Ocoee Commission passes final plan for assisted living facility

A three-story, 150-bed, 102,729-square-foot FKA Inspired Living assisted living facility could open as soon as March 2016 on Tomyn Boulevard, following a unanimous approval of the final site plan from the Ocoee City Commission.

Commission members and nearby residents had concerns about lighting, a lack of fences and traffic lights, the speed of the project, tree removal and security of the back of the neighborhood just east of the site, Blackjack Oak Street.

Members of the development team were present to address these concerns and agreed to the commission's approval with the condition that the developers meet with residents after installing a fence on that eastern side of the property.

To the north of the property is Patriots Point Drive; to the west, Warrior Road; and to the south, Windermere Road.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND MASTER PLANNING

Assistant City Manager Craig Shadrix presented outlines of a plan to grow business and revitalize downtown Ocoee, with three key items: a new downtown master plan, an economic development program targeting high-wage jobs and a strategy for commercial marketing and retail.

The commission unanimously approved all three items: a request for qualification for downtown redevelopment planning at $250,000; a consulting contract with Rep. Randolph Bracy not exceeding $20,000; and a three-year, $110,000 contract with Retail Strategies LLC for commercial retail marketing.

EMERGENCY VEHICLE ACCESS SYSTEM ORDINANCE TABLED

Commissioner John Grogan requested a delay on an ordinance change regarding emergency vehicle access systems in gated Ocoee subdivisions, citing immense community feedback and a desire to let the public have its say on the issue. The commission agreed to table the motion until its May 19 meeting.

IN OTHER NEWS

Commissioner Joel Keller asked city staff to look into changes to lien policies and report back to the commission within a couple of months. Keller wished to reduce financial penalties for those failing to comply under certain conditions, so that citizens could pay less and the city could get names off its records.

Ocoee and its red light camera installer, ATS, face a lawsuit regarding the cameras, City Attorney Scott Cookson said. ATS will pay for its legal team to cover both parties in the suit.