Apopka meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Apopka roundup: No final votes this week, but zoning, code enforcement, and CRA budget on the horizon

In the past two weeks, Apopka's boards and committees met to review agendas, but no final decisions have been recorded — minutes for all recent meetings have not yet been published. The most consequential items under consideration include zoning changes for a child care facility and warehouse storage, a special exception for outdoor storage, and an upcoming Community Redevelopment Agency budget adoption.

City Commission (Aug. 19)

The City Commission held first readings on two ordinances to rezone 5.12 acres at 4410/4420 Chandler Road from residential to office for a child care facility (Ordinances 3158/3159). It also held second readings on ordinances to rezone 5.23 acres on E. Keene Road from commercial to industrial for warehouse storage (Ordinances 3160/3161). The commission reviewed its rules of order, public participation policies, and board appointment procedures, and received an investment portfolio update. A request to continue the Floridian Town Center Hotel development plan (137 rooms) to Sept. 2, 2026, was on the agenda.

In a separate Aug. 19 meeting, the commission discussed a Kelly Park Road & Pioneering Agreement and identified future workshop topics, including a resource center for the unhoused, transportation improvements, utility infrastructure, and a comprehensive plan. No formal votes or public hearings were scheduled for that session.

Planning Commission (Aug. 11)

The Planning Commission held public hearings on a special exception at 107 N. Central Avenue (applicant Johnny Navarro) and two future land-use amendments: Ordinance 3164 would rezone 3.48 acres east of Effie Drive and north of Kelly Park Road from County Rural to Mixed-Use (max 10 dwelling units per acre, 15 with bonus); Ordinance 3170 would rezone 5.09 acres east of Plymouth Sorrento Road and south of Kelly Park Road from Residential Very Low Suburban to Mixed-Use (max 20 units per acre, 25 with bonus). The commission also elected a vice-chairperson and discussed a Land Development Code workshop covering data center definitions, open spaces, and commercial development.

Development Review Committee (Aug. 12 and Aug. 19)

On Aug. 12, the committee reviewed four special event permits, including the Pines of Wekiva Holiday Festival (Dec. 5, 2026, Wekiva Pines Blvd.) and the Heart & Soul Music Festival (Oct. 10, 2026, Apopka Amphitheater, 3710 Jason Dwelley Pkwy.). It also reviewed a special exception request for outdoor storage and overnight parking at 300 S Bradshaw Rd. (Carolina Textiles), a construction site plan for a ~600-foot access road on W Kelly Park Rd between Effie Dr and Hwy 429 (Wyld Oaks Road C Extension), and an amendment to the Ridgebrooke Subdivision plan to adjust lot depth and add open space.

On Aug. 19, the committee reviewed construction site plans for a 7,400-square-foot commercial building at 2050 Plymouth Sorrento Road, a 23,217-square-foot place of worship at 1567 Plymouth Sorrento Road, a retrofit of an existing building at the same address, and a 7-lot residential subdivision at 550 W Lester Rd. These were discussion items, not final approvals.

Code Enforcement Hearing (Aug. 18)

The Code Enforcement Hearing considered more than 35 cases, including parking violations (cases 2026TC0664576 and 2026TC066637) and municipal and land development code violations at properties across the city, including 223 Bonnie Glen Lane, 234 East 8th Street, 740 Sugar Plum Lane, 1517 Lake Alden Drive, 5598 Galloping Drive, and South Central Avenue. The board also issued a final order for case 25-00608 at 2637 Grassmoor Loop.

Coming up

The Community Redevelopment Agency meets Aug. 24 at 1:30 PM in City Hall Council Chambers. The agenda includes the 5th Street Lighting Project, a request to extend the CRA term, a Down Payment Assistance Program, evaluation of a potential property purchase at 161 East 6th Street, purchase of property at 205 E 8th Street, and adoption of the FY 2026/2027 budget (Resolutions 2026-01 and 2026-02). The City Commission is scheduled to take up the Floridian Town Center Hotel plan on Sept. 2.

Apopka Commission weighs property tax rate, major developments

Apopka city boards met over the past two weeks to consider a proposed property tax rate, several large residential and commercial projects, and zoning changes. No final decisions have been published yet — minutes for all recent meetings are pending — so the items below are what was on the table for discussion and action.

