Council approves first readings to annex and rezone 5118 Plymouth Sorrento Road; connectivity, sewer concerns remain

The Apopka City Council on Oct. 15 approved first readings to annex a 0.41-acre parcel at 5118 Plymouth Sorrento Road and to reclassify it under the Kelly Park Interchange form-based code, after several hours of staff presentations and public comment.

The annexation ordinance (No. 31-29), a future land use amendment to city mixed use (No. 31-35) and a rezoning to KPI MU with the Village Center overlay (No. 31-36) were each taken on first reading and held for second reading and adoption. The measures passed on motions by Commissioner Anderson, seconded by Commissioner Smith, with unanimous council votes at first reading.

The applicant, represented at the meeting by Rent Spain, described the plan as a modest “sports tavern” conversion of an existing building and said the annexation agreement includes exterior improvements, a 10-foot paved trail along Plymouth Sorrento Road, a 3-foot knee wall with landscaping and redesigned on-site parking. Spain said the project’s pretaking plan and a post-taking plan (to be implemented if Orange County acquires right-of-way along Plymouth Sorrento Road) are intended to make the site compatible with the village-center character.

“Again, in that regard, when you look at just the aerial … it is entirely consistent with the Kelly Park Interchange vision,” Spain said, urging council support.

Planning manager Bobby Howell told the council the parcel is statutorily eligible for annexation under Florida Statute 171.044 and that Orange County does not object, but did ask for a 30- to 35-foot right-of-way dedication for Plymouth Sorrento Road. Howell also warned that, because the existing building predates the form-based code, the parcel’s small size limits its ability to fully realize the village-center vision.

Council discussion focused on two recurring issues raised during the public hearing: sewer availability and pedestrian/vehicular connections to the adjacent Wingspan development. Commissioner Velasquez asked the applicant to secure assurances about central sewer; Commissioner Anderson pressed both the applicant and staff to pursue explicit pedestrian connectivity with Wingspan so the site would not be an isolated “island” of commercial use.

Howell and the applicant said the annexation agreement will be modified to require connection to central sewer if it becomes available and to add language about coordination with Wingspan. Spain said the property currently uses a functioning septic system and that under state and local rules the property may continue on septic until the system fails; he said the applicant has been attempting to coordinate with the Wingspan utility plan for a sewer tie-in.

Orange County Commissioner Christine Moore spoke during public comment to urge caution about continuing to rely on septic for a restaurant use; she said county practice for sensitive areas near Wekiva Springs has been to require engineered on-site systems or connections to central sewer.

Several residents at the meeting urged approval, saying a small, walkable eating venue would serve future residents of nearby multi-family projects; others and some staff members said the small lot and potential right-of-way taking reduce the parcel’s capacity to meet full village-center standards.

The council directed staff and the applicant to continue outreach to the Wingspan team and to return with any additional technical commitments before the second reading. The annexation agreement and associated concept plans will serve as the master plan under the KPI code if the city finalizes the annexation and rezoning.

The measures now return for second reading and possible final adoption at a future meeting.