Teresa Sargeant
Key Points
- Gale Vista's 100-unit affordable housing project on Old Dixie Highway must resolve turn-lane and building-height issues before DRC approval.
- The project is exempt from public hearings under Florida's Live Local Act since it was submitted before zoning exemptions ended in the Wekiva Study Area.
- Planning staff recommended denial for Gale Vista and other projects due to unresolved comments, while Springhaven's park plan was approved after meeting all requirements.
A revised 100-unit affordable-housing proposal on Old Dixie Highway must address turn-lane, building-height and other outstanding issues before receiving approval from the Apopka Development Review Committee (DRC).
Planning staff recommended denial of Gale Vista’s construction site plan Wednesday, pending revisions. The approximately 5.17-acre project at 2020 Old Dixie Highway previously called for 400 apartments when it appeared before the DRC in September 2025.
The latest plans propose a four-story building containing two-bedroom apartments. Southport Financial Services Inc. is the developer, and the property is owned by the Housam Family Trust.
Turn lanes generated the most discussion. Project traffic engineer Charlotte Davidson said the development would produce too few turning vehicles during peak hours to justify the improvements.
“The number of vehicle trips that are making the turns is so few,” Davidson said. “They really don’t warrant the need for turn lanes, specifically on Old Dixie Highway.”
Public Works Director Dale Smith said the city code requires a right-turn lane because the applicable speed limit on Old Dixie Highway is 40 mph.
“The right-turn lane, there’s not an option,” Smith said, although he indicated that staff could continue discussing whether a left-turn lane is necessary.
Gale Vista is proposed under Florida’s Live Local Act. DRC Chairman Bobby Howell said the law’s provisions no longer apply within the Wekiva Study Area, but Gale Vista was determined to be vested because it was submitted before that exemption was enacted.
Under the Live Local Act, qualifying affordable-housing projects can be developed on commercially zoned property without certain land-use and zoning changes. Howell said Gale Vista is exempt from public hearings and can receive approval at the DRC level once it satisfies the city’s land-development requirements.
A project representative said the site’s community commercial zoning ordinarily restricts building height to 35 feet but cited a state provision tied to allowable building heights within 1 mile. Project manager Jun Sohn said the provision would be forwarded to the city attorney for review.
The proposal provides 206 parking spaces, 14 fewer than the 220 calculated as required. Sohn said the applicant submitted a parking study supporting the reduction and that the shortage was considered reasonable under the city’s reduced-parking standards.
The development team also sought clarification about determining the 100-year flood elevation for the property. Smith said part of the property lies within the 100-year flood area and advised the applicant to evaluate an elevation of 83 feet when analyzing the 100-year storm.
Planning staff also recommended denial of plans for a 4,800-square-foot Pave A Lot Asphalt Maintenance warehouse at 951 S. Highland Ave. because comments remained unresolved and the applicant did not attend the meeting. Smith said many of his comments had not been addressed.
A revision to Crossroads at Kelly Park Phase 3B also received a denial recommendation pending revisions. The plans cover 106 residential units on approximately 23.43 acres. Discussion focused on utilities, drainage, roadway construction and keeping a rear-lot grade break within 5 feet of a wall to limit drainage effects on neighboring properties.
The only project recommended for approval was Springhaven’s amenity and park plan, which includes a pool, cabana, pickleball courts, pavilion and playground. Staff said all previous DRC comments had been satisfied.