Property tax rate on the table

The City Commission held two meetings in late July to set the proposed millage rate for Fiscal Year 2026-27. A public hearing and vote were scheduled for July 27, and the commission again took up the rate on July 30. The exact proposed rate was not listed in the agenda. Approval of the July 27 special meeting minutes was also on the July 30 agenda.

Major development plans reviewed

At its August 5 meeting, the commission considered several large projects:

• A major development plan for 363 multi-family units at Binion Road and Boy Scout Road.
• A 137-room hotel at Floridian Town Center.
• A revised plan for a 168,180-square-foot building at 2560 W. Orange Blossom Trail.
• Rezoning of 5.12 acres at 4410 and 4420 Chandler Road from residential to office for a child care facility.
• Rezoning of 5.23 acres on E. Keene Road from community commercial to light industrial for enclosed car storage.

Other commission items

On July 27, the commission discussed an interlocal cooperation agreement with Orange County for community development programs, and considered repealing Resolution No. 2026-06. It also discussed representation on MetroPlan Orlando and other boards.

Development Review Committee actions

The Development Review Committee met twice. On July 29, it reviewed site plans for a 6,300-square-foot retail/restaurant and fueling station on W Kelly Park Road, a 6,815-square-foot AutoZone at 1788 Rock Springs Road, a 16-unit multifamily project at 734 Piedmont Wekiwa Road, and tennis and pickleball courts at 2500 Bush Drive. It also considered special event requests for a backpack giveaway and a Fall Family Festival at Kit Land Nelson Park.

On August 5, the committee reviewed a 502-lot residential subdivision (Paulucci Acres), a 120-foot stealth cell tower at 4112 Sadler Rd, a rezoning request for three parcels on Sir Arthur Court, a 115-lot subdivision (Eden Crest Phase 2), and a 67-lot site plan at 3100 Ondich Road.

Coming up

• **Planning Commission** – Aug. 11: Public hearings on a special exception at 107 N. Central Avenue and two future land-use amendments (Kelly Park Road Commercial and Twin Fountains Commercial) that would rezone vacant parcels to Mixed-Use. Commissioners will also elect a vice-chairperson and discuss a Land Development Code workshop on data center definitions, open spaces, and commercial development.
• **Development Review Committee** – Aug. 12: Review of four special event permits, a special exception for outdoor storage and overnight parking at 300 S Bradshaw Rd, a road extension on W Kelly Park Road, and an amendment to the Ridgebrooke Subdivision plan.

All meetings are open to the public. Agendas and minutes are available on the city's website.

Apopka meetings set stage for tax rate, major housing plans; outcomes pending as minutes unpublished

Apopka's City Commission and Development Review Committee held a series of meetings over the past two weeks covering the proposed property tax rate, large residential subdivisions, and several commercial site plans. Minutes have not yet been published for any of these meetings, so outcomes — including whether votes passed — cannot be confirmed from the available record. What follows is based on the published agendas.

City Commission: Proposed Millage Rate for 2026-27

The City Commission scheduled a public hearing and vote to set the proposed Fiscal Year 2026-27 millage rate at its July 27 special meeting and again at its July 30 meeting. The July 30 agenda also included approval of the July 27 special meeting minutes. No specific millage figure appears in the agenda data, and no vote tally is available because minutes have not been published.

The millage rate determines the property tax residents pay per $1,000 of assessed value. Setting the proposed rate is a required procedural step before final adoption of the budget later in the fiscal cycle.

City Commission: Interlocal Agreement and Board Representation

A separate July 27 commission agenda included an Interlocal Cooperation Agreement between Orange County and the City of Apopka for Community Development Programs under the Urban County Program. The commission also was scheduled to act on Resolution No. 2026-32, which would repeal Resolution No. 2026-06. Discussion items covered commission representation for MetroPlan Orlando and for additional boards. No outcomes are confirmed.

Development Review Committee: Large Residential Subdivisions

On July 22, the Development Review Committee reviewed several land use applications. The largest was MDP-26-1, a proposed 502 single-family-lot subdivision at 2213 Vick Road. Other residential items included PL-26-1, a 240-lot residential development at 4648 Chandler Road, and CSP-26-20, a 109-lot subdivision at 1920 Sheeler Avenue. The committee also reviewed MDP-26-5, a 30,000-square-foot warehouse at 3716 Hogshead Road, and AN-26-2, annexation of 2525 Clarcona Road for warehouse use.

