Commissioner Wilson is seeking local residents to speak on public safety and development along Reams Road at the December 17 Board of County Commissioners meeting. Two separate topics regarding Reams Road will be heard during the session:

1. The developer for a denied townhome community along Reams Road has sued Orange County. A Special Magistrate has sent the request back to the Board for further discussion.
2. Public Works is seeking approval to delay Reams Road improvements by 270 days to address challenges with the bridge design between Greenbank Blvd and Peachtree Park.

A moratorium on development was also proposed in October by Commissioner Wilson, which will go before the Board in January.

An email was sent to residents who had previously contacted Commissioner Wilson’s office regarding Reams Road:

Thank you for reaching out to our office in the past to share thoughts about the infrastructure, flooding, and safety issues along Reams Rd, Ficquette Rd, and Summerlake Blvd. These persistent issues deeply impact the community, and we are writing today to encourage you to join us in advocating for solutions at the upcoming Board of County Commissioners (BCC) meeting.

 

Commissioner Nicole Wilson has been a steadfast advocate for addressing the challenges along the Reams Rd corridor. Unfortunately, prior development approvals by previous commissioners have contributed to the current conditions. Commissioner Wilson opposed the Dream Finders project when it was approved in 2018-2019 before she took office. Despite her opposition, the development you see today was approved and is under construction. 

 

In August, Commissioner Wilson made a motion to deny the Windermere Springs preliminary subdivision plan due to concerns about exacerbating infrastructure and safety issues. With support from the Mayor and Commissioners from Districts 4, 5, and 6, the Board denied the plan. The PD was approved in 2018 by the previous sitting commissioner.  Unfortunately, the developer has since filed a lawsuit against the County, and this case will be revisited at the BCC meeting on Tuesday, December 17 following a Special Magistrate’s recommendation to send it back to the Board for further discussion.

 

Public Works is seeking Board approval at the same meeting to delay construction along Reams Rd by 270 days to address challenges with the bridge design, specifically the deep muck pocket between Greenbank Blvd. and Peachtree Park Ct. Additionally, in October, Commissioner Wilson moved to adopt a development moratorium for the Reams Rd corridor, which will return to the Board for further action on Tuesday, January 7. You can rewatch her request here.

 

How You Can Help:

We need the voices of the community to emphasize the importance of public safety and responsible development along Reams Rd.

1. Attend the BCC Meeting:
   • Date: Tuesday, December 17, 2024
   • Time: 9:00 AM
   • Location: Orange County Administration Center, 201 S Rosalind Ave, Orlando, FL 32801
2. Share Your Experiences: If you cannot attend in person, you can still make a difference by sharing your observations and concerns with the Board members via email:
   • [email protected]
   • [email protected]
   • [email protected]
   • [email protected]
   • [email protected]
   • [email protected]

Due to Florida’s Sunshine Laws, Commissioner Wilson is unable to discuss this matter with her colleagues outside of the public meeting, so your input is invaluable in ensuring that your experiences are heard.

Residents wishing to share their experience with Reams Road should attend the hearing or contact each Commissioner via email.