From Staff Reports
In Summary:
The Apopka Community Redevelopment Agency will meet at 5 pm Monday, August 24, at the Apopka Community Center. Board members will consider a $7.8 million budget, a $156,000 land purchase, a separate $299,000 property, and a homebuyer-assistance program. The agenda also includes a 20-year lighting proposal for East 5th Street and a request to extend the CRA’s operating term.
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The Apopka Community Redevelopment Agency will consider a $7.8 million budget, two potential property acquisitions, a new down-payment assistance program, and decorative lighting for East 5th Street during a meeting Monday.
Related: Two years after Apopka’s financial wake-up call, the alarm is still ringing.
The CRA Board will meet at 5 pm Monday, August 24, at the Apopka Community Center.
The proposed budget for the fiscal year beginning October 1 totals $7,845,031, including $1.5 million in anticipated property-tax revenue, $217,383 in interest and approximately $6.13 million from reserves and carryover appropriations.
Capital improvements account for the largest portion of the proposed spending at approximately $4.52 million. Another $2.53 million would support assistance programs and other charges, while $300,000 would be budgeted for land acquisition.
Projects supported by the proposed budget include the Downtown Apopka Trail, downtown streetscape enhancements, a parking lot at M.A. Board Street and Hawthorne Avenue, improvements at Edwards Field and assistance programs for residential and commercial properties.
The budget includes $1.58 million for the Residential Renovation Assistance Program, approximately $354,000 for the proposed Down Payment Assistance Program and $320,000 for demolition projects. The CRA also would budget $777,000 for current and future land acquisitions when proposed spending is combined with carryover funding.
Down-payment program would offer up to $30,000
The board will consider establishing a program offering homebuyers as much as $30,000 toward the purchase of a single-family home within the CRA district.
Assistance would be limited to 25% of the home’s purchase price and provided through a deferred, non-amortizing second mortgage with no interest.
Recipients would have to make the property their primary residence and maintain its homestead status for five years. Anyone who sells, transfers, rents or stops using the home as a primary residence during that period would be required to repay a prorated portion of the assistance.
The repayment requirement would decline by 20% for each completed year. The assistance would be fully forgiven after the five-year residency requirement is completed.
Existing homes, new construction and houses requiring substantial renovations would be eligible. Applicants would have to complete a homebuyer-education course through a counseling agency approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The program would not impose an income limit, although applicants would be required to provide income information for reporting and demographic analysis. Funding would be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis as money is available.
The proposed budget includes $100,000 in new funding for the program, in addition to approximately $253,755 in carryover money.
CRA could purchase land for resource center
The board also will consider purchasing a vacant 0.45-acre property at 205 E. 8th St. from Duke Energy for $156,000.
The property has been identified as a possible site for a future resource center serving unhoused residents or another community-focused redevelopment project. Its ultimate use would require a separate public process and additional CRA approval.
The proposed agreement requires a $10,000 deposit and provides the City with a 120-day inspection period. During that period, the City could conduct environmental, engineering, land-use and other feasibility studies and terminate the purchase if the property is unsuitable.
If environmental contamination is identified, Duke Energy could choose to clean up the property, assess the cleanup costs or decline to proceed with remediation. The City could then decide whether to continue with or terminate the purchase.
The board unanimously directed staff in April to negotiate with Duke Energy over the property.
Board to revisit $299,000 downtown parcel
CRA members also will discuss the possible acquisition of a wooded, 0.42-acre parcel at 161 E. 6th St.
The property is listed for $299,000, substantially more than its assessed value of $110,286. Staff recommends obtaining a formal appraisal before moving forward.
One option would convert the property into parking for the Museum of the Apopkans and surrounding downtown businesses. Staff estimates the site could accommodate approximately 38 to 42 parking spaces.
A permanent paved parking lot could cost between $91,900 and $165,420 before expenses for stormwater improvements, lighting, landscaping, design and tree mitigation. A temporary gravel lot is estimated to cost between $27,500 and $64,300.
Staff cautioned that a parking lot might provide immediate benefits but may not represent the property’s best long-term use. Other possibilities include commercial or mixed-use development, a public plaza, an expansion of cultural facilities or a public-private redevelopment project.
A phased approach could use the land for temporary parking while preserving it for more intensive development later.
Decorative lighting proposed for East 5th Street
The board will review a Duke Energy proposal to install decorative bistro lighting along East 5th Street between Park and Central avenues.
The project calls for 10 concrete poles with banner arms and approximately 950 suspended string lights. The agreement would include maintenance and carry a 20-year term.
Without an audio system, the CRA could make an initial payment of $70,000 and pay $55 per month or make a $50,000 payment and pay $208 per month.
A version adding 12 commercial speakers and a four-channel amplifier would require either a $103,000 initial payment and $58 per month or a $50,000 payment and $474 per month.
CRA extension and design standards
The board will consider requesting an extension of the CRA’s operating term. The proposed resolution says redevelopment work remains necessary to address blight, complete capital projects, improve housing and encourage private investment.
If approved by the CRA Board, the request would go to the City Commission before being transmitted to Orange County. Extending the agency requires approval from the governing bodies of the affected taxing authorities.
Staff also will report on the possibility of creating design standards for properties within the redevelopment district.
The existing redevelopment plan discusses architectural and appearance guidelines for nonresidential properties but does not establish specific standards or address residential construction.
Rather than creating standalone regulations immediately, staff recommends beginning with a CRA color palette for publicly funded projects and façade programs. Staff then recommends updating the redevelopment plan, developing more comprehensive standards, and incorporating any enforceable requirements into the City’s Land Development Code.
Key Points:
- The proposed CRA budget totals $7,845,031, including approximately $6.13 million in reserves and carryover funding.
- A proposed down-payment program would provide eligible homebuyers with up to $30,000 for single-family properties inside the CRA district.
- The board will consider purchasing Duke Energy’s vacant property at 205 E. 8th St. for $156,000 for a possible resource center or another public use.
- CRA members will revisit a $299,000 property at 161 E. 6th St. that could provide museum parking or support a future redevelopment project.
- Duke Energy has proposed installing 10 poles and approximately 950 decorative lights along East 5th Street under a 20-year agreement.
