Apopka council approves OnDech South development plan after engineers and city staff confirm water and sewer capacity

The Apopka City Council on May 7 unanimously approved the OnDech (OnDech/OnDeitch) South major development plan, a mixed residential project covering roughly 54.8 acres that will deliver approximately 326 residential units and a small commercial tract.

Jean Sanchez of the community development department summarized the project and said the plan had planning‑commission approval and DRC recommendation. The applicant’s engineer, Luke Classen of Appian Engineering, told the council the project will extend potable, reclaimed and wastewater lines along Effie Drive and connect into existing systems; city engineer Vladimir Simonovsky confirmed that current system permits and collection capacity are sufficient and that the developer will upsize lines where necessary to create a looped system and improve pressure.

“City engineers stood up the planning commission and also indicated that there is capacity for this project,” the city engineer said, noting permits and wastewater treatment capacity in the municipal collection system. The applicant also said the plan matches a previously approved master plan and includes traffic‑calming elements, open space, and pedestrian connections.

Residents raised questions about school seats, water pressure and road impacts; applicant representatives said they are pursuing a concurrency‑mitigation agreement with Orange County Public Schools and will prepay impact fees to allow the school board to allocate funding. City staff said the DRC and planning commission had recommended approval.

After public comment and clarification that required utilities would be extended and looped into Crossroads to improve reliability, the council voted to approve the major development plan.

Next steps: Applicant will complete engineering permitting and coordinate with city staff on utility upsizing and required concurrency mitigation agreements with the school board.