Resident asks city to press county for promised traffic signal at East McCormick and Apopka‑Vineland; county letter suggests roundabout

During public comment a resident asked the commission to press Orange County to restore a previously agreed signal at East McCormick and Apopka‑Vineland Road tied to a 2019 annexation and development agreement.

Resident Susan Adams said the joint planning agreement (JPA) that accompanied annexation required the developer (Dr. Horton / Wynwood development) to contribute $200,000 toward a signal when the last phase of the project is complete. Adams said she saw a letter posted on social media from Orange County Public Works (Brett Blackadar) noting that a later 2021 study recommended a roundabout instead of a signal, and she asked the commission to support returning to the original signalized design because of synchronization with nearby signals, horse‑trailer traffic for the nearby Horseman’s Park and heavy commute backups on Apopka‑Vineland.

The nut graf: City staff confirmed there is an agreement for developer contributions and right‑of‑way dedications tied to the annexation; development services staff said the developer constructed a trail dedication and that staff would follow up with the county to confirm plan and funding timing.

Commission staff described a multi‑part arrangement at annexation: county contribution for nonobjection to annexation, developer participation (estimated 50% of signal cost, historically estimated at about $200,000), a 30‑foot land dedication for a trail frontage and trail construction. Mike Rumor, who was development services director at the time of the annexation, said the developer had dedicated land and constructed the trail and that county staff turnover had contributed to a lost file awareness.

Commissioners said they would follow up with Orange County officials and County Commissioner Christie Moore was suggested as a contact for residents to pursue. The commission also offered to provide the resident with contact information for county staff and to coordinate further outreach; staff noted the project is not budgeted to start until next year and the county had not yet reached out to the developer to request the $200,000 contribution.

Ending: City staff said they would follow up with the county administrator and with the resident and encouraged the commenter to also contact the Orange County Commission.