Apopka planning panel approves 58-foot height variance for West Orange Blossom Trail cold‑storage expansion

APOPKA, Fla. — The City of Apopka Planning and Zoning Commission on June 10 approved a zoning variance allowing a cold‑storage expansion at 2560 West Orange Blossom Trail to reach 58 feet, 13 feet above the 45‑foot maximum in the city's land development code.

The variance, requested by MG 88 Central Florida Cold Storage LLC and presented by Ben Henry of Cold Link Logistics, was approved after the commission heard testimony that the company needs vertical space because the parcel is landlocked and cannot expand horizontally. The commission voted to carry the variance; site design and traffic mitigation will be handled in a later major development plan review.

Staff planner Dr. Jun Song told the commission the property is zoned light industrial and cited the relevant provision of the Land Development Code limiting building height in that zone to 45 feet. The applicant requested 58 feet to increase storage capacity. "This added height will enable us to maximize our existing footprint and provide the space and efficiency our customers require," Ben Henry said. "The expansion will add over 17,000 pallet positions, creating numerous jobs and bring economic investment into the community."

Kimley‑Horn civil engineer Josh Enott described the applicant's asserted hardship as physical: "the hardship for this site is, essentially that we can't expand anymore, horizontally," he said, adding that building up is the only feasible option to add stormwater infrastructure and additional storage.

Several commissioners pressed on traffic. Commissioner Mott said he frequently observes truck movements in the area and expressed safety and circulation concerns near the rail crossing, asking for design conditions tied to truck turn radii. "I would have to say I would like to see conditions that are related specifically to turn radius of semi trucks so that they don't have to turn into oncoming traffic to make the turn," Mott said. The applicant team said a traffic impact analysis (TIA) had been completed and identifies off‑site improvements; specific mitigation will be addressed during the MDP/site plan review.

Commissioners and the city attorney framed the variance decision narrowly: the commission was deciding only whether to allow the taller building under the code's variance criteria. Chairman Gussler and staff said traffic, road widening or other off‑site improvements are generally addressed at the site‑plan/construction stage rather than as conditions of a pure height variance. The applicant acknowledged parts of the site are currently in unincorporated county and said annexation is in process, with a second reading scheduled for June 18; staff advised the variance would apply to the city property and follow through once annexation occurs.

Cold Link Logistics' Maurice Greer said the expansion is expected to create about 15 to 20 hourly jobs at roughly $21 per hour and some salaried positions. The applicant also said the project includes infrastructure upgrades to Mayflower Avenue and improvements to the on‑site stormwater retention pond.

Motion language recorded at the meeting instructed staff to approve the variance; the motion was made by Commissioner Doomey and seconded by Commissioner Mott. Commissioners voted in favor and the motion carried. The recorded outcome permits the applicant to pursue a 58‑foot building, with the applicant returning later with a major development plan that will include the detailed traffic study and site design required by the city's development regulations.

What happens next: the applicant will submit a Major Development Plan and construction plans that the city will review for traffic mitigation, turn‑radius compliance, stormwater treatment and any off‑site improvements identified in the TIA. The commission's action does not authorize site construction; those approvals will be separate and must meet city standards.