Orange County Board of County Commissioners has denied a request for a new church in Lake Avalon Rural Settlement. Discovery Church requested an exemption to build a 737-seat church with 270 parking spaces.

Located at the corner of Rex Rd and McKinney Rd, the 44,000 square foot building required a special exception to be built in Lake Avalon and is currently zoned A-1. This zoning would only allow for construction of a nursery, greenhouse, mobile home, or single family home.

During a standing-room only community meeting, local residents voiced their concern about the proposal and requested that project to either be moved to Horizon West, or the building downsized to 16,000 square feet to be in line with other churches in the rural settlement. After the community meeting, Discovery Church proceeded with their request without any changes.

At the BCC meeting, many residents participated in public comments, stretching the meeting to over 2 hours long on this sole issue. One concern raised was that while a church would enhance and support the rural community, that goal would be difficult when the rural community is overall opposed to the project.

The Board of County Commissioners denied the request in a 4 – 3 vote.