Ocoee townhome proposal clears first commission hurdle

During the Aug. 21 Ocoee City Commission meeting, city leaders approved the first reading of a proposed ordinance regarding a property in north Ocoee where an applicant plans to construct 200 townhomes.

The 29-acre property for the proposed development, known as the Greens at Forest Lake PUD, is located northwest of State Road 429 at the eastern terminus of Fountains West Boulevard, and east of the West Orange Trail and Renaissance Charter School at Crown Point.

The applicant, Meritage Homes, requested a change in the zoning classification and future land-use designation from city of Ocoee low-density residential to city of Ocoee medium-density residential.

According to city documents, Meritage is requesting to develop the property with a density of 6.89 dwelling units per acre. Meritage has proposed to build three-bedroom, two-bathroom townhomes with a two-car garage on lot sizes measuring 24 feet wide by 107 feet deep. 

The site also would have 73 guest parking spaces and have access via an extension of Fountains West Boulevard and an additional future access on the south side of the property, according to city documents. 

The north side of the proposed development would have an aluminum fence overlooking the Forest Lake Golf Course, and the east side would include a 55-foot buffer to S.R. 429, excluding a southwest area, which would have a 35-foot buffer near the S.R. 429 exit ramp.

The applicant will be required to provide 30% open space, and the development is proposed to include more than six acres of open space and a .80-acre recreation tract consisting of a pool, cabana and playground, according to city documents.

A Meritage representative present at the meeting informed commissioners that all the townhomes would be for sale with a starting price of $225,000.

The second reading and public hearing for this ordinance are scheduled for Sept. 18.

IN OTHER NEWS

• Ocoee commissioners approved an agreement with Kid’s Community College Charter School that requires the city’s police department to provide one school resource officer for the 2018-19 school year. The city will be reimbursed $70,000 for providing the SRO.
• City commissioners authorized an interlocal cost-share agreement with Orange County for planned improvements to the Fullers Cross Road and Ocoee-Apopka Road intersection. The proposed improvements include the addition of four left-turn lanes and two right-turn lanes going southbound and eastbound.
• Ocoee commissioners authorized contracts to three firms for disaster-debris removal services. The three firms were selected out of the nine that responded to a request for proposals sent out in June. The three firms are CrowderGulf Joint Venture Inc., Ceres Environmental Services Inc. and T.F.R. Enterprises Inc.
• Commissioners approved the second reading of a rezoning ordinance for a property located at 651 S. Bluford Ave. The property owner plans to build a Top Gun Cheer facility at the 4.51-acre site.