Development Review Committee: Retail, Residential, and Recreation Site Plans

On July 29, the committee reviewed construction site plans for a 6,300-square-foot retail/restaurant and fueling station on W. Kelly Park Road, a 6,815-square-foot AutoZone at 1788 Rock Springs Road, and a 16-unit multifamily residential project at 734 Piedmont Wekiwa Road. A site plan for tennis and pickleball courts at 2500 Bush Drive was also on the agenda. Special event requests for a backpack giveaway and a Fall Family Festival at Kit Land Nelson Park were listed.

Coming Up

Aug. 5 — Development Review Committee: Review of MDP-26-1, the 502-lot Paulucci Acres residential subdivision at 2213 Vick Road; CSP-26-22, a 120-foot stealth wireless telecommunications facility at 4112 Sadler Road; RZ-26-3, a rezoning request for 543, 544, and 552 Sir Arthur Court to RSF-1A; PL-25-8, a plat application for Eden Crest Phase 2, a 115-lot subdivision; and CSP-26-5, a construction site plan for 67 single-family lots at 3100 Ondich Road.

Aug. 5 — City Commission: Major Development Plan for 363 multifamily units at Binion Road and Boy Scout Road; Major Development Plan for a 137-room hotel at Floridian Town Center; Revised Major Development Plan for a 168,180-square-foot building at 2560 W. Orange Blossom Trail; rezoning of 5.12 acres at 4410 and 4420 Chandler Road from residential to office for a child care facility; and rezoning of 5.23 acres on E. Keene Road from community commercial to light industrial for enclosed car storage.

Residents seeking confirmed outcomes from the July meetings should watch for published minutes on the City of Apopka's official website.

Apopka boards weigh major housing, zoning, and budget items in busy two-week stretch

Apopka's city boards and commissions faced a packed agenda over the past two weeks, with proposals spanning hundreds of new homes, multiple zoning changes, and the city's upcoming budget. Because minutes have not yet been published for any of these meetings, what follows reflects the agendas as posted; outcomes and vote tallies are not yet available.

City Commission: Budget, zoning, and personnel

The City Commission had several sessions scheduled. On July 15, a special meeting was set to discuss and act on the proposed property tax millage rate for fiscal year 2026-27, presented by Finance Director Blanche Sherman. A separate July 8 budget workshop covered the FY2027 Preliminary Budget, also presented by Sherman; that session was discussion only, with no final decisions expected.

The commission's regular July 15 meeting included a public hearing on a zoning change for a 5.12-acre property at 4410 Chandler Road to allow a child care facility. Other agenda items were a $33,290.00 funding agreement with MetroPlan Orlando, ratification of Steven Montiero as Public Information Director, an amendment to the 2025-2026 budget, and an award of contract for the Golden Gem Reclaim Water Pump Station.

Development Review Committee: Housing, retail, and special events

The Development Review Committee met July 8 and July 15. The July 8 agenda included a master plan amendment (PD-26-1) to rezone 4033 West Kelly Park Road from Agriculture to MU-KPI, a 115-lot subdivision plat (PL-25-8, Eden Crest Phase 2) on Johns Road and South Binion Road, a 6,815 SF AutoZone at 1788 Rock Springs Road (CSP-26-12), and a 240-unit townhome project at 4648 Chandler Road (CSP-26-21). Special event permits were also listed for the Saint Paul Apopka Faith and Fitness 5K, the Workers Solidarity Cup soccer tournament, and a Community Sports Day.

On July 15, the committee held a public hearing on SPX-26-1, a special exception request from Carolina Textiles for overnight parking as part of outdoor storage at 300 S South Bradshaw Road. This was the second submittal of that application.

Planning Commission: Keene Road zoning and cold storage plan

The Planning Commission's July 14 agenda included public hearings on Ordinance 3160, a small-scale future land use amendment for a 5.23-acre property on E. Keene Road, and Ordinance 3161, a corresponding change of zoning from Community Commercial to Light Industrial. The commission also planned to discuss a special exception request for 1030 E. Sandpiper Street and review a revised major development plan for a cold storage facility called Cold Link Apopka at 2560 W. Orange Blossom Trail. Approval of the commission's June 9, 2026 meeting minutes was also on the agenda.

