Orange County hosted a public hearing on December 15, 2022 regarding the extension of New Independence Parkway to the Lake County border.

This new urban 4-lane divided east-west roadway will link US 27 in Lake County with SR 429 in Orange County near the Horizon’s West Hamlin Groves Community. The road will include lighting and a 10’ multi-purpose path on both sides of the road. Roadway storm-water will be collected by a series of curb inlets and directed to a storm-water retention pond in the east and west drainage basins, with a new dry retention pond serving the east basin and an existing master retention pond serving the west basin. The study assessed both social and environmental impact associated with the planned road extension.

During the hearing, the HOA President of Wincy Groves provided feedback regarding the speed limit of the extension, pedestrian crossing for students walking to Hamlin Elementary and Middle, and neighborhood access.

The meeting included a presentation of study findings and recommendations. The Planning and Zoning Commission approved the findings and recommendations, and the initiative then moves to the Board of County Commissioners for review. Once the BCC approves, the project will enter the design phase, with construction estimated to start in early 2024 and finish in December 2024.