More than 565 homes are being planned on an infill development site in east Orlando

A development team led by Winter Park-based Jel Site Development Inc. wants to introduce more than 565 homes to east Orlando.

The company along with property investor, Kenny Goldring from Miami Beach, are working together to convert about 108 acres at 6540 Lake Underhill Rd. into a large residential subdivision with 270 townhomes and 298 single-family homes.

According to an application submitted in the St. Johns River Water Management District, the partners are seeking permits for the construction of infrastructure on the development site, which includes roadways, lot grading, storm sewer, water and sanitary sewer, and a lift station. The developer also filed engineering plans with City of Orlando in late June.

The application also indicates the developer will make improvements to Lake Underhill Road at the north entrance.

Currently the property is undeveloped and wetlands cover about 64 percent of the site, with the remainder of the property covered by uplands.

The wetland overflows into an existing ditch/canal system that drains southerly to the Azalea Park Canal system, ultimately entering the Little Econlockhatchee River.

To mitigate the impact, Jel promised to donate about 123 acres of land, known as the Lowe Tract, to the SJRWMD.

The Lowe Tract is located near the Christmas community in far east Orange County at 17875 Partin Farms Rd.

In total, the Lowe Tract provides for 85.5 acres of wetland preservation, 27.5 acres of upland preservation, and eight acres of upland enhancement. After the Baywoods project, a total of about 13 acres of wetland preservation and eight acres of upland preservation remain for future mitigation usage for other projects, with certain conditions.

Records show Baywoods Orlando LLC, an entity led by Jel managers, paid a little more than $2.1 million for the site in 2005. The sellers were members of the Goldring family.

An operating agreement filed about ten years later shows, Kenny Goldring contributed $8 million in the form of real property, while Jel promised to commit up to $5 million in planning and development expenses.

GTC Engineering, a Baxter and Woodman Company, is the civil engineer.

A site plan shows the townhome neighborhood will feature two-story townhomes with a neighborhood clubhouse and recreational amenities. The single-family home subdivision will be gated and will feature single and two-story homes with a minimum lot width of 40 feet.

Representatives with Jel did not respond to requests for comment.

On his LinkedIn page, Dustin Lucas, a manager of Baywoods Orlando LLC, said he was able to overcome many obstacles presented by the property.

“It’s probably the largest infill project that will come out of true Orlando,” he said. “I was told by basically every builder in town I was crazy.”

Plans have been in the works since 2015. It is unclear when construction is anticipated to begin.

Have a tip about Central Florida development? Contact me at arabines@GrowthSpotter.com or (407) 420-5427, or tweet me at @amanda_rabines. Follow GrowthSpotter on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.