New Errol requesting a Community Development District from City Council

On April 11th, before a crowd of over 400 residents at the Apopka Community Center, many dressed in blue Staghorn t-shirts to show their support, the Apopka City Council approved the Signature H Property Group Planned Unit Development rezoning needed for the re-development of the existing Errol Estate into New Errol and the Staghorn Club & Lodge.

Now Signature H is back in front of the City Council requesting a Community Development District (CDD) in order to finance and maintain the new community infrastructure such as the site development, new spine road, lakes, sidewalks, lighting, stormwater drainage areas, landscaping, berms and buffer areas.

"New Errol proposes to form a community development district to enhance the quality of the redevelopment and to assure that New Errol’s infrastructure," said Helmut Wyzisk III, Vice President of Signature H Property Group. "Especially its critical stormwater and lake systems, which are operated and maintained in perpetuity."

According to Signature H, the estimated average assessment for New Errol residents is $840 per year, which is projected to finance approximately $21-million in public infrastructure.

This assessment would not be charged to current Errol residents.

Tomorrow, the Signature H team will present its idea at a workshop with the City Council to discuss the concept of assembling a CDD for New Errol. To gain full approval, the workshop will be followed by two future City Council meetings in which the Council would have to vote in favor of the proposal.

Workshop meetings are opportunities for the City Council to discuss specific issues among themselves and with staff in an open meeting and to provide policy guidance to staff on items which are not ready for official action. The public is welcome to attend and is welcome to provide comments regarding workshop items to the Council and staff outside of the meeting. Public comment will not be heard during a workshop meeting, but are welcome at future City Council meetings following the workshop.

According to the State of Florida Legislature's website, a CDD is a local, special-purpose government framework authorized by Chapter 190 of the Florida Statutes as amended, and is an alternative to municipal incorporation for managing and financing infrastructure required to support the development of a community.

As of 2012, Florida had over 600 CDDs with municipal bonds totaling $6.5 billion.

Editor's Notes:

On its Facebook page, Signature H has provided a frequently asked questions link to its CDD proposal. To review those questions, go here.

It also provided a link to its workshop presentation. To review it, go here.