Ernie Journeys / Unsplash
Key Points
You don’t have to live in Apopka to notice it’s growing. Almost any route you take through the city will reveal a variety of construction sites, fresh cut roadways, development signs and newly opened businesses.
Near Wyld Oaks, the first apartments are open and more are rising. Elsewhere in Apopka, projects that could add hundreds of new housing units still face city review.
Here are five developments to watch, with milestones drawn from city records, developer announcements and The Apopka Chief’s coverage. Approval of a development plan is a milestone, not an opening date.
1. Wyld Oaks
Near Kelly Park Road and State Road 429, the 215-acre mixed-use development plans to combine housing with commercial uses and entertainment.
In a Sept. 9 update, Wyld Oaks said Hathaway Development had begun vertical construction on its first 325 apartments. A separate road proposal drew requests for revisions from city staff in August: a roughly 600-foot extension of Road C to support another lot within the development.
2. Paulucci Acres
A proposed roughly 500-home phase southeast of West Ponkan and Vick roads advanced Sept. 22 when the Planning Commission recommended approval of its major development plan.
That phase covers about 171.55 acres within the larger Paulucci Acres development. The recommendation marks a step toward final city consideration, rather than permission to start building the homes. For neighbors following the project, the phase’s road and utility plans will help explain how it connects to the surrounding area.
Last January, the City Commission approved rezoning for the property, paving the way for up to 1,034 homes in the development.
3. The Ridge Phase 3
At the southeast corner of Binion Road and Boy Scout Road, this project calls for 363 apartments.
City commissioners unanimously approved its major development plan Aug. 5. Plans include 11 apartment buildings, a clubhouse and pool, along with an extension of Bronson Lake Drive. At approval, further technical review remained before construction, including turn-lane requirements along Ocoee Apopka Road.
4. Floridian Town Center
The mixed-use development near Southfork Drive has separate hotel and apartment proposals moving at different speeds.
City commissioners approved a 137-room Fairfield Inn and TownePlace Suites major development plan Sept. 2, with construction-site-plan review still to follow. On Sept. 16, the Development Review Committee declined to advance a proposed 312-unit apartment phase because planning, utility and fire-safety comments remained unresolved. Staff required the applicant to address those comments and return to the committee before advancing to public hearings.
5. Cold Link Apopka
The cold-storage facility at 2560 W. Orange Blossom Trail is pursuing a warehouse expansion.
City commissioners unanimously approved a revised major development plan Aug. 5. The meeting minutes identify a new 168,180-square-foot building. That establishes the scope of the approved development plan, but not a construction start or opening date.
