HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-20-2025 Minutes®COEE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
Ocoee Commission Chambers
1 N. Bluford Avenue
Ocoee, Florida
March 20, 2025 MINUTES 6:30 PM
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Present: Chair Lomneck, Vice -Chair Forges, Member Keller, Alternate Member Butler
Also present: Zoning Manager Whitfield, Development Services irector orless, rban
Designer Parish, Planner Belizaire, Commitment and Concurrency Coordinator McFarlane,
Utilities Director Bolling, Staff Engineer Burch, Public Works Director Krug, City Attorney
Geller, and Recording Clerk Justice
(6:31 pm)
Motion for Approvai of the Consent Agenda. Moved by Member Keller, Seconded by
Alternate Member Butler; Motion carried unanimously.
1. Workshop: Envision 2045 Ocoee Comprehensive Plan & Land Development Code
Update (Zoning Manager Whitfield)
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Planning & Zoning Commission
March 20, 2026
and Analysis (DIA) document. The City's transportation consultancy firm is providing technical
assistance regarding the Transportation Element, which will be renamed as the Mobility
Element.
Envision 2045 is organized into the following chapters:
• Introduction
• Vibrant, Attractive & Inclusive Community
• Efficient, Reliable & Well -Maintained Infrastructure
• Safe & Convenient Mobility
• Environment -Friendly, Resilient & Sustainable Community
• Responsible, Accessible & Open Governance
• Appendix
Zoning Manager Whitfield touched on the Introduction chapter. She followed by opening the
presentation on the elements included within Chapter 2, Vibrant, Attractive & Inclusive
Community.
Zoning Manager Whitfield explained the policies and objectives of the Future Land Use
Element.
Planner Belizaire and Urban Designer Parish discussed the policies and objectives of the
Housing Element.
Development Services Director Corless addressed the Recreation and Open Space
Element policies and objectives.
Zoning Manager Whitfield opened the floor for questions regarding Chapter 2.
Member Keller inquired about multimodal access with respect to the Housing Element and
the Lynx bus service. Zoning Manager Whitfield responded to his question. He also inquired
about citywide WiFi. Zoning Manager Whitfield responded to his question. Member Keller
further inquired about bike lane safety and wide sidewalks. Zoning Manager Whitfield and
Development Services Director Corless responded to his concerns.
Chair Lomneck inquired about the national average ratio of number of parks per number of
residents. Development Services Director Corless responded to his question.
Vice -Chair Forges inquired about activity centers. Zoning Manager Whitfield responded to
his question.
Zoning Manager Whitfield introduced Chapter 3, Efficient, Reliable & Well -Maintained
Infrastructure.
Utilities Director Bolling discussed the policies and objectives of the Utilities Sub -Element.
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Planning & Zoning Commission
March 20, 2025
Zoning Manager Whitfield discussed the policies and objectives of the Drainage Sub -
Element. She then opened the floor for questions on Chapter 3.
City Attorney Geller provided the definition • NPDES.
Member Keller inquired about reclaimed water availability. Assistant City Manager Rumer
and Utilities Director Boiling addressed his question. He asked about state or e era
funding assistance for removing septic tanks. Utilities Director Bolling addressed his
question. Member Keller further inquired about new developments installing sewer
infrastructure even if it is not yet available. Utilities Director • responded to his •
Vice -Chair Forges inquired if developers are required or recommended to utilize reclaimed
water, and further inquired about natural gas. Assistant City Manager Rumer and Utilities
Director Bolling responded to his inquiries.
Alternate Member Butler asked about the limited circumstances regarding the requirement
to • new development to central utility services. Utilities Director Bolling responded
to his question.
A brief recess was called at 7:32 pm. The meeting resumed at 7.43 pm.
Vice -Chair Forges Inquired about the goal to minimize the use of retention ponds in
development. Public Works Director Krug addressed his question, Discussion ensued
regarding stormwater and drainage alternatives.
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the •• and •i • the •• Element. She then opened the •i for questions
• Chapter 4.
Member Keller opined that the City should take care when planning walkable areas, citing
Fowler's Grove [in Winter Garden] as an example. He further suggested that driverless cars
should be taken into consideration for the future. Zoning Manager Wh ield respon e o
his comments.
Vice -Chair Forges referenced the Envision 2045 presentation promoting 55 and over
communities and projecting a 2045 population of 70,000-plus residents. He further pondered
if the City might have an inner-city contract with Lynx [to provide public transit] in the future.
Zoning Manager Whitfield responded to his inquiry.
Zoning Manager Whitfield introduced Chapter 5, Environment -Friendly, Resilient &
Sustainable Community.
Staff Engineer Burch and Zoning Manager Whitfield discussed the Conservation Element.
Zoning Manager Whitfield opened the floor for questions on Chapter 5.
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Urban Designer Parish and Zoning Manager Whitfield discussed new Land Development
Code standards, the proposed Design Manual, and incorporating the public realm experience.
Zoning Manager Whitfield summarized the next steps and schedule for adopting the LDC,
City Attorney Geller mentioned that he has led tours of Baldwin Park for planners across
Florida and offered the same opportunity to staff and Board Members. He noted that Board
Members would need to attend separately to comply with Sunshine Law. [Baldwin Park has
successfully implemented design standards like those the City of Ocoee seeks to achieve.]
He further complimented the City on their efforts to increase the esthetics and functionality
within the City.
Urban Designer Parish noted that Central Florida boasts some of the finest examples Of new
communities. Drawing from her experience studying and working in Charleston, South
Carolina, she emphasized the importance of timeless design principles. She stated that
Ocoee aims tOdevelop enduring —`— buildings that residents will love and benefit from for years
to come.
Zoning Manager Whitfield discussed the benefits of intertwining the Comprehensive Plan
and Land Development Code.
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