HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 04 Authorization to Utilize the Ocoee Village Center Park Amenity Tract for Site of a New Fire StationMeeting Date: July 18, 2023
Item #: 4
Contact Name: Craig Shadrix Department Director: Craig Shadrix
Contact Number: Ext. 6434 City Manager: Robert Frank
Background Summary:
The City acquired 2121 N. Lakewood Avenue (Parcel No. 05-22-28-6160-20-000) from the Ocoee Village
Center Development via Plat for the purposes of facilitating the Public Amenity Park approved in the Ocoee
Village Center PUD. The Ocoee Village Center PUD is located east of SR 429 on Clarcona Ocoee Road and
north and northeast of the intersection of Fullers Cross Road and N. Lakewood Avenue. The Public Park
Tract is a little over 2 acres in size and has been partially completed as intended. To date, the Tract has been
developed to the point of having the site graded, a retention system in place, sidewalks installed, curbing and
on street parking is provided. Water and Sewer is in the vicinity of the Tract.
In 2019, the Ocoee Fire Department was relocated from the Fountains West Shopping Center to a temporary
location utilizing a mobile home building at Vignette Park. On May 16, 2023, the City Commission approved by
consensus to have City Staff find a permanent location on Clarcona Ocoee Road for a New Fire Station and to
move forward with finding a Private Public Partnership to construct the new facility.
City Staff has identified the Park Tract (2121 N. Lakewood Avenue) as a preferable spot to locate a Fire
Station and has been in discussions with the Ocoee Village Center Developing Group about a possible
modification of the Park Amenity to a Fire Station and believe it to have reached a consensus with the
Developing Group with respect to said use of the Tract as a Fire Station.
Staff has determined the Tract's location provides the following benefits for being utilized as a Fire Station.
1. The property is owned by the City, saving time and resources on property acquisition.
2. The property is serviced by public roads owned and maintained by the City of Ocoee.
3. The property is serviced by potable water and sewer by the City of Ocoee.
4. The property is ideally located within 2.5 - 3 minutes response time to the Northwest area Fire Service
Area and a sufficient distance away from the Winter Garden Fire Station.
5. The Ocoee Village Center Developing Group is having difficulty with the funding level of the Park as
approved in the original PUD and Amended PUD.
6. Potential additional funding for the Fire Station by the Ocoee Village Center Developing Group.
7. The location is very similar to Fire Station 26 on Clarke Road in that townhomes are located in the
vicinity, and have not had issues related to compatibility.
8. The use of a Fire Station will provide a public amenity as visioned in the Village Character Area
Overlay that Fire Stations provide positive public interactions.
9. The Fire Station would be in close proximity to the Ocoee Regional Sports Park.
City of Ocoee - 1 N. Bluford Avenue - Ocoee, Florida 34761
Phone: 0 0 i i'' i i'
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The next steps if the City Commission and Ocoee Village Center Developing Group come to a final agreement
would be to Amend the Ocoee Village Center PUD via a Substantial Amendment and modify the Development
Agreement to remove the obligation for the Park and its amenities. The Public Process would take 3-4
months.
Issue:
Should the Honorable Mayor and City Commissioners approve the utilization of the Ocoee Village Center Park
Amenity Tract as a Fire Station in lieu of a Public Park and request staff to bring back an Amendment to the
Ocoee Village Center PUD modifying the Park Tract to a Public Purpose Fire Station?
Recommendations:
Staff Recommends the Honorable Mayor and City Commissioners approve the utilization of the Ocoee Village
Center Park Amenity Tract as a Fire Station in lieu of a Public Park and request staff to bring back an
Amendment to the Ocoee Village Center PUD modifying the Park Tract to a Public Purpose Fire Station.
Attachments:
None
Financial Impacts:
This proposed action has no financial impact on the City. Currently, the City has $5,000,000 budgeted for a
northwest area fire station, and it is likely that there will be some contribution from the development
consortium. Subsequent approvals by the Commission will be necessary to finalize the design and
construction of the proposed new fire station.
Type of Item: Consent
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