While Horizon West continues to experience rapid growth in Orange County, across the border in Lake County much of the area between Horizon West and 27 remains rural. While the Wellness Way Master Plan has this area planned to be developed out similar to Horizon West, the area has grown at a much slower pace. When Horizon West was formed, some local residents were against the suburban concept and they created the Lake Avalon Rural Settlement, a district just north of Horizon West that protects the rural lifestyle with home sites on minimum of 5 acres.

These opposing cultures and lifestyles are now colliding against each other surrounding the new planned development McKinnon Groves. This development will feature up to 661 homes and will re-align part of Hartwood Marsh Road with the addition of another roundabout. The only access into the community will be through Hartwood Marsh Road, which is heavily utilized currently. This design also is different from many other communities in Horizon West, which allow for development to inter-connect to create a seamless community, but in this case provides wooded buffers to neighbors.

McKinnon Groves is situated directly on the border with the Rural Settlement and has the potential to bring changes to residents living in the area. While Horizon West also abuts the Rural Settlement, much of the border area is occupied by Water Conserv II basins, which prevent any development from occurring.

Both sides have been vocal in their stance, with local residents creating multiple Facebook groups and websites against the development along with a petition with over 800 signatures. Former Orange County Commissioner Scott Boyd, who’s involved in the development of the property, created a public post on Facebook providing more information and dispel any rumors about it. He is also going to be holding a Community Information Meeting for residents this Saturday.

The map is outlined on our Horizon West Permits and Future Development Map below, and we’ve embedded posts for both sides below for more information from the stakeholders directly.

The next meeting for McKinnon Groves will be held September 7 by the Lake County Board of Commissioners.