Mount Dora Rejects Developer’s High Rise Proposal

On February 21st, the Mount Dora City Council rejected a proposed development with high rise buildings in the Wolf Branch Innovation District (WBID), which is located near the interchange of the SR 453 Connector and SR 46. The city and Lake County jointly planned a gateway development at this location with criteria for both commercial and residential development. However, the developer requested that the city approve a Planned Unit Development with variances from several of the criteria in order to maximize the amount of residential (over 1,500 units) and commercial (a hotel and convention center plus over 3 million square feet of commercial and office) on the 36.5 acre site.

One of the key criteria set by the city and county was a height restriction of 100 feet for all buildings. However, the development, as originally proposed, would have included several buildings up to 350 feet in height. During discussions with the city, the developer agreed to reduce the height of the buildings to 250 feet.

Opposition by city residents and nearby neighborhoods focused on the proposed height of the buildings. During the council meeting, the developer agreed to reduce the maximum building height to 197 feet. The council decided to reject the proposed PUD, but left the door open for the developer to reapply.

One of FOWR’s concerns was the potential for the development to reduce the potential aquifer recharge because of the density of the development (75% impervious area and only 15% open space). The development would have been located just north of the Wolf Branch Sink, which recharges the Upper Floridan Aquifer. FOWR member Cindy Newton talked to the Council about the importance of protecting the Sink, and provided handouts that described its direct connection to the Upper Floridan Aquifer.