By Justin Baltes, Interning Correspondent for The Apopka Voice
In Summary:
Apopka’s Development Review Committee reviewed school, housing, and community event plans at its September 30 meeting. Paulucci Acres Pod 2 and Crossroads at Kelly Park Phase 3B received recommendations for denial pending resolution of outstanding comments, while the Papka K-8 Charter School site plan revision received a recommendation for approval. Upcoming events include a November Turkey Trot, December’s Christmas in the Park and the Zerbini Family Circus in February.
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Apopka is continuing to grow, and the city's Development Review Committee is reviewing the projects and infrastructure needed to support that growth.
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At its September 30 meeting, the committee reviewed a charter school site plan, two major residential proposals that could add 165 homes, a proposed roadway extension and three upcoming community events. While some projects moved forward, others remain under review as city officials work through questions involving emergency access, pedestrian safety, drainage, wetlands, and other infrastructure concerns.
The meeting offered a look at how new development could change parts of Apopka while also bringing new schools, housing, roads, and community events to the city.
Apopka K-8 Charter School Moves Forward
The Apopka K-8 Charter School construction site plan revision received a recommendation for approval after city departments reviewed the changes.
Planning reported no outstanding comments, while Public Works confirmed that previous comments had been addressed. Police, Fire, and Building also reported no additional concerns.
The approval recommendation represents one of the projects that successfully moved through the committee's review process Wednesday.
While the school plan itself did not generate major debate during the meeting, its approval comes as the city continues to review new residential development in surrounding areas.
New Events Coming to Apopka
The Development Review Committee also reviewed three upcoming events that will bring activities to Apopka over the next several months.
The first is the Turkey Trot, scheduled for Nov. 21 at the Northwest Recreation Complex. Reyes Fitness Professionals plans to host a 5K and fun run from 7 to 9 a.m., with about 150 participants expected.
The event will include tents, water stations, signage and potentially food vendors. The race will primarily use the complex's existing trail system, with volunteers stationed at crosswalks to help runners safely navigate the course.
In December, Christmas in the Park will come to Edwards Field on Dec. 19. The event, organized by the Brandon Merriweather 31 Ways Foundation, is expected to draw approximately 400 people and will include a community resource fair and toy giveaway.
The event will run from noon to 4 pm Organizers plan to use tents for community vendors, hire private security, and dedicate part of Edwards Field for parking.
Looking ahead to February, the Zerbini Family Circus is scheduled to come to Edwards Field Feb. 26-27, 2027. The family-friendly circus will feature aerial acts, acrobatics, comedy, and specialty performers, along with domestic animals, ponies, and miniature donkeys.
Organizers expect approximately 250 people for the event. Food and concessions will also be available, and parking will be provided on a portion of Edwards Field.
These three events hope to bring hundreds of people to Apopka recreation facilities and public spaces between November and February and be another positive experience in Apopka.
Housing Growth Brings New Development to Apopka
The Apopka Development Review Committee reviewed two major residential projects Wednesday, including a proposed 59-home section of Paulucci Acres and a 106-lot phase of Crossroads at Kelly Park.
The DRC recommended denial of the Paulucci Acres Pod 2 major development plan along West Ponkan Road, pending resolution of outstanding comments. The proposed development would include 59 single-family homes. Much of the discussion centered on lot widths, amenities, pedestrian access, and whether the neighborhood needs a secondary entrance.
One of the biggest concerns was emergency access. Apopka Fire Marshal Jeremy Holderfield asked what would happen if an accident or other incident blocked the development's primary entrance. The applicant said the entrance would be widened to allow fire trucks to access both sides. City officials said they would need to verify whether city code requires a secondary access point.
The committee also discussed a possible mid-block crossing that would connect residents to the development's trail system. The applicant raised concerns about the safety of placing a crosswalk in the middle of the roadway, while Dale Smith from Public Works asked the developer to discuss the possibility further.
Meanwhile, Crossroads at Kelly Park Phase 3B received a recommendation for denial during its first submission. The proposed plat includes 106 lots, but comments from the city's legal department, city surveyor and Public Works remain unresolved.
Together, the two projects represent 165 proposed residential lots moving through Apopka's development review process. While neither project received approval Wednesday, the discussions show the city is evaluating how new housing will connect to roads, trails, and emergency services before development moves forward.
Key Points:
- The Apopka K-8 Charter School construction site plan revision received a recommendation for approval after departments reported no outstanding concerns.
- Paulucci Acres Pod 2 proposes 59 single-family homes along West Ponkan Road, with emergency access and pedestrian connections among the unresolved issues.
- Crossroads at Kelly Park Phase 3B proposes 106 lots, with legal, surveying, and Public Works comments still outstanding.
- Both residential submissions received recommendations for denial pending resolution of comments.
- The committee reviewed plans for the November 21 Turkey Trot, December 19 Christmas in the Park and Feb. 26-27, 2027, Zerbini Family Circus.
