By Emma Longwell, Interning Correspondent for The Apopka Voice
The Apopka City Council is grappling with the fate of a city-owned property, caught between the Rotary Club's vision for a community center and a deed restriction that could impede any changes.
The property at 797 Wells Street, also known as The Apopka Athletic Complex, is approximately 14 acres and appraised at just under $600,000. The Council voted 5-0 in October to lease part of it to the Rotary Club, but then the deal hit a snag a month later.
At the November 5th meeting, City Attorney Cliff Shepard detailed the challenges of lifting restrictions tied to a Florida Department of Environmental (FDEP) Protection grant.
"[Finance Director Blanche Sherman]. . . assures me that the deed restriction applied to that property . . . [and] assuming she's correct . . . there's nothing in the surplus because it has a limitation on what the property can be used for and this use isn't on that list," he said.
To pursue any changes, the Council would need to present the Rotary Club's proposal to the FDEP, outlining why the modification was in the city's best interest and determining whether the agency would even consider the request.
Sherman confirmed that the restriction would remain in place for 25 years, starting from 2020. However, there was a possible route forward: the city could explore replacing the affected three acres with another parcel of land. However, the replacement would need to be close and maintain a similar public use designation.
The process would also require community outreach to gauge public sentiment and ensure compliance with grant stipulations. With the complexities laid bare, Shepard sought a clear directive—should they proceed with exploring the "art of the possible?"
"We just have to follow the steps if we do," Shepard said.
The Council agreed to move forward, tasking Sherman with securing concrete responses from the FDEP regarding the necessary steps for modification.
Bill Spiegel, a Rotary Club representative, emphasized the club's commitment to working within the FDEP's guidelines. He pointed out that the original grant had focused on the Apopka Athletic Complex, specifically enhancing playground and parking facilities for public outdoor use. While acknowledging the importance of preserving these elements, he also noted that the agreement provided room for negotiation regarding usage adjustments.
"For nearly a century, the Rotary Club of Apopka has been committed to serving this community," he said. "This community center is our legacy — an investment of over a million dollars to make Apopka a better place."
His main concern was ensuring that the city and Rotary Club reached a mutual understanding before moving forward with expensive site plans and surveys.
"The city asked us to wait, and we did," he said. "We invested over $50,000 into this effort. But instead of progress, we've faced more delays, more discussions, and fewer answers."
Despite the ongoing obstacles, he reassured the Council of the Rotary Club's unwavering dedication.
"Even with all these setbacks, the Rotary Club isn't giving up. We're here to serve Apopka."
Commissioner Diane Velazquez was particularly critical of how the city handled the restriction.
"This agenda item was initially presented at the October 2, 2024, Apopka City Council meeting," Velazquez said. "At that time, the Restriction of the Property was NOT disclosed. Following that council meeting, Information was received via email that the parcel had a restriction on it from FDEP. The restriction should have been disclosed at the very early stages of consideration. Instead, it was disclosed, after leases were written up."
In follow-up communications, the city engaged in further discussions with FDEP officials, seeking guidance on the park's conversion requirements. Emails between city staff and FDEP representatives revealed key concerns about maintaining the park's viability, particularly regarding the loss of parking and its impact on the adjacent ball fields. FDEP officials confirmed that surplusing a portion of the property would trigger a conversion process requiring the city to provide replacement land of comparable scope and quality. The agency emphasized that the property must remain dedicated to public outdoor recreation for the duration of the 25-year grant period, complicating the city's efforts to repurpose the land for an indoor community center.
Shepard noted the potential next steps.
"They essentially offer it as a property now available to anyone who expresses interest, and they get to decide what their best option would be based on the expressed interest. If the Rotary is the only one who expresses interest, but that's not enough and is not likely to be known until the surplus process is completed."
