Ocoee considers 43 homes on Silver Star Road

OCOEE – Ocoee could add 43 single-family homes on Silver Star Road after a planned-unit development receives the final approvals needed to begin site construction.

On Feb. 7, commissioners approved the proposed development’s first reading. However, the date for the second reading is yet to be determined, because Orange County Public Schools will need to convene first to discuss school capacity in the area.

The 10.91-acre site, which currently sits vacant with pine trees, is situated on the south side of Silver Star Road, east of Johio Shores Road and west of Good Homes Road.

Eric Marks, the president of developer Avex Homes, estimates site construction will begin in the fourth quarter, with home construction starting in April or May 2018. The homes, which will offer four to five floor plans with three elevations each, should be ready for move-in by September 2018.

“There will be some amenities — parks and open space, those kinds of things,” Marks said. “We haven’t programmed the amenities yet, so it’s to be determined.”

The community will have a single access point on Silver Star Road and have a 6-foot buffer wall along Silver Star Road with a fence enclosing the rest of the perimeter. The homes, Marks added, likely will range from the low $200s to high $200s.

“We’re excited to get it going,” Marks said. “Hopefully, by the third quarter, we should be starting to sell.”

STATE OF THE CITY

• Ocoee also delivered its 2017 State of the City report on Feb. 7. Commissioners presented a video highlighting accomplishments made in 2016 and the progress and growth it expects to make in 2017. 
• With the help of bonds totaling $40 million, the downtown revitalization plans will be funded without raising taxes.
• City Center West Orange, a $150 million development located on the shores of Lake Venice, broke ground. The 60-acre project will feature a 122-room hotel, more than 172,000 square feet of shopping, restaurant and retail space, and 480 condo units.
• Xerox opened a new SunPass service center in the former location of Sears within the 20-year-old West Oaks Mall. 
• The fire department received new trucks to replace older units and partnered with American Red Cross and 35 citizen volunteers to install 157 free smoke alarms in two mobile-home communities. 
• Ocoee received a $50,000 grant from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, which will be used to build new multi-use ball fields, picnic and parking facilities on a 4.5-acre, city-owned site between Montgomery Road and California Avenue.

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Contact Gabby Baquero at [email protected].