Orange County commissioners weigh options for The Grow

Judge's ruling puts proposed Lake Pickett development in limbo

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – The Orange County Board of Commissioners is weighing its options after a judge's recent recommendation against a proposed housing development in Lake Pickett.

On Aug. 11, an administrative law judge labeled the project known as "The Grow" as inconsistent with the county's regulations.

Based on that recommendation, District 5 Commissioner Emily Bonilla called on commissioners Tuesday to discuss rescinding the board's approval of the project.

In 2016, the board voted 4-3 in favor of the development. Since then, Bonilla, who opposes the project, was elected to the seat formerly occupied by Ted Edwards, who voted in favor of it.

"We have to ask, 'When is enough enough?' Help me offer some peace of mind to this community," Bonilla said to commissioners Tuesday.

Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs, who voted against the project, said the board must follow a legal process in deciding what to do next about the recent recommendation.

"I have to support a system and a process that is consistent with the law," Jacobs said.  "We are midstream right now, we do not have a final decision."

Jacobs said a decision about the recommendation is in the hands of Gov. Rick Scott and his Cabinet.

The board may file exceptions to the order, but that is something that would need to be filed by Aug. 28.

Jacobs asked the county's attorney to investigate the board's legal options and will hear those recommendations at a board meeting Tuesday afternoon.

Stay with News 6 for more information on this developing story.


About the Author:

Mark Lehman became a News 6 reporter in July 2014, but he's been a Central Florida journalist and part of the News 6 team for much longer. While most people are fast asleep in their bed, Mark starts his day overnight by searching for news on the streets of Central Florida.

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