Backers of mega-development in east Orange seek shake-up of county commission
Sharpening the battle lines over growth in November’s elections, developers who couldn’t convince the Orange County Commission in January to back their plan for 1,800 homes on ranchland east of the Econ River have invested big sums in campaigns to oust two commissioners who opposed them.
CHGC Land Services — which lists the same Texas address as Lake Pickett North, LLC, developer of the project known as Sustanee — gave thousands in an effort to defeat District 1 Commissioner Nicole Wilson and District 3 Commissioner Mayra Uribe. They also are opposing Kelly Semrad, whom outgoing District 5 Commissioner Emily Bonilla endorsed as her replacement.
Wilson, Uribe and Bonilla joined the bare majority on the seven-member commission to say no to Sustanee. District 4 Commissioner Maribel Gomez Cordero, the fourth no vote, is not on the ballot.
All six of the candidates running for three seats on the commission this November have advocated the need for Orange County to grow more slowly, but builders including Lake Pickett North and others are choosing sides as they seek the most sympathetic ears. Voters will also consider a pair of measures to limit growth-inducing land annexations to cities and establish protective boundaries around the county’s rural areas — making the pace of development the leading issue on the local ballot.
https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2024/11/02/backers-of-mega-development-in-east-orange-seek-shake-up-of-county-commission/