ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — More than 90 people came out to speak during a 7.5 hour Orange County Commission meeting to discuss the Lake Pickett development project that would bring more than 4,000 homes to the area.
Residents of the area were concerned that the development would exacerbate traffic issues and take away rural feel.
Residents also felt that the Econ River should be a rural-urban divider, leaving the land east of the river, where the development is planned, undeveloped.
Proponents argued that the project, split into two phases, Lake Pickett North and Lake Pickett South, would create jobs and be an economic boon for the area.
At 1 a.m., a resident got up to speak in favor of the proposal.
“As a resident of Orange County, I want to encourage those jobs, those tax dollars and those opportunities to remain in the county and the benefits to be reaped by the residents,” the resident said.
In the early hours Wednesday, the commission voted 4-3 to approve both phases of the proposed development and found they were consistent with the county’s comprehensive plan.
The next step would be to send the proposal to the state for review and feedback and then hold an adoption hearing.
Cox Media Group
