Orange County Commissioners granted a special-exception approval for the Rex Grove RV Park. The decision came with significant modifications and a list of stringent conditions, along with further approvals needed for wastewater treatment.

The project, located at 5872 Rex Drive in Winter Garden within the Lake Avalon Rural Settlement, will feature 199 campsites, reduced from 249, which was reduced from 277 after the community meeting. The applicant, Robert Ziegenfuss, alongside Old Florida Groves leaders Preston Hage and Jake Schrimsher, presented the revised plan to the commission.

The approval includes 13 additional conditions designed to address community concerns:

1. Exit lanes from the property shall be right out only, and 6-inch-tall curbing shall be installed.
2. A 6-foot tall opaque fence shall be installed along the entire western boundary.
3. The quiet pool and associated amenities shall be set back 50 feet from the western property boundary.
4. The dog park must be fenced with double gated access.
5. The property owner shall keep an updated record regarding the length of stays. The maximum length of stay shall be no more than 28 consecutive days and shall not exceed 56 total days within a 12-month period. Permanent residents shall be prohibited.
6. The RV Park amenities and facilities usage and events shall be limited to guests that reside as overnight guests of the RV Park.
7. There shall be staff on-site 24 hours a day, and there shall be a secure method for after-hours entry.
8. No full facility PA system shall be permitted. The Sound Level Limit shall not exceed 55 dB between 10 pm and 8 am consistent with the County’s maximum allowable sound level limits for Residential Area as noted between the hours 10:01 pm and 6:59 am in Sec. 15-182. All other provisions of Article 5 – Noise Pollution Control, Sec. 15 shall apply.
9. The use of fireworks and sparklers shall be prohibited.
10. Use of off-road vehicles and ATVs by guests within the RV park shall be prohibited.
11. Use of golf carts within the RV park is allowed but shall be prohibited on Rex Drive or any other public roads. Signage stating “No golf carts beyond this point” shall be required at the Rex Dr. access point.
12. Check-in to the RV Park shall be no earlier than 10 am.
13. The pine forest and citrus grove areas and agritourism activities as presented in the renderings and site plan must be maintained in good condition.

Additionally, the applicant has agreed to contribute to road improvements, including sections of Avalon Road, Summerlake Park Boulevard, Porter Road, and Tilden Road.

Despite the approval, unresolved issues remain. Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings emphasized the need for further discussions regarding water and wastewater servicing for the park. The applicant must return to the commission for Development Plan approval to address these concerns before moving forward.