ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Orange County commissioners approved a controversial new district map Tuesday that will create two new districts and separate the historically Black communities of Pine Hills and Eatonville from the more affluent city of Winter Park.
The redistricting plan, which takes effect next year, marks a significant shift in local representation as the growing county adapts to population changes.
Under the new map, Pine Hills and Eatonville will have their own dedicated county commissioner, while Winter Park will share representation with Bithlo and other less developed areas in eastern Orange County.
“We want a person that’s going to help us build Eatonville, Pine Hills, and the other areas... the whole District 7, all together,” said Felicia Hunter, a Pine Hills homeowner who supports the change.
Hunter emphasized the distinct needs of different communities, noting, “Pine Hills has different concerns than Winter Park. In Winter Park, they’re homeowners. Most people in Pine Hills don’t own their home.”
Jasmine Burney-Clark, founder of Equal Ground, a Black-led civic engagement organization, called the new district map a victory for historically underrepresented communities.
“Pine Hills now has the power to elect the candidate of their choice, someone that truly will reflect their values, someone that will truly represent them and prioritize them as residents,” Burney-Clark said.
The plan faced opposition from Winter Park city leaders, who advocated for an alternative map that would have maintained their connection with Pine Hills and Eatonville. They argue their urban issues align more closely with these communities than with the rural areas they’ll now share a district with.
“We want to see SunRail, which goes right through Winter Park, go to the airport, go to the theme parks. We want to work to reduce traffic congestion, environmental concerns. We can’t do that if we’re in another district,” said Winter Park City Commissioner Warren Lindsey in front of the County Commission on Tuesday.
Despite the opposition, the new districts will be implemented next year. Advocates like Burney-Clark see this as an overdue change for community representation.
“It is long past time for them to have the power that they need at the county level that is not totally absorbed by other communities,” she said. “They really can shape this seat and the person they want to have representing them and the ways that they choose.”