Greens at Forest Lake subdivision plans, development agreement approved

A townhome development in north Ocoee soon will be breaking ground.

City leaders voted unanimously to approve the preliminary and final subdivision plans for phases one and two of the Greens at Forest Lake planned development. Commissioners also voted unanimously to approve the development agreement for the project.

The townhome development will be built on a 29.17-acre property — which is currently vacant and undeveloped — generally located on the north side of West Road, west of State Road 429 and east of the West Orange Trail. The Forest Lake Golf Club also is located to the north and to the west of the development. Meritage Homes is the applicant for the project.

“This is the final step in this 198-unit townhome development,” City Planner Mike Rumer said. “The item before you is approving the construction plans for the 198-unit townhome development that has an amenity park (and) access to the (West Orange) Trail.”

Rumer added that the property underwent a rezoning and comprehensive plan amendment in December 2018 that changed the land-use designation of the property from low-density residential to medium density residential, and rezoned the property to planned development.

“The homebuilders asked to consider two phases to the project,” Rumer said. “They’re building all the infrastructure in phase one, (and then) start building the units as they sell them.”

The medium-density residential designation allows for the development of up to 8 dwelling units per acre. The Greens at Forest Lake development will have a density of 6.89 dwelling units per acre with lot sizes measuring 24 feet wide and 107 feet deep. The development will consist of three-bedroom, two-bathroom townhomes with a two-car garage, and a minimum living area of 1500 square feet.

Commissioners Larry Brinson and Richard Firstner were absent from the meeting.

In Other News

Mayor Rusty Johnson proclaimed the month of June 2019 as Small Cities Month.

City leaders voted unanimously to approve an ordinance that allows dog-friendly dining in designated, outdoor areas of restaurants. Commissioners also voted unanimously to adopt a resolution related to the dog-friendly dining ordinance that outlines a fine and fee schedule.