From Staff Reports
Apopka continues to grow, but is it smart growth?
The Development Review Committee (DRC), at its June 25th meeting, approved plans for three residential projects that will bring more than 500 new homes to the city.
The Apopka Critic Facebook page, with over 15,000 followers, was the first to post about the meeting and provided early insight into the proceedings while the meeting was still underway.
"In just 11 minutes, the Development Review Board and Community Development Divisions strolled through three projects that will bring over 500 new homes into the City," the Critic posted. "The SpringHaven development on Kelly Park Road brought no discussion on Kelly Park Road improvements. That might be because the City has no Transportation Coordinator to offer insight into what the plan is, and is there a timeline? We want to welcome all the new homeowners to our crowded streets and failing infrastructure."
The Spring Haven development, a proposed residential community located on Kelly Park Road in Apopka, is planning 191 single-family homes and will be developed on approximately 78 acres of land. SpringHaven is part of a larger wave of residential growth in the Kelly Park area, which has seen increased development activity due to its proximity to State Road 429 and the planned expansion of infrastructure and commercial services.
Another project, slated for Sheeler Road, will add more than 100 homes near the Apopka Police Department's outdoor gun range. Chief Michael McKinley, a member of the DRC, instructed the developer to include disclosures about potential noise in the future homebuyers' contracts. McKinley has been advocating for a modern indoor firearms training facility, but said it's a few years away.
The Critic would like to see that shooting range become a reality sooner.
"How would you like a gun range next to your new neighborhood? Asked the Critic. "Plans went through the Development Review Committee today for 1920 Sheeler Road. The project will have over one hundred homes near the Apopka Police Department's outdoor gun range. Apopka Police Chief Mike McKinley made sure that the developer notifies the new home buyers of the possible noise coming from the range. Chief McKinley has been advocating to the City Council and the Mayor for a new, up-to-date indoor firearms training facility and training center for the growing police department. We hope to see those plans in the upcoming public safety budget workshops."
A third development was approved on M.A. BOard Street.
All three projects are currently in various stages of review and will require additional permitting, engineering, and construction phases before they are completed. The developments are part of a broader trend of residential growth in northwest Apopka, which has seen an increase in permitting activity over the past several years.
The next DRC meeting is Wednesday, July 2nd, at 9 am in the Apopka City Hall Council Chambers.
