Apopka Commission Deliberates on Special Fence Exemption
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Meeting Type:
Planning Board
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Meeting Date:
02/13/2024
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Recording Published:
02/13/2024
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Duration:
36 Minutes
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State:
Florida
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County:
Orange County
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Towns:
Apopka
- Meeting Overview:
In a recent meeting, the Apopka Planning Commission tackled a range of development issues, including a special exemption for outdoor storage on Coral Hill Road and major development plans for Madison Oaks and a warehouse office on South Orange Blossom Trail. The discussion about the special exemption was particularly focused, as it revolved around the potential for an 8-foot security fence, which required careful consideration of zoning regulations and security exemptions.
The request for a special exemption for a property on Coral Hill Road by HCH Development LLC became a central focus of the meeting. The applicant sought permission for principal outdoor storage use for commercial vehicles, trailers, equipment, and tools for a lawn and landscape company. The request included a proposal for an 8-foot high opaque fence, which exceeded the standard 6-foot fence height usually allowed by zoning laws. This aspect of the special exemption request triggered extensive discussion among the Commission members, who were concerned with maintaining the integrity of screening standards and ensuring that any approved fencing would comply with the existing code and provide adequate security.
During the discussion, it became clear that the 8-foot fence was not yet applied for and that the current zoning code only permitted a 6-foot fence. A staff member clarified that if the property owners wanted to install an 8-foot fence, they would need to apply for a security exemption administratively. The Commission agreed that the special exemption should not include the 8-foot fence at this stage.
The Commission ultimately decided to approve the special exemption with the understanding that the fence height would comply with future approvals. This meant that the property would initially have a 6-foot fence, and the possibility of an 8-foot fence would be determined through a separate security exemption application.
Another major development plan discussed was Madison Oaks, which proposed the construction of 325 multi-family units across nine buildings on a 12-acre site located at the southwest corner of State Road 429 and Kelly Park Road. The plan, presented by a representative from the Community Development Department, included a clubhouse and pool, and was found to be in compliance with the Kelly Park interchange form-based code and development design guidelines. The Commission moved to recommend approval of the Madison Oaks major development plan, which passed unanimously without questions from the Commission or public comments.
Additionally, the Commission reviewed a development plan for 1291 South Orange Blossom Trail, which included a 13,449-foot office warehouse development comprising seven buildings. The project, which had provisions for parking, stormwater discharge, and the preservation of wetland areas, was approved unanimously by the Commission. The approval was granted despite the absence of the applicant, based on the findings in the staff report, and included the stipulation of a 5-foot-wide sidewalk along the 441 portion of the project site.
Bryan Nelson
Planning Board Officials:
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Meeting Type:
Planning Board
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Meeting Date:
02/13/2024
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Recording Published:
02/13/2024
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Duration:
36 Minutes
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Notability Score:
Routine
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State:
Florida
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County:
Orange County
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Towns:
Apopka
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