DRC denies 312-unit Floridian Town Center apartment plan

In Summary:

The Apopka Development Review Committee denied the Floridian Town Center Multifamily Phase One plan after city staff identified outstanding comments involving infrastructure, utilities, parking, and fire access. The developer sought conditional approval but must address the comments and return to the DRC before advancing to the Planning Commission and City Commission. The committee also reviewed Crossroads at Kelly Park Phase 2A-2 and three special events scheduled for later this year.

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A proposed 312-unit apartment development must go through Apopka’s development review process again after city staff recommended denial Wednesday because several issues remain unresolved.

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The Floridian Town Center Multifamily Phase One project was the most significant development item considered during the City of Apopka’s Development Review Committee meeting.

The major development plan calls for 312 apartments on the property with Planned Development zoning and a Residential High future land-use designation. The application was making its second appearance before the DRC, but Planning and Zoning staff said outstanding comments prevented them from recommending approval.

The denial does not necessarily spell the end of the project.

Instead, the developer must address the remaining city comments and return to the DRC before the proposal can advance to public hearings before the Planning Commission and ultimately the Apopka City Commission.

Developer sought conditional approval

Keith Barling of LJA, representing the applicant, asked the DRC to approve the major development plan conditioned on the remaining comments being addressed during the construction-plan stage.

Barling told the committee that he did not believe the outstanding issues would require significant changes to the development plan. One potential exception involved parking.

He said the applicable ordinance requires 1.45 parking spaces per apartment and maintained that the development's proposed parking exceeds that requirement.

City staff, however, was not prepared to move the project forward.

Public Works raised several infrastructure issues associated with Floridian Town Center. Although the two proposed apartment entrances are located on a portion of the roadway that has already been constructed, the underlying plat has not yet been approved.

More importantly, according to Public Works, water and sewer infrastructure needed to serve the project is not yet ready for use.

The lift station does not have pumps installed, and the water system has been sitting stagnant and will need to be flushed before the apartment development can connect to it and reclaim infrastructure.

Another issue involves an easement through the apartment property.

Public Works said an existing storm sewer running through the proposed parking lot should not become a public City of Apopka facility. Instead, the easement serving property to the north would need to be designated as a private utility easement.

Those concerns, along with Planning comments, led the DRC to conclude that the application was not ready to advance.

Staff told the applicant to address the comments in a response letter and that the project would have to return to the DRC. The parties also discussed whether the parking requirements in the project's previously approved PUD documents differed from the standards staff cited. The applicant referenced an ordinance and master plan revised June 19, 2024, which staff agreed to review.

Fire Department comments remain

The Apopka Fire Department also indicated that issues from an earlier review might remain unresolved.

Fire officials referenced comments dating to May 20 about an AutoTURN analysis that appeared to use the wrong-sized fire truck and questions about placing fire department connections on the same islands as hydrants.

The applicant said those issues had been addressed during the first review. Fire officials said they would examine the plans again because the updated AutoTURN information was not apparent during the latest review.

With those matters still being reviewed, Planning formally recommended denial.

Once the outstanding comments are resolved and the project clears the DRC, it can proceed to the Planning Commission for a recommendation and then to the City Commission for final approval or denial.

Crossroads at Kelly Park moves forward

Another residential project encountered considerably fewer obstacles Wednesday.

The DRC reviewed a resubmitted plat for Crossroads at Kelly Park Phase 2A-2, involving approximately 78 lots.

Staff reported that the plat had already received approvals from the city surveyor and legal counsel and was ready for the city administrator's signature. Planning recommended approval.

Staff also noted that because the application is a plat governed by Florida law, it is not required to go before the City Commission for approval.

Public Works briefly revisited a previous comment concerning wall easements before indicating it was satisfied with the application. Fire and Building reported no additional comments.

Three special events reviewed

The DRC also reviewed three upcoming special events, ranging from a Christmas race at the Northwest Recreation Complex to a Halloween-themed event expected to attract approximately 3,000 people.

Raised Fitness Professionals plans to bring back its 12 Ks of Christmas on Saturday, December 19, from 8–10 am at the Northwest Recreation Complex.

The Christmas-themed event allows runners to complete a 12K individually or as part of a relay team. Approximately 75 participants are expected, and the course will run entirely within the complex using its trails and sidewalks.

Organizers plan tents, course signage and water stations, with no alcohol served. Staff recommended approval.

The Walk for Life, hosted by Above & Beyond Pregnancy Center, is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 17.

Approximately 75 people are expected for the awareness walk, which will begin and end at First Baptist Church of Apopka. Participants will travel along Main Street and East First Street, with groups of five using the crosswalk signal at Park Avenue.

On the return trip, participants are expected to use the Orange County Trail Bridge. Apopka police found no public-safety concerns during their initial review and determined that off-duty officers would not be required.

Harvest Haunt could draw 3,000

The largest event discussed Wednesday was the Orlando Renaissance Festival's Harvest Haunt, scheduled for Oct. 16-18 at Edwards Field.

The ticketed event will feature an open-air haunted maze, pumpkin patch, vendor market, food trucks, pumpkin-carving activities, stage shows and local musical performances.

Organizers anticipate approximately 3,000 attendees over the three-day event. Hours are scheduled for 4–10 pm Friday and 2–10 pm Saturday and Sunday.

The site will include multiple tents, vendors, food trucks, a stage, portable restrooms, handwashing stations, and temporary fencing. Setup is scheduled for Oct. 14-15, with teardown Oct. 19-20.

Organizers are not planning to hire a private security company but will have staff responsible for ticketing and security. Because alcohol will be served, off-duty personnel will also be used.

Parking will be provided on Edwards Field, with organizers maintaining an emergency access route for police and fire vehicles. The Fire Department requested a list of participating food trucks and confirmed that off-duty fire personnel would be present.

The meeting concluded after the DRC finished its review of Floridian Town Center, leaving the 312-unit apartment proposal as the day's only major development application that must return before it can move further through Apopka's approval process.