DRC reviews Palucci Acres annexation, future land-use change and right-of-way vacation; no final action

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…