Board approves 48‑unit apartment project at Theater Road with mixed market/affordable units

Planning staff presented a site development plan for a 48‑unit apartment complex proposed by Grove at Theater Road LLC and the Planning & Zoning Board voted to approve the plan after questions about unit mix, access and safety.

Jordan summarized the application as a 12.8‑acre parcel at the northwest corner of State Road 62 and Theater Road with the project footprint occupying approximately 4.19 acres. Jordan said the applicant seeks approval to construct two 24‑unit buildings. An authorized representative, John Raymond, told the board the intended use is multifamily housing and that the developer plans a mix of 24 market‑rate and 24 affordable units financed "with funds through Florida Housing." Raymond added the project would comply with federal fair‑housing requirements.

Board members and engineers raised questions about traffic capacity, sidewalks and buffering. John Schneider of Hunter Engineering said the application included a concurrency review and "it does say that there is a sufficient capacity for these number of trips." He also confirmed a sidewalk will be added on the project side of Theater Road. In response to safety questions, the applicant said the onsite pond will be fenced and balconies will have aluminum picket railings; the plan also reserves northwest green space away from the road.

A motion to approve the site development plan was made, seconded and carried by voice vote. The board entered the staff report and the applicant responses into the record; approval is subject to standard permitting and site‑development requirements.