Apopka’s Development Review Committee on March 26 considered a coordinated package for the Palucci Acres project: the annexation of a 40-acre pocket now in Orange County, a future land-use amendment for an adjacent commercial parcel, and a request to vacate a portion of a platted 40-foot right-of-way. Committee members did not take a final vote; the annexation and right-of-way vacation were described as actions for the city council to consider.

The discussion focused on traffic safety on Poncan Road and infrastructure capacity. Several committee members and nearby residents urged stronger guarantees that nearby roads and underground utilities can support the development. Staff and the applicant said they are coordinating traffic and utility analyses with the city and Orange County and that a planned zoning (PD) submittal will include more detailed design and restrictions.

Why it matters: the package would bring a 40-acre parcel into the city and change the future land use from Orange County’s existing designation to Apopka’s residential low-suburban (3.5 dwelling units per acre). That, combined with the developer’s broader plan for the 617-acre assemblage, will affect traffic on Poncan Road, access to two nearby schools and how stormwater and sewer infrastructure are upgraded.

Key details from the discussion included: the applicant proposes 30-foot right-of-way dedications on both sides of Poncan Road in the project area (a total proposed dedication of roughly 60 feet), which the applicant said would materially widen the corridor from the current 60-foot cross section and allow room for sidewalks or a multiuse path. The applicant estimated roadway improvements and related access-management work in the study area could total roughly $20,000,000 (the applicant said some estimates closer to $10,000,000 exist and that the figure will be refined by the transportation consultant). The applicant also said it intends to reduce residential density on portions of the larger PD relative to the current entitlement: the developer told the committee that, across the larger assemblage, residential entitlements of about 1,850 units would be reduced to roughly 1,050 units at the PD stage (a 40% reduction), and that much of the previously entitled commercial area (about 6,300,000 square feet) would be scaled back to a far smaller amount of neighborhood-serving commercial at key intersections.

Committee members repeatedly pressed the applicant on the safety of two pronounced S-curves on Poncan Road (near Pittman and further east), asking whether the project will allow straightening or other geometric improvements. The applicant said they have already committed to tree and foliage clearing at the Pittman corner for immediate visibility improvement, plan to dedicate right-of-way, and are commissioning a traffic impact analysis and crash review to establish what geometric changes are feasible given existing lakes, depressions and other site constraints (the applicant noted Wolf Lake near the Pittman intersection). The applicant also proposed one roundabout north of Vic Road in their preliminary concept and said they will evaluate whether a roundabout or signal at Vic–Poncan would better address safety.

On utilities, the applicant said city utility staff and a city-hired consultant are reviewing capacity models and that models currently show capacity exists. The applicant requested as-built drawings from the city so the developer’s engineers can analyze actual pipe condition and longevity; they said upgrades or upsizing may be required and that utility improvements could be phased with the PD. Public-services staff and several committee members urged that engineering confirmation be provided before zoning-level approvals proceed.

Other items: the right-of-way vacation request was described as a minor vacate of a platted segment (applicant seeking a 20-foot east–west segment to revert to the applicant; a separate 40-foot north–south segment would remain public or revert per the revised legal sketch). Community development staff said a formal right-of-way vacation would be processed by city-council resolution and that the annexation must meet Florida Statute 171 standards (no enclave creation) to be eligible.

Next steps: community development confirmed the annexation packet will go to city council for action and that a subsequent PD application will return to DRC with detailed restrictions, traffic improvements, and utility analyses. Committee members asked that the applicant and city coordinate with Orange County on the corridor-wide Northwest Corridor study and that proposed long-term maintenance commitments (for vegetation clearing and sidewalks/trails) be documented in PD or HOA documents so short-term fixes do not lapse.

Speakers quoted or referenced in the discussion were Luke Classen (Appian Engineering, applicant representative), Aaron (Community Development staff), Mike McKinley (Chief, referenced during safety discussion), Diana Moldovar (Public Services), Jeremy Olderfield (Fire department), and John Hanson (Building department).