Commission recommends special exception to allow Central Florida Prep to grow to 720 students

The Apopka Planning and Zoning Commission on Jan. 14 approved a special exception allowing Central Florida Preparatory School to increase its maximum enrollment from 600 students to 720 on its site at 1800 Marden Road.

Amir Hamza, planner in the Community Development Department, said the site totals 6.39 acres and is currently zoned planned development with a commercial future land‑use designation. He told the commission that the school’s request to increase enrollment is tied to an expansion shown previously on the approved plan; the applicant will return later with a minor development plan and construction documents for a gym expansion and additional classrooms that will serve the 120 additional students. Hamza said the DRC recommends approval, subject to the findings and exhibits in the staff report.

Luke Class of Appian Engineering, representing the applicant, said traffic concerns flagged earlier were discussed with the police chief and city Public Services staff and “they've since handled that by doing phased drop offs.” Class said the gym expansion and some additional classroom space were part of the previously approved plan as a phase‑2 element and that 720 students is the maximum the site can accommodate given existing site constraints.

Commissioner Dooney moved to approve the special exception; Commissioner Ryan seconded the motion, and the commission voted in favor.

Why it matters: Approval allows the school to proceed to site planning and construction steps needed for the expansion shown in earlier approvals; staff said the increase is the maximum the site can support under the approved plan.

Details: The applicant will submit a minor development plan and construction site plan for review prior to building; the police chief and school representatives said drop‑off and pick‑up circulation has been addressed by operational changes and planned parking adjustments.