2009.12.03, 2010.01.02 -- Syngenta Request, Endorsements From Kantor, Eola Land Co

8/4/2019 2009.12.03, 2010.01.02 -- Syngenta Request, Endorsements From Kantor, Eola Land Co

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Melissa BarronSyngenta Professional ProductsAquatics Territory Manager

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DRC/DDB/CRAOrlando City Hall - 6th Floor400 S. Orange AvenueOrlando, FL 32801

syng\ntaJanuary 2, 2010

RE: Request fo r Conditional Use Permit - Urban Garden Init iat iveDear Development Review Committee Members:In the past few months, several local businesses have expressed a strong interest in supporting an"urban garden" in downtown Orlando. In nearby communities as well as in cities across the nation, therehas been a noticeable increase in support of sustainable and local food production. This "greenmovemenf is quickly becoming popular with grocery stores and restaurants, and cities benefit from therejuvenation of vacant lots for such environmentally friendly projects.217 North Eola (the "site") is a 15,313 SF vacant parcel of land and is currently zoned for PlannedDevelopment (PD). During a Pre-Application Meeting with the Economic Development Department, itwas determined that a Conditional Use Permit could allow for the Urban Garden Initiative under theexisting PD zoning. This requested CUP would be fo r a two-year period.The site owner, 217 North Eola, LLC, in conjunction with Syngenta Professional Products and Urban LifeManagement (ULM) Restaurant Group, will provide the financial support and project oversight for theUrban Garden. Other businesses and groups who have expressed interest in the project include GAlConsultants, Inc., Orlando Utilities Commission, the City of Orlando, the Downtown Development Board,Howard Middle School, and Brasfield & Gorrie.The overall concept of the Urban Garden is to manage and grow vegetables at the site for the use andconsumption by the ULM restaurants. In addition, there is interest in adding an agriculture teachingcomponent in conjunction with the neighboring Howard Middle Schoof.On behalf of Syngenta, I appreciate the opportunity to present this information and request for a CUP,and I welcome any questions you may have at the upcoming Development Review Committee Meeting.This Urban Garden Initiative represents multiple groups and businesses with a common goal ofstrengthening the community and providing a more local source of food right here in beautiful Orlando!

With kind regards,

Melissa C. Barron


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Urban Garden Initiative - Project DetailsSecurityThe safety and well-being of all contributing parties is a priority for the Urban Garden. The sitehas partial chain link fencing around the perimeter, but we will install a completely enclosedfence with a locked gate. We plan to replace the existing chain l ink fence on the western-facingside of the site with wrought iron fencing to enhance the site's aesthetics along the sidewalk andEola Drive. The wrought irOn fencing will be complemented with appropriate landscaping thatwill call attention to the garden activities and allow pedestr ians to be able to see into the gardenarea.Since this is a private Urban Garden and not a pUblic "community garden", there will be no openaccess to anyone other than the involved parties. Site and perimeter lighting will be analyzedand improved as needed.

Site InclusionsA project sign will be posted at the site and will l ist the project partners, contributing sponsorsand the Urban Garden Initiative's purpose. Signage will be placed along the western facingfence line towards Eola Drive.Our plan includes the installation of a "buffer zone" of landscaping, flowers or ornamental shrubsto prevent the actual "crop growth" from being accessible from the fence.Irrigation currently exists at the site, and the Urban Garden will be irrigated in accordance withoue watering guidelines.Garbage and debris will be removed from the site at a minimum and will be not require theaddition of a dumpster or other receptacle on-site. A small storage shed will be placed on thesite to house such items as small non-electric gardening tools, rakes, bags of mulch, andfertilizer. The shed will be locked at all t imes when not in use by the authorized personnel. Nopesticides or herbicides will be stored on the site at any time.

Site ActivitiesSite activit ies will be overseen by authorized personnel at all times. Syngenta will monitor theplanting and growth of the seasonal vegetables, maintenance of the irrigation, fertilization,etc. Harvestable products will be utilized by Urban Life Management (ULM) Restaurant Groupand possibly featured at the downtown Lake Eola Farmer's Market.There will be bi-weekly to daily activity by a couple of workers with increased activity throughoutthe "growing season". There will be minimal parking and/or transporting of materials since thisproject is relatively small in scale.


