Commissioner Nicole Wilson recently welcomed a crowd of approximately 70 people to a town hall meeting in Horizon West, Florida. The meeting was attended by representatives from various organizations, including Parks and Recreation, Orange County Library, Orange County Fire & Rescue, Orange County Public Schools, and Transportation and Planning. The representative for the Orange County Sheriff’s Office could not attend due to being required at a local emergency.
Matt Suedmeyer, who represented Parks and Recreation, gave an overview of the parks in Horizon West. There are five-acre neighborhood parks located next to most elementary schools in the area. Some of the parks that are already completed include Summerport Neighborhood Park, Independence Park, Deputy Scott Pine Community Park, and Lakeside Village Park. In addition, six more parks are under construction or in the design phase. Some of these future parks include Taborfield Park, Summerlake Park, and Horizon West Regional Park, Bentonshire Park, Watermark Park, Waterleigh North Park, Waterleigh South Park, Lakeview Point, Silverleaf Park, and several unnamed parks.
Design is wrapped up for Horizon West Regional Park Phase 1A and the permitting process is underway. Phase 1A includes the entry drive, parking, pathways, playground, restroom, and pavilion. The design for Phase 1B has also been initiated.
A Horizon West Trails study was also completed in 2015. The study identified existing and proposed trails, and each village is designed to have loops that all interconnect, eventually connecting to the West Orange Trail. The Horizon West Trail through Stoneybrook West Parkway expansion from Winter Garden Vineland to Dillard St is in the design phase.
The Chief Branch Officer at the Orange County Library, Danielle King, spoke about the library’s expansion project. The Horizon West branch of the library has a ground lease with Orange County and will feature a 20,000 sq ft library building and outdoor space on 1.1 acres. The library is now fine-free, and starting in January, all libraries now feature WiFi hotspots that are available for checkout. The library will also be hosting weekly summer events every Saturday at the Waterleigh Clubhouse. An additional community meeting is planned for more details on the new branch.
Chief Kimberly Buffkin represented Orange County Fire & Rescue and discussed the temporary station at Orlando Health. Station 44 will move to Reams Road, and a new Station 48 will occupy the temporary location at Orlando Health. Station 48 will then permanently be built at Lake Ingram Rd/Avalon Rd.
Pam Gould represented Orange County Public Schools and gave an overview of the school district. With a student population of 208,166, it is the 8th largest school district in the country. Vocational training has increased by 110% since 2012 in OCPS, and there are programs in every middle and high school leading into technical training. The district also offers 39 courses in the AP program. The budgeted funding per student has remained on par with inflation, which is attributed to the One Mil levy that has continued to be supported by the community. Since 2003, 64 new schools have been built and 132 schools replaced or renovated.
The Windermere High School Stadium is being relocated and is expected to receive all approvals by July. The bleacher foundations are scheduled to be completed by September 1st, 2023, with bleacher relocation, sidewalks, fencing, and stadium lighting to follow. Concessions and restrooms are scheduled to be completed by August 1st, 2024. The new stadium will be located where the practice field is currently, and the goal is to be able to play some of the last games of the season in the new stadium.
Blanche Hardy represented Transportation and Planning and discussed the roadway projects in the region. Many roadway expansions in Horizon West are Public/Private Partnerships, which are when developers pay the funding for construction and Orange County oversees the project. The developer then receives transportation impact fee credits. The Reams Road improvement is 90% completed in design with constructed scheduled for 2026. Ficquette Road improvement is 90% completed in design with constructed scheduled for Fall 2023/Early 2024.
A representative from Traffic Engineering also spoke and outlined their commitment to providing safety and operational traffic solutions to enhance the quality of life in Horizon West. The ultimate goal is Vision Zero, which is to eliminate all fatalities on the roadways. One of the most significant projects that the Traffic Engineering department is working on is the Horizon West Lakeside Village Preliminary Improvement Plan. This project will involve the installation of crosswalks, speed tables/cushions, median islands, speed feedback signs, and lane elimination. Short-term plans will be implemented in FY 23-24, and long-term plans, including roundabout design/construction, will take place between FY 24-27. The department is also working on speed limit reduction and neighborhood traffic calming. The Traffic Engineering department is also working on the Hamlin Groves Trail project, which will include intersection improvements, traffic calming, and a study that will start in Spring 2023.
Traffic Engineering has to balance competing interests on what measures to put in place on roadways. For example, while OCSO may be in favor of a speed cushion to reduce speed, the Fire Marshal may oppose it due to slowing down the response to an emergency. A new speed cushion design is being developed to give fire trucks a pathway through the cushion, while still requiring cars to go over it, that will reduce speed without slowing down emergency responders.
In the Planning Division, Nicolas Thalmueller provided a history of the area as well as information on the development process. The area’s planning history dates back to the 1980s, when freezes decimated the west orange county citrus industry. In 1993, a public-private partnership was formed to consider the area’s development, and framework policies were adopted into the County’s Comprehensive Plan. Fundamental policies for development in Horizon West include an interconnected street network, a mix of housing types, adequate public facilities, and centrally located neighborhood centers. Six individual villages make up Horizon West, and the Horizon West Special Planning Area Land Use Map is used to guide development. The development process differs from other areas in the County, with the CH 38 Village Code and Town Center Code applying, and Planned Development zoning being required.
All properties in Horizon West have the old rural agricultural zoning. Property owners must apply to rezone the property, which begins with a special planning area land use map designation, and once zoning is in place, a subdivision request can be submitted. Development Plans then outline where buildings will be located, as well as the landscaping, parking, and stormwater management. The county values community involvement and uses resident input to make informed decisions about development. Without community involvement, they are not able to get an understanding of the impacts to local residents.
After the meeting, residents were able to participate in a Question and Answer session with all presents.
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