From Staff Reports
In Summary:
The Apopka City Commission will consider resolutions establishing new rates for water, wastewater, reclaimed water, and sanitation services. They will also review a major development plan for a 137-room hotel at Floridian Town Center, along with proposals for new housing, a child care facility, and mixed-use development near Kelly Park Road. The meeting begins at 1:30 pm September 2 at the Apopka Community Center and will also be livestreamed.
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The Apopka City Commission will consider increases to water, wastewater, reclaimed-water and sanitation rates during a meeting packed with development proposals, land-use changes and city policy decisions Wednesday, September 2.
Related: Apopka CRA adopts $7.8 million budget, redirects money to park and sidewalks.
The commission will meet at 1:30 pm at the Apopka Community Center.
Among the most consequential items are separate resolutions establishing higher utility and sanitation rates. The agenda does not specify the proposed increases, but representatives from Raftelis, the consulting firm studying the city’s rates, are scheduled to present.
The commission will also consider a budget amendment for the fiscal year ending September 30 and receive an informational report comparing the city’s budget with actual spending through July 31.
Floridian Town Center hotel returns
Commissioners are scheduled to consider a major development plan for a proposed 137-room hotel at Floridian Town Center.
The hotel would be built on approximately 2.91 acres of vacant commercial property within the planned development. Florence Hotel Company LLC and Apopka Acquisition Company LLC are listed as the property owners.
Because the matter is quasi-judicial, commissioners will consider testimony and evidence presented during the meeting before deciding whether to approve the development plan.
Child care facility proposed on Chandler Road
Two related ordinances would clear the way for a child care facility on approximately 5.12 acres at 4410 and 4420 Chandler Road.
The properties currently carry a Residential Very Low Suburban future land-use designation and RSF-1A residential zoning. The applicant is requesting an Office future land-use designation and Office zoning to accommodate the proposed facility.
The Commission will consider the future land-use amendment as a legislative matter, while it will hear the zoning change as a quasi-judicial item. Both ordinances are scheduled for first reading.
Rock Springs Road housing proposal
Commissioners will also hear two ordinances related to a proposed 18-home development at 2501 Rock Springs Road.
The project would place 18 detached single-family houses on approximately 9.63 acres, producing a density of about two homes per acre. The requests include a small-scale future land-use amendment and a zoning change, both scheduled for first reading.
Mixed-use proposals near Kelly Park Road
Two future land-use amendments could allow mixed-use development on separate properties near Kelly Park Road.
The Kelly Park Road Commercial proposal covers approximately 3.48 acres east of Effie Drive and north of Kelly Park Road. The property is vacant and currently has Orange County rural land-use and agricultural zoning designations. The requested mixed-use designation would allow commercial development and up to 10 residential units per acre, or up to 15 per acre with bonuses.
A separate Twin Fountains Commercial proposal involves approximately 5.09 acres east of Plymouth Sorrento Road and south of Kelly Park Road. The vacant property is currently designated Residential Very Low Suburban and zoned for agriculture.
The proposed mixed-use designation would permit between 7.5 and 20 residential units per acre, with the possibility of reaching 25 units per acre through development bonuses. Both proposals are scheduled for first reading.
Another first-reading ordinance would annex the section of Fudge Road extending from Kitt Avenue to State Road 429 and Connector Road into the city.
Public participation and board appointments
The consent agenda includes a resolution addressing the City Commission’s public participation policies and procedures.
Under the procedures described in the meeting agenda, the general public comment period is limited to 30 minutes and is reserved for city-related matters that are not listed as business items or public hearings. Speakers generally receive three minutes, though that time can be reduced to two minutes if many residents submit speaker cards.
Commissioners will also consider a policy governing the appointment of the mayor and commissioners to additional boards.
Two ordinances scheduled for second reading would establish appointment procedures for members of the Apopka Community Redevelopment Agency and Planning Commission.
Police training facility and public-safety grant
The commission will consider approving a negotiated contract with Architects Design Group for a facility needs assessment related to a proposed law enforcement training facility. The agenda does not list the contract amount.
Commissioners will also be asked to authorize the police chief or a designee to accept a $25,259 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant.
Other consent-agenda items include an emergency designation for repairs to the North Shore slow sand filter pond liner, contracts for general construction services and authorization to dispose of surplus city property.
Street closures and community events
Three requests for event-related street closures are included on the consent agenda.
The closures would accommodate the Pines of Wekiva homeowners association’s Holiday Fest and two Apopka Police Department events: Halloween Highway and Horsepower for Heroes.
The commission is also scheduled to recognize Deputy City Clerk Jodi Wrigley for earning her Certified Municipal Clerk designation.
Residents who want to address a business item or public hearing must submit a white intent-to-speak form to the city clerk before the item is heard. Those wishing to speak during the general public comment period must submit a green form before the meeting begins.
The meeting is available to view on the City of Apopka’s YouTube channel.
Key Points:
- Commissioners will consider proposed increases to utility and sanitation rates.
- A 137-room hotel is proposed on 2.91 acres at Floridian Town Center.
- An 18-home development is proposed for 2501 Rock Springs Road.
- Mixed-use land-use amendments are proposed for two properties near Kelly Park Road.
- The meeting begins at 1:30 pm September 2 at the Apopka Community Center.
