Supporting Dominium’s Vision for Affordable Housing in Apopka, FL

In response to Central Florida’s urgent need for affordable housing, Dominium, a nationally recognized leader in affordable housing development, set out to bring nearly 500 new affordable homes to Apopka, FL.   

With a vision to create vibrant, inclusive communities for working families and seniors, Dominium planned two adjacent developments: The Mira, a 300-unit family community, and The Stillwaters, a 180-unit community designed specifically for seniors.  

Located approximately 20 miles northwest of Orlando, this 35-acre site represented an opportunity to provide lasting impact through well-designed, income-restricted housing. However, to make this vision a reality, Dominium needed a trusted land development partner to help navigate complex rezoning, permitting, and engineering challenges. 

Building More Than Housing  

Dominium’s objective extended beyond increasing housing inventory. Their mission included:  

• Delivering quality, affordable living options for families and seniors earning 60% or less of the area median income (AMI)  
• Creating connected, amenity-rich communities that enhance quality of life  
• Navigating entitlements and local approvals efficiently to ensure project momentum  
• Ensuring the development aligns with Orange County’s broader housing strategy 

Bringing Vision to Life Through Strategic Site Development

To support these goals, Bohler’s Florida teams delivered a suite of site civil engineering, consulting, and entitlement services tailored to the unique needs of affordable housing development. 

Rezoning Assistance

Bohler guided Dominium through the complex rezoning process, aligning site design with Orange County regulations while maximizing unit yield. The team also supported the client through Development Plan permitting, including hearings with the Orange County Design Review Committee, to ensure the project balanced the County’s requirements with the client’s vision. One example of this was facilitating a design compromise by incorporating small sections of permeable pavement—allowing the project to meet maximum impervious surface coverage requirements without sacrificing building area or parking spaces. 

Site Civil and Consulting Engineering

From due diligence through design, Bohler led site civil and consulting engineering efforts that brought Dominium’s vision to life. The team carefully coordinated with the landscape architecture group to seamlessly integrate proposed amenities into the site layout, accommodating both garden-style apartment buildings and a diverse set of community features. These included a clubhouse, fitness center, resort-style pool, playground, EV charging stations, and lakefront views — each thoughtfully designed to enhance resident experience and community identity. 

Bohler’s role extended beyond design. By leveraging deep local knowledge and strong agency relationships, the team streamlined permitting and entitlements with local and regional stakeholders. This proactive coordination was critical to maintaining project momentum and meeting funding deadlines. 

More Than Engineering

Bohler’s work supported Dominium in fulfilling its broader mission: to build enduring value through high-quality, affordable housing that strengthens communities and provides residents with the dignity and stability of a place to call home. 

A Foundation for Long-Term Community Impact  

With support from Bohler and a host of development and financial partners, Dominium officially broke ground in May 2025. When complete, The Mira and The Stillwaters will offer 480 affordable homes that blend thoughtful design with essential resources for working families and seniors.  

Bohler is proud to have played a role in helping Dominium achieve its mission — delivering accessible, high-quality housing that strengthens the Apopka community and sets a precedent for affordable housing development across Florida.