Dana O'Connor
Key Points
- The Apopka Development Review Committee denied construction site plans for 429 Commerce and 4791 Apopka Logistics Parkway due to unresolved planning comments.
- City staff clarified parking requirements including 10-foot-wide parking islands and 15-by-45-foot trailer spaces for site plans.
- The DRC approved Trader Mae's Christmas Festival for Nov 7-8 expecting 200 attendees with no road closures or alcohol sales.
The Apopka Development Review Committee (DRC) denied two construction site plans Wednesday, citing outstanding planning and zoning comments, while approving a two-day Christmas festival scheduled for November.
The committee denied a revised construction site plan for 429 Commerce at 335 S. Hawthorne Ave., a previously approved project returned for changes involving site planning and zoning.
“Planning and zoning still had some outstanding comments, so at this time we’re recommending denial of this item,” city planner Amer Hamza said.
A representative of Michael R. Cooper Construction Co. confirmed that revisions were underway and acknowledged that the application would need to return to the DRC for another review.
The committee also denied a construction site plan for the redevelopment of an existing building at 4791 Apopka Logistics Parkway. The proposal includes additional parking, loading bays and other building renovations.
During the discussion, Cameron Brisby of Kimley-Horn and Associates sought clarification on requirements for parking islands, trailer spaces and site lighting.
City staff specified that parking islands must be at least 10 feet wide, while trailer parking spaces must measure at least 15 feet wide and 45 feet long. Staff also clarified that the two-foot-candle lighting requirement applies along property lines.
Fire representative Jeremy Holderfield requested that a proposed manual emergency-access gate serving the truck court include a Knox padlock to allow emergency personnel access. Brisby agreed to incorporate the requirement.
In other business, the DRC approved the Trader Mae’s Christmas Festival, scheduled for 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 7-8 at the store, which is located at 2001 N. Rock Springs Road.
The holiday market will feature indoor and outdoor vendors selling Christmas decorations and gifts. Organizers anticipate approximately 200 attendees, with on-site parking and no planned road closures or alcohol sales.