82 square miles of wetlands, scrub, flatwoods, and ranchland in Orange County are at risk of losing critical wetland and development protections. We need your voice: Write to the Orlando City Council and tell them to vote “no” to annexing more than 52,000 acres of Deseret Ranch.
What’s happening?
The vast land holdings of Deseret Ranch in eastern Orange and Osceola counties have been steadily progressing toward development. Importantly, referenda on the Orange County ballot this November could establish limits on the area’s development, protecting water quality, wetlands, and critical wildlife habitat from sprawl.
In a rush to avoid these restrictions, Deseret has petitioned the Orlando City Council to annex 82 square miles of land filled with pristine wetlands, scrub habitat, and longleaf pine in the easternmost portions of Orange County. This and other recent planned annexations will more than double the size of the city.
Why?
Annexation would remove this 82 square-mile area from Orange County’s more protective comprehensive plan, as well as its wetlands and land development regulations, and instead hold them to city’s regulations. Orlando’s regulations are designed for urban land use proposals and are less equipped to protect wetlands, water supply, and wildlife habitat interests of this significance.
What can we do?
While change may be coming to Deseret’s lands, it is of critical importance to the City of Orlando that water supply, flood protection, and wildlife habitat connectivity are preserved as much as possible. At this time, there isn’t even any staff summary of data or analysis of the implications for council members to consider. A decision of this magnitude must be well informed and should not be made in haste.
Orlando City Council may consider this annexation proposal at a first hearing as early as September 23.
Use your voice!
Audubon Florida urges Mayor Buddy Dyer and Orlando City Council members to deny this petition. Lend your voice to these vulnerable resources here. |
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