From Staff Reports
In Summary:
Three-sentence summary: Two proposals would redesignate approximately 8.6 acres near Kelly Park Road for mixed-use development. The changes would establish a land-use framework for future commercial projects but would not approve final site plans, tenants or building layouts. Commissioners will also consider allowing a 488-square-foot accessory dwelling unit at 107 N. Central Ave.
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The Apopka Planning Commission will take up three public hearings Tuesday evening, including two proposals intended to lay the groundwork for commercial development in the Kelly Park Interchange area and a request for an accessory dwelling unit in downtown Apopka.
The meeting begins at 5:30 pm August 11 in the Apopka City Hall Commission Chambers and will be livestreamed on the city’s YouTube channel.
The two Kelly Park-area items are future land-use amendments. Approval would change the city’s policy map and allow the properties to move forward under the Kelly Park Interchange planning framework, but it would not approve final site plans, tenants, access points or building layouts. Those details would be reviewed later.
Kelly Park Road Commercial
Ordinance No. 3164 covers three vacant parcels totaling about 3.48 acres east of Effie Drive and north of Kelly Park Road. Effie Road Holdings LLC is the owner, and Luke Classon, P.E., is listed as the applicant.
The request would change the properties’ future land-use designations from County Rural and Future Land Use-In Progress to city Mixed-Use. The agenda packet says the applicant intends a commercial development with access from Kelly Park Road and stub-outs for future connections.
City staff says the amendment fits the planned transition of the corridor from rural and low-intensity residential uses toward the commercial and mixed-use pattern envisioned in the Kelly Park Interchange Form-Based Code. One resident attended a February 9 community meeting, and the applicant reported no opposition.
The Development Review Committee recommended approval April 22. If the Planning Commission also recommends approval, the packet lists City Council hearings for September 2 at 1:30 pm and September 16 at 6 pm.
Twin Fountains Commercial
Ordinance No. 3170 would change the future land-use designation on approximately 5.09 acres at 4849 Plymouth Sorrento Road, east of Plymouth Sorrento Road and south of Kelly Park Road, from Residential Very Low Suburban to Mixed-Use. Effie Road Holdings LLC also owns this property, with Classon again listed as the applicant.
The applicant has described a multi-tenant commercial center, though the packet says no specific tenants or final site plan have been identified. A companion rezoning request would place the property in the Kelly Park Interchange Mixed-Use-Village Center district. Site design, circulation, access, parking, landscaping, stormwater, utilities and compatibility would be addressed through rezoning and later development review.
Four nearby property owners attended a February 25 community meeting. The packet reports no opposition; discussion focused on possible uses, whether residential components could be included, timing and connections to neighboring properties.
The Development Review Committee recommended approval July 22. The same Sept. 2 and September 16 City Council hearing dates are listed in the packet if the amendment advances.
Downtown accessory dwelling unit
In a separate quasi-judicial hearing, property owner Johnny Navarro is seeking a special exception to allow an accessory dwelling unit at 107 N. Central Ave. The 0.21-acre property contains a single-family home and is zoned Mixed-Use Downtown.
The proposed one-story unit would total 488 square feet, below the 500-square-foot maximum cited in the staff report. The packet describes the project as a conversion involving an existing detached structure and says surrounding properties are also single-family homes with the same future land-use and zoning designations.
Staff reported no objection under the city’s special-exception standards, and the Development Review Committee recommends approval subject to the staff report and exhibits. Unlike the two legislative land-use amendments, the Planning Commission has authority to approve, deny, or approve the special exception with conditions. Its action may be appealed to the City Council.
Other business and participation
Commissioners are also scheduled to elect a vice chairperson and consider approval of the July 14 meeting minutes. The agenda notes that a Land Development Code workshop is planned after the commission’s September 8 items, with discussion expected on data-center definitions, open space and commercial development.
People who want to speak are instructed to submit an intent-to-speak form to the city clerk before the meeting begins. The packet states that speakers receive three minutes. The city asks people who need disability accommodations to contact the city clerk at least two working days before the meeting at 407-703-1704.
Key Points:
- The meeting begins at 5:30 pm Tuesday, August 11, at Apopka City Hall.
- Ordinance No. 3164 covers approximately 3.48 acres east of Effie Drive and north of Kelly Park Road.
- Ordinance No. 3170 covers approximately 5.09 acres at 4849 Plymouth Sorrento Road.
- Both land-use amendments are intended to support future commercial development but do not approve final development plans.
- The commission will separately decide whether to allow a 488-square-foot accessory dwelling unit at 107 N. Central Ave.
