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News: Top Stories
Ocoee terminates contract
for sale of Crown Point land
- The City Commission is planning to hold a workshop to discuss the future of the acreage on Lake Apopka formerly known as the Coke Property.
By Mary Anne Swickerath
Ocoee will have to rethink the sale and development of the 75 acres of the city-owned Crown Point land on the eastern shore of Lake Apopka. Last week, the City Commission terminated its $12.5 million contract with Centex Homes because of the company's failure to make a payment to the city of $1.04 million that was due Sept. 28. A few weeks ago, Centex asked the city for an extension on its purchase agreement for three and one-half months, but the commission wanted $20,000 from the company to cover the city's interest payment on the property. Centex had earlier made non-refundable payments totaling $210,000, but the city's interest tab is $230,000.
Centex informed the commission last week that it was not willing to pay the additional $20,000, so the elected officials voted unanimously to cancel the contract.
The city originally bought the land for $1 million and constructed $6 million worth of infrastructure, including roads and utilities; and Centex had grand plans for an upscale residential development on the property. But the downturn in the real estate market altered the original plans, so now the city will have to either hold onto the property until the market improves or put it up for sale again and see what offers come in.
When Commissioner Scott Anderson asked Ocoee Community Development Director Russ Wagner how many housing starts the city currently had, Wagner replied approximately 50 in the last few months. He said he expects the city to finish the year with 250-300 new housing starts, a figure about half of the usual number.
Commission Rusty Johnson favored holding a workshop to discuss the future of the property, and Commissioner Joel Keller agreed, saying it was not a good idea to take a huge hit on this just because the market is going through a bad time. Other options could include a commercial/professional complex.
Mayor Scott Vandergrift said he thought the property would be appropriate for professional offices. He also supported having a workshop, and the commission voted unanimously to set up a workshop as soon as possible.
On another matter, the commission held the first reading of a proposed ordinance that would enact new laws for front-yard parking (including blocking sidewalks with parked vehicles and the parking of recreational vehicles, boats and campers in residential neighborhoods), the conversion of garages to living space and the construction of fences in front and side yards.
This reading was a continuation of a public hearing first held on Sept. 5, 2006. The second reading and final public hearing on these new rules will be held at the next commission meeting scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 6.
In other business, the elected officials:
reappointed Joseph W. Hembree, Robert M. McKey and Rosemary Wilsen to new two-year terms on the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.
approved replacing Milo the Ocoee Police K-9 (who is 9 years old and facing retirement) with a new dog purchased from Mid Florida Working Dog for $7,500. The department has received a $5,000 donation from Milk Bone Dog Biscuits for a replacement K-9 and, in addition, has $2,500 in its K-9 donation account.
approved the plat for the 12.14 West 50 Commercial Subdivision of four lots located on the south side of West Colonial Drive between the Western Beltway and the Florida Turnpike.
held the first reading for the proposed ordinance to revise personnel rules and regulations as presented by Human Resources Director Jim Carnicella. The final public hearing on this ordinance will be held Nov. 6.
hosted a presentation by the Ocoee Human Relations Diversity Board of a $500 check to the Ocoee High School Marching Band.
heard from Human Relations Diversity Board member Lester Dabbs that there will be a remembrance ceremony of the 1920 racial violence in Ocoee on Saturday, Nov. 3, at 11 a.m. at the Ocoee Oaks Methodist Church, 201 S. Clarke Road, beginning at 11 a.m. There will be a speaker and a performance by the Ocoee High School Chorus and a time for sharing.
received Ocoee Knights hats and umbrellas from OHS Principal Mike Armbruster in appreciation for the great support the city provides the school.
heard a report by Commissioner Johnson and City Engineer David Wheeler that the Founders' Day Golf Tournament held Oct. 12 drew 151 participants and had 50 hole sponsors. Johnson added that the Founders' Day 5K Walk/Run on Oct. 13 was also a big success.
approved purchasing a corporate table for the West Orange Chamber's Annual Mayors' Luncheon in the amount of $248. The luncheon will be held Nov. 7 at Tanner Hall in Winter Garden.
agreed with City Manager Rob Frank that Ocoee Founders' Day should be videotaped for airing on OGTV at a cost of $3,500.
decided not to join the Florida League of Mayors.
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