates very

fragmented and inconsistent land uses. For example, in portions of the study area, there is no

apparent consistency of commercial uses on the east side of Edgewater Drive, south of Lee

Road. This leads to higher intensity use properties located near lower intensity uses. This may

affect the character and overall appearance of the community.

The Orange County Code Enforcement Division continues to monitor code violations on a

continuous basis in the Lee Road area. On May 30th

2009, the Lee Road Safe Neighborhood

partnered with several businesses and organizations to hold a community clean-up. The clean-up

was a great success. The following list indicates the number of inspections that have occurred in

the area on May 30, 2009. Code Enforcement collected 12,780 lbs. of bulky items equaling 6.39

tons. EPD received 1,900 lbs. of household hazardous waste equaling .95 tons, totaling 14,680

lbs. of bulky items, tires and household hazardous waste equaling 7.34 tons. Alternative

Community Services and The Department of Juvenile Justice both provided volunteers. Animal

Services was on hand to ensure the safety of all the volunteers.


TRANSPORTATION

Roads: The community of Lee Road is served by several major roadways and numerous

residential facilities. The study area is bordered by State Road 424/Edgewater Drive on the west,

State Road 426/Fairbanks Avenue on the south and Interstate 4 on the east. The main east/west

arterial roadway is State Road 423/Lee Road which is a six-lane road. According to data from

the Orange County Traffic Engineering Division, within the study area, Lee Road’s functional

classification is an intra-urban minor arterial, currently operating at an acceptable level of service

(E).

According to the 1996 Lee Road Corridor Enhancement Plan completed by the Orange County

Planning Division, cut-through traffic has been identified as an issue in Kingswood Manor

particularly on Beatrice Drive, an east-west road that runs through the middle of the

neighborhood. Speeding has also been identified as a major concern because of wider than

normal roads in Kingswood Manor particularly at the Kingswood Drive entrance.

Bicycles/Pedestrians: Bicycle enthusiasts who travel through the Lee Road community often

find their commute unsafe and at times hazardous because there are no designated bicycle lanes

within the study area. FDOT indicated that there is not enough room to add bicycle lanes to the

major arterial roads and there are currently no future plans for the addition of bicycle lanes

within this area as this would be very costly to widen the roads.

Pedestrians have easy access to sidewalks located along Lee Road, Fairbanks Avenue and

Edgewater Drive. There are wide sidewalks located on both sides of Lee Road used by

pedestrians and bicyclists. Within the neighborhoods, there are some existing sidewalks but are

often not found on both sides of the street. As part of the Lee Road Corridor Enhancement Plan,

a survey was taken by Orange County to determine the need for additional sidewalks. The

survey results indicated that the majority of the residents within Kingswood Manor did not want

new sidewalks installed in the neighborhood.

Mass Transit: Transit service for the Lee Road area is currently provided by LYNX crosstown

bus route #23 which runs on Lee Road and Edgewater Drive, Bus 16 which runs on Fairbanks

Avenue and Bus 9 which runs on Edgewater Drive.

PARKS AND RECREATION

There is a small neighborhood park behind the Calvary Presbyterian Church on Lee Road

between Edgewater Drive and Interstate 4. There is no definite schedule to develop a larger park

in the Lee Road area at this time.

The residents within Kingswood Manor have access to a private park that includes a pool and

recreational facility. Residents often use the Lake Weston Elementary School playground

facility during the evenings and on weekends.

Community Centers: Orange County’s Neighborhood Centers for Families provides services


to area residents at Lake Weston Elementary School. A variety of services and programs are

provided including a Head Start facility which offers comprehensive early childhood

development and education for children three to five years of age and their families through

direct services, shared governance, leadership, advocacy and collaborative services. Services

also include nutrition, medical and dental health, disabilities and mental health, early child

development and education parent involvement, family support, and community partnerships.

PUBLIC SERVICES

Police: The Lee Road community is located within the Orange County Sheriff’s Office Zone 13,

Sector 1, one of five sectors in Orange County. The closest substation is located at 1111 North

Rock Springs Boulevard in Apopka. The substation allows deputies a location to take reports

from citizens, make phone calls and to complete their paperwork.

The Sheriff’s Office services over one million 911 calls annually. They conduct effective School

Resource Officer, G.R.E.A.T., and D.A.R.E. programs in the schools, and have developed

programs to meet the needs and concerns of the county’s minority sectors.

From 2006 – 2008, Lee road has benefited from off duty patrols through the safe neighborhood

program. A total of 5 patrol details were awarded for the Lee Road/Kingswood area.

Table J summarizes and compares crime statistics for the general Lee Road/Kingswood manor

area for two six month periods in 1999 and 2000.

Fire: The Lee Road community is located within Orange County Fire Department District Four.

There is one fire station within close proximity to the community. Fire Station #41 is located at

4412 North Fairview Avenue.

Utilities: Water and sewer services in the Lee Road area are provided by Winter Park Utilities.

COMMUNITY FACILITIES

Libraries: The Edgewater Public Library serves the community of Lee Road. It is located on

the corner of Edgewater Drive and Lee Road in the Northgate Shopping Center. The programs

that the library offers including reading and story telling programs for many age groups as well

as other programs offered through Friends of the Library.

