On Tuesday, the Orange County Commission voted to draft a charter amendment to designate specific rural areas and boundaries. This amendment would require a majority-plus-one vote of the commission to alter its comprehensive plan to increase development density and intensity in areas where growth is not already planned. Currently, a simple majority (4-3) vote is sufficient. This amendment would raise the threshold to a 5-2 vote within the rural boundary.

This initiative was proposed by the county’s Charter Review Commission (CRC). However, a recent change to state bill SB 1420, which is awaiting the governor’s signature, would remove the CRC’s authority to place the amendment on the ballot.

During the commission meeting, over 45 residents expressed support for the amendment, emphasizing the importance of protecting rural lands, the environment, and local autonomy.

The CRC’s proposal defines the Rural Area as parts of unincorporated Orange County, excluding regions designated for growth, such as the county’s Urban Service Area, municipal joint planning areas, Growth Centers, Innovation Way Overlay, and Horizon West Villages. While Horizon West is designated a high growth area and would be excluded from the majority-plus-one rule, areas surrounding Horizon West such as south along Avalon Road and Flamingo Crossings would be included.

The Board of County Commissioners will host a workshop to discuss the ballot initiative further in June. Should the commission approve the measure, the proposed Rural Boundary Amendment will appear on the November ballot. The direction to staff to create ballot language was motioned by Commissioner Bonilla, seconded by Commissioner Wilson, and passed unanimously.

According to the Orlando Sentinel, Seminole County already has rural boundaries in place and is also seeking to add majority-plus-one requirements to the November ballot.