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Adjacent Land UsesA mUltistory commercial bUilding with Panera Bread Company and Eo Inn and Spa are locatednorth of the site. The law offices of lowndes, Drosdick, Doster, Kantor and Reed, P.A. and thecompany's parking lot are located south and east of the site, respectively. Property to the westof the site includes Eola Drive followed by lake Eola Park.The site's adjoining properties - a restaurant, an inn, an office building, and a city park - arecompatible with our proposed garden. letters of Support were provided by lowndes, Drosdick,Doster, Kantor and Reed, PA and the owners of Panera Bread/Eo Inn Building. These lettersare located in Appendix 4 of this report.

Project PartnersThe two primary project partners in the Urban Garden Initiative are UlM Restaurant Group andSyngenta Professional Products.Craig Ustler and his related companies, including UlM Restaurant Group and 217 North Eola,l lC, have a documented track record of community involvement in central Florida. Informationabout UlM Restaurant Group and their strong commitment to giving back to the community canbe found at www.urbanlifemanagement.com and www.ulmcommunity.com. Information on theUstler Group of Companies is available at www.ustler.net.Syngenta Professional Products is a North American business component of Syngenta, one ofthe world's leading companies with more than 24,000 employees in over 90 countries. MelissaBarron represents the Southeastern US Aquatics division of Syngenta Professional Products.Syngenta has been deeply involved throughout the years in multiple environmental stewardshipand local community projects around the world. Information about Syngenta is available atwww.syngenta.com and www.syngentaprofessionalproducts.com.Website reference pages from UlM Restaurant Group, Usller Properties, Syngenta US, andlocal Syngenta community involvement projects can be found in Appendix 3 of this report.


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LowndesDrosdickD o s t e r r ~K a n t o r ~Reed,PA.

A T TOR N E Y SA T LAW

Craig 1. Ustler,ManagingMember217 North Eola, LLC801 North Orange AvenueSuite 530Orlando, FL 32801

December 3, 2009

THOMAS E. FRANCISDIRECT DIAL: 407-418-6320NORTH EOLA DRIVE OFFICEPOST OFFICE Box 2809ORLANDO, FLORIDA 32802-2809edd ic. [email protected]

TTTI l MERITAS LAW FIRMS WORLDWIDE

Re: Request for Conditional Use Permit for Urban Garden at 217 N. Eola DriveDear Craig:

On behalf o f the Firm, this will confirm that we support your request for a Conditional UsePermit for the temporary urban garden at 217 N. Eola Drive. Based on our review o f the applicationfiled with the City of Orlando and the other information you provided, we have no objection to yourrequest and support this interesting and unique addition to the Thornton Park neighborhood.

Please let me know if you need anything else in this regard.~ ~ r n yours, ' \~ J f A ~ ~ - -ThomasEt1 ; iS

TEF/mabc: Melissa C. BarronJim Burnett

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21 SNORTH EOLA DRIVEORLANDO, FLORIDA 32801-2028 TEL: 407-843-4600. FAX:407-843-4444 www.lowndes-Iaw.com 450 SOUTH ORANGE AVENUE, SUITEORLANDO, FLORIDA 32801)


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Eola Land Company, Inc.Eo Inn & Spa227 NEola DrOrlando, FL 32801

Craig T. Ustler, Managing Member217 North Eola, LLC801 N. Orange Avenue, Suite 530Orlando, FL 32801RE: urban garden at 217 N. Eola DrDear Mr. Ustier:We have been informed that you are considering using the currentiy vacant land adjacent to our propertyfor an "urban garden. Eola Land Company, owner of the neighboring Eo Inn & Spa, fully supports thisproject. We believe it would be an extremely good use of the vacant land and provide many benefits forthe entire neighborhood.Please let us know if there is anything we can do to assist.

Sincerely,

Scott SpragueV.P. Eola Land Co. Inc.

2009.12.03, 2010.01.02 -- Syngenta Request, Endorsements From Kantor, Eola Land Co

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Transcript of 2009.12.03, 2010.01.02 -- Syngenta Request, Endorsements From Kantor, Eola Land Co