Schools: The schools that currently serve the Lee Road area include Lake Weston Elementary

School, Lockhart Middle School, and Edgewater High School.

Faith Based Organizations: The predominant church within the Lee Road study area is the

Calvary Presbyterian Church located on the south side of Lee Road close to Edgewater Drive.


Members of this church community have been activists for positive change within the Lee Road

study area for several years. Beginning in 1996 with the adoption of the Lee Road Corridor

Action Plan, they participated in the completion of the strategies that were outlined in the plan

and continue to take an active role in maintaining the quality of life for the residents.

Another large faith based organization is Temple Israel located in the eastern portion of the

community, south of Courtland Street on the east of Eli Street. There are several smaller faith

based organizations that are located throughout the neighborhoods in the Lee Road area.

COMMUNITY ISSUES

The Safe Neighborhood program is tailored to those communities that are experiencing gradual

but distinct increases in criminal activity. There may be several specific indicators that have

helped the community recognize the increase in crime-related activities. Over the years,

residents within the study area have become more concerned about the slow decline and

deterioration in portions of their community. Their goal is to maintain and preserve the

neighborhood while fostering the development of harmonious businesses. Listed below are the

major community issues that have become the focus of this action plan.

Crime and Safety Issues

Enhance and increase participation in the Neighborhood Watch Program.

Design and construct sidewalks.

Design and construct sidewalks.

Traffic Issues

Cut-through traffic in the neighborhoods.

Cars speeding in the neighborhoods.

Code Enforcement Issues

Junk vehicles.

Lots with debris or high grass and weeds.

CITIZEN PARTICIPATION STRATEGY

The community of Lee Road understands the importance of citizen participation in making

positive changes within the community. This process is a continuation of the efforts that began

in 1996 with the establishment of the Lee Road Corridor Enhancement Plan.

This process will consist of a meeting of the core group of citizen representatives in the Lee

Road area followed by a series of community meetings. The citizens will be involved in

strategic planning by identifying and prioritizing community projects.


ACTION PLAN

The community of Lee Road has funding through the Orange County Neighborhood Services

division to make physical improvements to the area as well as address social concerns. The

following pages describe the Action Plan goals established by the Leadership Committee. In

addition, the Action Plan contains the physical and social projects that will begin the process of

eliminating crime-related activities in the Lee Road Safe Neighborhood area. The chart below

are as follows: Number 1 = least important, 2 = somewhat important, 3 = Important, 4 = Most

important.

Community Needs Time Frames

Cost

Estimates

Lee Road

Year 1

08-09

Year 2

09-10

Year 3

10-11

Long

Range

Goal: Communitywide Traffic Control

TBD

N/A

Continue research and proposals to

install speed bumps – need to identify

additional need areas

School zone signs for Lake Weston area

3

4


ACTION PLAN


Cost

Estimates

Kingswood Manor/Lee Road

Year 1

08-09

Year 2

09-10

Year 3

10-11

Long

Range

Goal: Crime Reduction

TBD

N/A

Identify and address drug

dealing/prostitution zones – Increase

public and law enforcement identification

and control

Get more volunteers for COPS Program

4

2


Cost

Estimates

Lee Road

Year 1

08-09

Year 2

09-10

Year 3

10-11

Long

Range

Goal: Sidewalk Construction

TBD

Installation/Construction of “overhead”

walk-bridge at or near corner of Lee

Road and Adanson

3


ACTION PLAN


Cost

Estimates

Lee Road

Year 1

08-09

Year 2

09-10

Year 3

10-11

Long

Range

Goal: Effective Community Lighting

TBD

TBD

Educate residents and businesses on the

effectiveness of appropriate

streetlighting.

Install effective street lighting in needed

locations.

3

4


ACTION PLAN


Cost

Estimates

Lee Road

Year 1

08-09

Year 2

09-10

Year 3

10-11

Long

Range

Goal: Effective Code Enforcement

TBD

TBD

Educate residents and businesses on

Code Enforcement requirements and

procedures.

Establish community team to survey,

track, and report Code violations.

4

4

ACTION PLAN



Cost

Estimates

Lee Road

Year 1

08-09

Year 2

09-10

Year 3

10-11

Long

Range

Goal: Beautification

TBD

Identify and landscape five (5)

common/public area locations

3

ACTION PLAN



Cost

Estimates

Lee Road

Year 1

08-09

Year 2

09-10

Year 3

10-11

Long

Range

Goal: Repair/Install Infrastructure

TBD

TBD

Identify and initiate resolution regarding

flooding issues:

Lee Road between I-4 and

Kingswood Manor Drive

North Side – near IHOP Restaurant

and across from Lee Road Shopping

Center

Identify and initiate resolution regarding

installation of infrastructure in

neighborhoods located:

South of Lee Road

North of Fairbanks Avenue

East of Edgewater Drive

West of Adanson Street

2

4

4

3

ORANGE COUNTY NEIGHBORHOOD PRESERVATION & REVITALIZATION DIVISION

POST OFFICE BOX 1393, ORLANDO, FL 32802

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