Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Palucci Acres Pd topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Planning Commission recommends Palucci Acres PD master plan with conditions; extensive traffic, conservation and phasing commitments discussed
Summary
Apopka planners recommended approval Dec. 9 for the Palucci Acres planned development master plan covering about 616 acres and proposing 1,034 lots, a 145-acre city park dedication, conservation tracts and extensive transportation improvements. Commissioners pressed for detailed traffic studies, timing of road improvements and protections for wetlands and gopher tortoises.
The Planning Commission on Dec. 9 recommended approval of the Palucci Acres Planned Development master plan (Ordinance 3147), a large-scale proposal to redevelop roughly 616 acres east of Vic Road into a mixed residential project with conservation and a major park dedication to the city.
Planning Manager Bobby Howe presented the master plan, which would allow about 1,034 lots—a mix of 876 single-family detached lots and 158 townhome lots—two nonresidential parcels, roughly 145 acres to be dedicated as a city park, and more than 300 acres of conservation and open-space dedications depending on final platting. The master plan shows a phased buildout, trail dedication plans (including a long city park trail), and a right-of-way dedication that allows future widening of Poncan Road.
Commissioners extensively questioned transportation staff and the developer’s consultants about access points (multiple entrances proposed along Vic, Jason Duvalley Parkway, Poncan Road, Pittman Road and Rogers Road), the timing and funding of turn lanes and roundabout(s), mitigation responsibilities and whether sections of Pittman Road would be vacated. Bill Wharton and consultant Mike Woodward said traffic counts and a traffic impact analysis show the roadways operate satisfactorily today and that proposed turn lanes and mitigation will be required; consultants and the developer said the developer will pay a proportionate share of the improvements and that no residential lot north of Poncan Road will be sold until Poncan Road improvements are in place.
Environmental and wildlife concerns were raised, including gopher tortoise relocation and wetland maintenance; staff said relocation permits are handled by Florida Fish and Wildlife and dedication/maintenance responsibilities depend on whether features are dedicated to the city, a water-management district easement, or an HOA.
After extended discussion and a request that any commissioner 'no' votes be recorded in the staff report, the commission moved to recommend approval; the motion carried on voice vote and will be forwarded to City Council with staff report materials.
