Apartments, retail approved in Ocoee

The Commission approved the construction of a mixed-use development that will consist of 301 multi-family dwelling units and 20,000 square feet of commercial retail space within nine buildings.

By Andrea Mujica
| 9:45 a.m. July 28, 2022

West Orange Times & Observer
News

The Ocoee City Commission approved unanimously the construction of a mixed-use development that will be located on the west side of Ocoee-Apopka Road and the north side of State Road 429 during its July 19 meeting.

According to the agenda, the city of Ocoee came to an agreement with Wire Development LLC Sept. 21, 2021, to purchase the property — about 16.17 acres — which falls within the Ocoee Crown Point PUD and consists of two parcels.

“We have been working on this project for some time,” Wire Development founder and president Holly Garcia said. “I understand there is kind of a history here, but we are super excited to be involved and create something that allows residents to have new places to live, grow the community (and) also have business space available to them.”

The project falls within Commissioner Larry Brinson’s district and will consist of 301 multi-family dwelling units and 20,000 square feet of commercial retail space within nine buildings. The proposal includes two mixed-used buildings with residential and commercial space, one live/work building, one stand-alone retail building and five multi-family residential buildings. Two of the five residential buildings will be townhome-style multi-family residential buildings.

Garcia said the team is working along with the West Orange Trail initiative to maintain as many trees as possible as long as the development does not negatively affect the trees and the trees do not negatively affect the development.

“We are conscious (on that aspect),” she said.

The project will have three entrance points. It will have access and a new public road at the existing roundabout located on Ocoee Crown Point Parkway, full access on Ocoee-Apopka Road north of the West Orange Trail signal and full access to the south side of what will become the entrance of what it will be the future home of Orange Technical College — Westside.

IN OTHER NEWS

Commissioners approved several items from the consent agenda. These include the cancellation of the Aug. 2, 2022, meeting because of the relocation into the new City Hall, which will take place Friday, July 29, and the approval of the proposed tentative millage rate for the 2022-23 fiscal year budget.
The City Commission approved the first reading of ordinance related to the Land Development Code amendment to consolidate the sign code that was adopted Sept. 15, 1970. The ordinance was modified in 1988, 1995 and 1999. According to the agenda, the current proposed amendments “intend to resolve (previous) discrepancies and consolidate the provisions from Article VI into Article VIII.” The second reading of ordinance is scheduled for the Aug. 16 meeting.
The City Commission approved the first reading of ordinance related to another amendment of the Land Development Code, which attempts to clarify fence requirements for corner lots and lots with multiple street frontages within the city. The second reading of ordinance is schedule to take place during the Aug. 16 meeting.
City commissioners heard the second reading of an ordinance regarding the adoption of new boundaries for the commission districts within the city of Ocoee. This item will be further discussed at the next commission meting, to be held Aug. 16, because the new boundary legal description had not been received.
The City Commission approved a variance request in relation to the property located at 125 S. Lakeshore Drive, currently zoned R-1AAA single-family dwelling. The property owner petitioned approval for the reduction of the minimum front building setback from 30 feet to 15 feet to accommodate a “detached garage for a single-family home that has three lot fronts and a side yard but no rear yard.”
The commission approved a variance request in relation to the property located at 101 W. Silver Star Road currently zoned C-2 — Community Commercial District. VMG Construction Inc. requesting the approval of the reduction of the minimum side building setback from 10 feet to 3 feet as a result of a property line discrepancy with the railroad right of way.
The City Commission came to an understanding with the HRDB board regarding the budget funding for the 2022 Remembrance Day to take place Nov. 5 and 6. The commission approved $33,000 for the funding of the event; $10,000 from contingency, $10,000— initially assigned to the building of a sculpture called Celebrating Diversity that were reallocated for the event, $7,000 anticipated from the 2022-23 budget and $6,000 from Commissioner Richard Firstner’s discretionary account.

author

Andrea Mujica

Staff writer Andrea Mujica covers sports, news and features. She holds both a bachelor's degree in journalism and an MBA from the University of Central Florida. When she’s not on the sidelines, you can find Andrea coaching rowers at the Orlando Area Rowing Society in Windermere.