Commission recommends approval of Onondage South plan amid concerns about wastewater capacity and tree mitigation

The Apopka Planning and Zoning Commission on April 8 recommended approval of the Onondage South major development plan, a proposal for about 326 residential units and a 1.37‑acre future commercial parcel on roughly 54.85 acres. The Development Review Committee recommended the plan, but commissioners raised concerns about tree removal, stormwater design and city wastewater capacity.

Jean Sanchez, planning staff, summarized the proposal: "The major development plan details plan for a mix of residential products comprising 326 single family detached and attached units and a future commercial development on a 1.37 acre tract." She said the plan includes about 11.88 acres of open space and proposes street trees, root barriers and other landscaping measures.

Commissioners pressed the applicant and staff on tree removal and mitigation. Luke Claas of Appian Engineering explained the project’s tree‑mitigation approach and fee: "The tree mitigation fee is what the city staff is, I think, officially calls it... the developer pays into [the fund]." Claas said the plan shows a substantial amount of existing canopy, that some trees will be retained in an outparcel intended for future commercial use, and that removed canopy will be addressed through required plantings and payment into the city’s tree mitigation fund.

Stormwater was a frequent subject. The applicant described two main ponds handling most drainage and small supplemental ponds for low road tie‑ins; emergency overflow weirs were included, and the applicant said the design aims to contain up to the 100‑year event on site.

Commissioners also asked about wastewater treatment capacity. City Engineer Vladimir Simonovsky said the city is studying an expansion and that design for an additional 5 million gallons per day plant is anticipated as part of permit renewal work ahead of July 2028, but that construction timing will depend on funding and other factors. Commissioner commentary in the meeting noted a lack of a currently funded wastewater expansion and requested that the staff report reflect that concern.

Commissioner Mott moved to recommend the Onondage South major development plan as consistent with the comprehensive plan and land development code; Commissioner Washington seconded. The motion carried and staff will include the record of opposition in the report to the city commission.

The plan now moves to city council for final action; staff said any outstanding technical clarifications, including tree mitigation calculations and wastewater capacity planning and funding, will accompany the staff report.