In a 5-2 vote led by Commissioner Wilson, Orange County Commissioners denied a request for a new townhome subdivision along Reams Road called Windermere Springs. The proposed location was next to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

During the public hearing, Commissioner Wilson cited concerns about the potential safety hazards of continued development along Reams Road, along with the middle school and high school being overcapacity, and flooding concerns from wetlands impact. After Hurricane Ian Reams Road was flooded in multiple areas, closing the road for several weeks.

Reams Road is scheduled to be upgraded to a four-lane road, with construction starting in 2026 and being completed in 2028 or beyond. The county has faced a significant transportation funding shortfall due to a 9-year, 70% discount developers received on transportation impact fees. In 2021, Commissioner Wilson’s first year in office, the discount was successfully removed which restored impact fees to their full amount.

To help secure additional funding, Commissioner Wilson has also been an advocate for utilizing the Tourist Development Tax to help fund some infrastructure and transportation needs. Earlier this year, the BCC decided not to move forward with a proposed 0.5% sales tax dedicated to transportation funding after a lack of public support. Commissioner Wilson opposed the sales tax due the lack of initiatives that would benefit District 1.

Commissioner Wilson made a motion to deny based on inconsistency with the comprehensive plan, and was seconded by Commissioner Scott. Commissioner Moore and Commissioner Uribe voted against the denial.