BUSINESS AVIATION CENTER
The City of Apopka is planning for a new or expanded regional airport and related business/ industrial development sites in the west area of the City to meet the future aviation needs of Apopka and the region. The area encompasses the West Orange Airport Authority (WOAA) district.
The study area features excellent multimodal access: it is located at the intersection of US 441 and SR 429, offers a direct connection to the Florida Turnpike and links to I-75, SR 408 and I-4, and is served by a rail line which may be used in the future for commuter rail service. It also features two private airports, the Orlando Apopka Airport and the North Orlando Airport. The Orlando International Airport and the Orlando-Sanford International Airport are both located 26 miles from the study area.
Four potential development scenarios have been created:
Alternative Plan #1
This concept proposes the expansion of the Orlando Apopka Airport to handle increased aviation needs. A new 6,000 foot runway with a north south orientation is proposed adjacent to the existing runway as part of phase one. The plan shows a proposed Aviation Museum, businesses supporting aviation, and parking (park and ride) for the future commuter rail station.
In phase two, a commercial center is proposed within a short walk of the rail station. This area and the adjacent office/ professional development may also be conveniently accessed by a proposed frontage road. These developments are strategically located between the commuter rail station and a trade/business incubator in order to support both key features.
The trade/business incubator would complement a trade school in this area. Multifamily developments on both sides of Jones Avenue would provide housing for students as well as employees of adjacent businesses. The industrial and warehouse/ distribution developments around the existing Orlando North Airpark would be serviced by Jones Avenue as well as multiple proposed rail spurs off the existing freight line.
Alternative Plan #2
This concept also proposes the expansion of the Orlando Apopka Airport to handle increased aviation needs. A new 6,000 foot runway is proposed perpendicular to the existing runway.
Alternative Plan #3
The land uses and features of this concept are the same as the plan 2 with one main exception: the proposed runway at the Orlando Apopka Airport is north of the existing runway to take advantage of the more level topography in that area. The proposed east-west orientation maximizes the windbased landing possibilities.
Alternative Plan #4
This concept explores the possibility of expanding the Orlando North Airpark. The runway at the Orlando North Airpark would be paved and lengthened to 6,000 feet. A second runway, perpendicular to the improved runway, would maximize the wind-based landing possibilities. The proposed extension of Ponkan Road will create a truck route to this improved airport as well as a connection to the existing Orlando Apopka Airport. This proposed truck route will relieve additional truck traffic on US 441. An internal frontage road is proposed to connect the future commuter rail station, the trade/business school campus, and the light industrial development proposed north of the Orlando Apopka Airport.
