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DRC flags stormwater, utility and traffic concerns for 1770 Sheila Road subdivision near police range
Summary
The committee reviewed a major development plan for 18 single-family homes and 24 duplexes at 1770 Sheila Road. Staff raised detailed concerns about stormwater management, a proposed pond and retaining wall, a sanitary force main under future pavement, sidewalk connections, and safety at a south entrance that may require a raised median.
The Development Review Committee on April 16 reviewed a major development plan for a proposed subdivision at 1770 Sheila Road that would include 18 single-family homes and 24 duplexes. The site is adjacent to the police department's firing range; city staff and applicants said they have held on-site meetings about design and operations.
City engineering and public-works reviewers stressed the need for a detailed stormwater analysis. Vladimir Simonovsky, the city engineer, said the developer's current plan places a new pond in the northeast corner of the site with a retaining wall that appears shared with the subdivision to the north. Simonovsky warned that because of elevation differences it may not be possible to combine drainage systems and that the pond currently appears to be an unpermitted, landlocked feature that will require further investigation with historic DEP or St. Johns River Water Management District records.
Simonovsky identified several technical items the applicant must address before plan approval: a stormwater report showing pond capacity and overflow routing; sufficient vertical separation and clearance for a sanitary force main and potable water main that may run under future pavement where road widening is proposed; extension of sidewalks to tie into the adjacent south sidewalk (near a church) and possible dedication of sidewalk easements; and additional collection inlets or interceptor piping where more than 500 feet of curb runs toward a single inlet. He suggested intercepting runoff earlier (for example, around 300 feet) rather than allowing long runs of sheet flow to the inlets.
Traffic-safety concerns were raised at the site's south entrance on Shiela/Shiela Road. Simonovsky and other staff noted poor visibility at the proposed right-in/right-out, suggested a raised concrete median or other physical separation to prevent unsafe left turns, and said Orange County will be the permitting authority where county-maintained roadway sections are affected. Simonovsky urged that a raised median would be safer than paint or striped islands because small ramped medians or “pork chops” are frequently driven over.
Utility reviewers also asked for a clear plan showing the lift station and connection to the force main; the current utility sheets do not show that connection and the force main currently sits on the west side of the road where proposed turn lanes and widening are shown. Staff noted the project will likely need an Orange County right-of-way permit for improvements that affect county-maintained pavement and that adjustments to pipe location or minor relocation could be required to preserve vertical separation under pavement.
The applicant team agreed to set up a focused meeting on stormwater methodology and to revise plans to address inlet locations, grading near the proposed amenity area, and utility clearances. No formal action was taken; the DRC will expect revised construction‑plan submittals that address the items discussed before moving forward to permitting.
