DRC issues comments on Freshfields Farm retail plan; applicant to supply parking study and address public‑works items

The DRC reviewed the Freshfields Farm Apopka construction site plan and major development plan on Oct. 1 for a proposed 17,550‑square‑foot specialty retail store on Armando Borjas Boulevard.

Planning staff said the project falls under both the major development plan and construction‑site plan processes but is below the 25,000‑square‑foot threshold for a public hearing; staff still required submission of items including a photometric plan. Public Works issued additional comments the day before the meeting that were reissued to the applicant that morning, planning staff said.

Dane Frey of Bowman Consulting, the civil engineer of record, confirmed receipt of planning and public‑works comments and said the applicant "intends to provide a study for a similar store that justify the needs for the additional parking above code minimum," and that the team had no objections to the housekeeping comments. Staff also noted irrigation information on the plans would cover certain public‑works review items and that the applicant should address public‑works technical comments prior to the next submittal.

No formal votes were recorded; staff asked the applicant to address the listed comments and to include the parking justification and required technical plans in the next submittal cycle.