The Mount Dora City Council will soon consider a change to an ordinance relating to the building of model homes.
During a discussion at its May 2 meeting, the council directed staff to draft an ordinance that would require developers to get permission from the council to build model homes.
The idea was brought about by Vice-Mayor Marc Crail, who said he’d like to see a new process for approving model homes. First, he said, the city’s planning and zoning department would make sure developers were following the rules. Then, the department would make a recommendation to the city council for approval, or not.
Currently, the ordinance allows model homes to be placed in new developments before they are individually platted, subject to the following conditions:
- “The structure must comply with applicable construction codes, meet the minimum setback requirements of the zoning district and parking areas must be landscaped in accordance with the landscaping regulations.”
- “The sales office may not be utilized to conduct sales of any product or service other than lots and/or dwellings within the specific development.”
- “Approval for sales office may be granted for a period not to exceed one year or until 99 percent of the lots in the development are sold, whichever comes first. Renewals may be approved until 99 percent of the lots in the development are sold.”
- “New model homes subject to building permit requirements with maximum six units prior to final platting when required. Additional units may be granted by the Development Review Committee. Model homes must include foundation survey and final survey. Once the development plat has been recorded, the model homes limitations no longer apply.”
“I have no argument with model homes, they’re great,” Crail said at the council meeting. “…Right now, it’s a gift. A developer can do all sorts of bad things and yet they can build model homes in a new area before the lots are even platted. I think that can be allowable but I don’t think it (should) be an automatic thing.”
A spokeswoman for the city told GrowthSpotter that public hearings are forthcoming, but they have not been scheduled yet.
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