Coming up

The Development Review Committee meets again July 22. The agenda includes a proposed 502 single-family-lot subdivision at 2213 Vick Road (MDP-26-1), a 240-lot residential development at 4648 Chandler Road (PL-26-1), a 30,000 SF warehouse at 3716 Hogshead Road (MDP-26-5), an annexation of 2525 Clarcona Road for warehouse use (AN-26-2), and a 109-lot subdivision at 1920 Sheeler Avenue (CSP-26-20).

Note: All meetings listed above are reflected as posted agendas. Minutes and vote outcomes were not available at the time of this report.

Apopka Review: 363-Unit Apartment Complex, FY2027 Budget on the Table; Millage Rate Vote Set for July 15

Apopka's recent government meetings focused on major residential development proposals and the city's upcoming budget, though minutes from those sessions have not yet been published. Meanwhile, the City Commission is scheduled to act on the proposed fiscal year 2026-27 property tax millage rate on July 15.

Development Review Committee — July 1

The Development Review Committee was scheduled to review a plat for the Floridian Town Center mixed-use project at Connector Road and State Road 429. Also on the agenda were amendments to two construction site plans: Crescent Ridge (Pulte), involving removal of a lift station and force main, and The Ridge PD Parcel 9, covering 41 single-family units by Toll Brothers. Two special event permits for Deuterman Productions concerts at the Apopka Amphitheater — one on October 24, 2026, and one on November 21, 2026 — were also listed.

Minutes for this meeting have not yet been published, so no outcomes are available.

City Commission — July 1

The commission was set to hold a quasi-judicial hearing on The Ridge Phase 3, a major development plan for 363 multi-family units on 13.23 acres at the southeast corner of Binion Road and Boy Scout Road.

First-reading ordinances on the agenda included a small-scale future land use amendment and rezoning to Office use for a child care facility at 4410 and 4420 Chandler Road, and an annexation of 4.85 acres at 2850/2864 Dowman Drive from County A-1 to city zoning.

The consent agenda listed piggyback contracts with FDMS for motor vehicles, waste equipment, utility restoration, and pipe repair, plus code enforcement settlement agreements for 1760 Saddleback Ridge Road and 215 Sharp Street.

Minutes for this meeting have not yet been published.

Development Review Committee — July 8

The committee was scheduled to consider several significant items, including a 115-lot subdivision plat (Eden Crest Phase 2) on Johns Road and South Binion Road, and a master plan amendment to rezone 4033 West Kelly Park Road from Agriculture to MU-KPI.

Also on the agenda: a 6,815-square-foot AutoZone at 1788 Rock Springs Road, a 240-unit townhome project at 4646 Chandler Road, and special event permits for the Saint Paul Apopka Faith and Fitness 5K, the Workers Solidarity Cup soccer tournament, and Community Sports Day.

Minutes have not yet been published.

Budget Workshop — July 8

The City Commission held a workshop to review the FY2027 Preliminary Budget, presented by Finance Director Blanche Sherman. The session included a public comment period. This was a discussion session only; no final decisions were made. Minutes have not yet been published.

Coming Up

July 14 — Planning Commission: Public hearings on Ordinance 3160 (small-scale future land use amendment) and Ordinance 3161 (change of zoning) for a 5.23-acre property on E. Keene Road, requesting a change from Community Commercial to Light Industrial. Also scheduled: discussion on a Special Exception request for 1030 E. Sandpiper Street, review of the Revised Cold Link Apopka Major Development Plan at 2560 W. Orange Blossom Trail, and approval of June 9, 2026 meeting minutes.

July 15 — Special Meeting (City Commission): Discussion and action on the proposed fiscal year 2026-27 millage rate, presented by Finance Director Blanche Sherman.

July 15 — Development Review Committee: Public hearing on SPX-26-1, a special exception request from Carolina Textiles for overnight parking as part of outdoor storage at 300 S South Bradshaw Road. This is the second submittal of the application.

July 15 — City Commission: Public hearing on a zoning change for a 5.12-acre property at 4410 Chandler Road to allow a child care facility. The agenda also includes a $33,290.00 funding agreement with MetroPlan Orlando, ratification of Steven Montiero as Public Information Director, an amendment to the 2025-2026 budget, and award of a contract for the Golden Gem Reclaim Water Pump Station.