Maitland City Council approved the annexation of 49 acres from Orange County, adding both a 272-unit apartment complex and the site of a proposed 36-acre mixed-use development.
The two annexations extend Maitland’s borders to the west along Maitland Boulevard to Forest City Road. The Bella Terra Condominiums, which remains in unincorporated Orange County, is now bordered by Maitland to the north and east.
The only current development in the annexed 49-acre site is the OP Estates at Maitland Summit apartment complex.
But Maitland West, LLLP, and its developer, MMI Development of Winter Park, have big plans for the other 36 acres, including 600 apartment units, a 71,000-square-foot sports and recreation complex, a 41,000-square-foot grocery store, a bank, restaurants, office space and 120 hotel rooms.
The annexation agreement only states that the city would “consider” any zoning changes or approvals to allow the project to one day be approved, as the city is not allowed to grant binding “zoning contracts.”
The annexation is estimated to generate $22,507 per year to the city, or about $450,000 over 20 years, even if the Maitland West project isn’t built. The best case scenario, with the full mixed-use development built by 2024, is estimated to generate $176,358 in fiscal surplus per year, or about $3.5 million over 20 years.
The city would be responsible for fire and police services but not water and sewer, which would remain with the county.