Seaplane Base proposed on Lake Apopka

ORANGE COUNTY – Although the segment of Lake Apopka’s eastern shore at 3812 Walker Road once hosted a successful fish camp, it has since fallen into disuse after the lake’s bass population died off from pollution. 

But now, with news of a proposal to build a seaplane base at the small 1.24-acre site nestled in unincorporated Orange County between north Ocoee and south Apopka, surrounding homeowners are both optimistic and somewhat wary.

Richard Hensch, who already operates a seaplane base on Lake Prairie in Altamonte Springs, is the applicant for the proposal, which is in its initial stages. He is asking Orange County to rezone the property from retail commercial and single-family residential to a planned development. 

Approval of his request could pave the way for a seaplane base that he intends to use for fueling, docking and ramping, maintenance and storage of seaplanes. He also aims to provide training courses, rides and tours in seaplanes for hire. 

The idea, which was discussed in a community meeting Nov. 14, 2016, had both supporters and opposers. Those who support it, including Ocoee District 1 Commissioner John Grogan, believe the development could bring a much-needed boost to tourism in the area if it is successful.

“I think it’s going to work well,” Grogan said. “I’m kind of happy that the people do accept it and also happy that it might bring tourism. There’s a lot of good things, I believe, that might come out of this. It might bring more awareness to Lake Apopka, bring in more people to Apopka, hopefully maybe start up some fish camps again. I’m hoping that this is the beginning of a good future for the lake.”

Grogan heard about the proposal from the homeowners association of Forestbrooke Estates and Westyn Bay, who were initially concerned about noise. Their concerns dissipated once Grogan arranged for Orange County District 2 Commissioner Bryan Nelson to answer residents’ questions in a meeting at Ocoee City Hall. An architect involved with the project explained the seaplanes would not be operating after dark.

A community meeting held by Orange County also saw some mixed opinions, said Jason Sorensen, an Orange County senior planner. Most of the concerns regarded onsite fueling, noise and potential fuel spillage. Apopka resident Tonya Daniels echoed some of those concerns — specifically noise — as she resides directly behind the proposed development and has a 6-month-old baby.

However, the preliminary plans have not been completely fleshed out, and they have yet to be subjected to the routine scrutiny from county staff, said John Geiger from Orange County’s Environmental Protection Division. Once all comments from staff are addressed, the proposal will move on to the county’s Development Review Committee, and Planning and Zoning Commission before it finally reaches the eyes of the Board of County Commissioners.

The process, Geiger emphasized, usually results in multiple revisions to make sure the proposal’s plans are compliant with county and state codes.

“Often the applicants go, ‘Oh, well we didn’t know that was a regulation,’” Geiger said. “So they go back and they change the plan. Citizens who sometimes watch these things start to get suspicious, they say, ‘Oh, look, they’re changing the plan.’ Well, that’s how the process works. And the applicant begins to understand the applicable regulations and they modify what they’re thinking about doing. So it’s an evolving process.” 

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Contact Gabby Baquero at [email protected]