The proposed expansion of Special Hearts Farm has taken a significant step forward after the Orange County Planning & Zoning Commission voted unanimously in favor of the request for a zoning and Future Land Use change. The approval marks a key milestone for the organization, which is seeking to expand its facilities to better serve individuals with disabilities through a larger training center, residential care home, and agricultural programs. However, the project must still receive final approval from the Board of County Commissioners in the coming weeks.

Special Hearts Farm is aiming to rezone 18.86 acres of land along Avalon Road from A-1 (Citrus Rural District) to PD (Planned Development), while changing the Future Land Use designation from Rural Settlement to Institutional. The expansion plan includes a 15,000-square-foot training facility, an 8,000-square-foot residential care home for up to 30 residents, an animal barn, and a 3,500-square-foot event barn.

The community has voiced mixed reactions to the project. While there is widespread support for the farm’s agricultural programs, which provide meaningful day activities for students, there are concerns about the broader impacts of the zoning changes. Local residents have argued that the institutional and residential aspects of the plan are incompatible with the rural character of the Lake Avalon Rural Settlement and could set a precedent for future developments that further erode the area’s rural charm.

At the Planning & Zoning Commission meeting, several residents expressed concerns about how the zoning and Future Land Use changes could permanently alter the rural nature of the area. A primary worry is that once these changes are made, they stay with the parcel, opening the door for future developments that may not align with the community’s vision for the Lake Avalon Rural Settlement.

Additionally, another nearby development request—a 249-site RV park—has raised similar concerns about the long-term impacts on the rural settlement. Although the RV park proposal was denied by the Board of Zoning Adjustment, developers have appealed the decision to the Board of County Commissioners, arguing that RV parks have been approved in other rural settlements within Orange County. For many, this highlights the potential risks of approving the Special Hearts Farm zoning request, as it could create a precedent for further incompatible developments.

Despite these concerns and after lengthy discussions regarding other options to protect the rural settlement, the Planning & Zoning Commission moved forward with the approval. District 1 representative David Boers instructed County Staff to continue pursuing options for a future text amendment to ensure the rural settlement is protected from other development.

With the approval secured from the Planning & Zoning Commission, the proposal now heads to the Board of County Commissioners for a final decision. The County Commissioners will have the last word on whether to approve the requested zoning and Future Land Use changes, and their decision could shape the future of development in the Lake Avalon Rural Settlement.

Residents and stakeholders still have the opportunity to voice their opinions before the final decision is made. Comments can be emailed to the County Commissioners, and reference should be made to case numbers SS-24-03-006 and LUP-23-12-360.