Orlando’s city limits could expand by more than 52,000 acres if officials ultimately approve a new annexation request from Farmland Reserve, Inc., a Utah-based nonprofit organization affiliated with the Mormon Church.
Farmland Reserve is a subsidiary of Desert ranchesa 300,000-acre ranch operation spanning Brevard, Orange and Osceola counties. Plans to transform the ranch land into a huge settlement Tensions had been brewing for years before Farmland’s application for voluntary incorporation was received by the City of Orlando on August 23.
This initial application is only the first step in a long-term formal review process. Concrete plans are not expected for several years, said a city spokesman.
“Life outside our water means”
If you are considering a new development or expansion, St. John’s Riverkeeper According to Lisa Rinaman, it is crucial to assess what impact the planned development could have on the community’s supply of natural resources, such as water.
“The state of Florida has already recognized that Central Florida is over-extending its water resources. This means that the water supply is not sufficient to meet current obligations, let alone expand development at this scale,” Rinaman said.
Although groundwater sources in the region are limited, current and future water needs could be met until 2040 while maintaining water resources and associated natural systems. according to the Central Florida Water Initiative’s 2020 Comprehensive Regional Water Supply Plan.
This CFWI plan mentions four potential surface water supply projects that could benefit the St. Johns River basin, including the newly approved Grove Land Reservoir and Stormwater Treatment Areafor which $400 million was made available at the beginning of the year.
Rinaman and other advocates have expressed concern that the Grove Land project, in its current form, could have negative impacts on the region’s water resources.
“You have to consider both water quantity and water quality. And in the state of Florida, they go hand in hand,” Rinaman said. “It’s critical that we don’t jeopardize the health of the St. Johns (River) and make sure that any development … is designed to create an environmental boost, not only for the people who live in the area, but for the people downstream.”
Annex context
The Farmland Reserve’s application to annex 52,450 acres to Orlando follows other nearby land expropriations of the district approved by the city earlier this year.
Beginning of the monthOrange County commissioners have submitted a proposed charter amendment to establish a rural boundary, one of eight amendments that county voters can decide on Nov. 5.
In addition, Orange County voters will decide whether or not to increase the county’s current oversight of voluntary incorporations. One ballot item would give county commissioners veto power, among other things.
The City of Orlando, for its part, has not pursued the proposed annexation of the Farmland Reserve, according to a written statement from a city spokesperson, which states, in part:
“One of the unintended consequences of the County’s decision to effectively ban voluntary annexations is that landowners and residents are now faced with accelerating planning efforts they might have undertaken over the next few years in the next few months in order to exercise rights that may be stripped away from them by the proposed amendment to the annexation statute.”
“We would prefer that these decisions were not made in such a tight time frame, but given the circumstances imposed by the county and our obligation to protect the interests of our taxpayers and residents, we must review these requests and make a decision on them before any change to the county charter can take effect.”
In a statement released on Monday Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings expressed his appreciation for the Farmland Reserve and Deseret Ranch management team, saying they have been “responsible landowners” throughout their “long harmonious relationship” with the county.
The statement continues:
“We recognize that this could raise concerns among some property owners if the referendum passes. However, I want our citizens to know that if property owners find the right balance between environmental protection and responsible growth management in a sustainable way that works for everyone, they need not fear Orange County’s vision for growth management.”
