ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Some Orange County commissioners are proposing more oversight for churches in rural areas.
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The move came after residents in Bithlo voiced concerns over a plan to build a large new church.
The Cross Life Church purchased 15 acres on Lake Pickett Road to build that new church.
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A moratorium in Orange County could affect churches already waiting for approval.
“We’ve been living here for 20 years. We do not want a church here. That doesn’t make us bad people, that just makes us want our way of life,” said Pat Buchanan.
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Residents say the new church will bring more people and more traffic to the quiet area of east Orange County.
A memo was filed by Commissioner Emily Bonilla and Commissioner-elect Kelly Semrad and says because these projects are not subject to special exception requirements or BCC oversight, they cause challenges because of things like a gap in regulations on what is considered a small church and what is a large one and doesn’t always factor in community concerns.
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One of the pastors told Channel 9 that the new location will not be a megachurch but a place where community happens.
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