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Central Florida Prep seeks 22,767-sq.-ft. Phase 2 expansion; staff press parking, ADA, loading and photometric details
Summary
Central Florida Prep submitted a first construction submittal for a phase-2 expansion of about 22,767 square feet to raise capacity to 720 students; staff discussed photometric plans, ADA parking increases, loading-zone requirements and stormwater paperwork but recorded no formal decision.
Amir Hamzah, project manager, presented a construction site plan first submittal for Central Florida Prep, an existing school on 1800 Martin Road, describing a phase-2 expansion of roughly 22,767 square feet and an increase to a total capacity of 720 students that "was approved under a special exception," he said.
City reviewers and the applicant discussed several technical items the city requested in comments. A NAPCON Engineering representative, Luke Klass, queried photometrics and whether an existing lighting plan could be submitted instead of a new full photometric grid because the project will reuse existing poles in the phase-2 area. City staff told the applicant that photometric documentation remains a requirement under the current code and suggested submitting prior photometric plans covering the entire site for consideration.
Staff and the applicant also discussed parking and Americans with Disabilities Act requirements. City staff said the expansion triggers an increase in van-accessible ADA spaces from six to seven, meaning the applicant must add one van-accessible space. "This development does trigger us to go from 6 to 7 ADA spaces, so we'll have to add 1 additional space," a city reviewer said.
Loading-zone standards generated debate about how to read the city's loading requirement. City staff cited a loading-area standard that requires one off-street loading zone per 20,000 square feet for qualifying new development; the applicant argued that schools are not typical goods-shipping uses and that the new development is only the gymnasium and a small number of classrooms. The applicant said the existing school has one loading area in back that will be expanded to fit two vehicles. Staff asked the applicant to provide a loading-zone plan consistent with the code comment.
Other staff comments included bicycle parking, demonstration of fire-truck and emergency access routing, and a request to show whether large semi-trucks can maneuver through the site (the applicant said providing that maneuvering demonstration might be atypical for a school but would be attempted). Staff also requested a photometrics submittal, additional landscaping on the south side, and documentation for a required stormwater minor modification with the St. Johns reviewing agency; the applicant said the detention pond was built sized for total impervious area when first constructed under the 1993 code and that the city will receive the permit modification prior to pre-construction.
The applicant reported that the school has implemented an offset bell schedule for arrivals and departures and that, according to camera review, staff have not observed backups on Martin Road; city police cautioned that parents parking in the gore area ahead of drop-off had occurred and asked the school to notify parents to avoid parking in active street areas.
No formal motions or votes were recorded in the transcript. The Development Review Committee collected technical comments for the applicant to address in subsequent submissions and permit filings.
