County Commission approves Disney plan

Despite objections from the Horizon West community, Walt Disney World received the final approval needed to move forward with its affordable-housing project at the Orange County Board of County Commissioners meeting Oct. 8.

After nearly two hours of discussion and an abundance of public comment, commissioners approved the project 6-1, with District 1 Commissioner Nicole Wilson dissenting. 

Wilson urged the board to postpone the decision, arguing it was unfair to ask residents in the community to choose between preparing for the approaching Hurricane Milton and driving about 30 miles to downtown Orlando to have their voices heard. She said the majority of people who spoke in support of the project did not live in the Horizon West area. 

“I am concerned about the timing of this, and I continue to be,” she said. “I wanted to make sure that the residents were focused on storm prep. For me, a public hearing is public, and if we are telling the public to please spend the day, if you have time, preparing and making sure your family is secure, then they are not going to be able to participate in the public hearing. … I really wanted to continue this so that the public can be part of a public hearing, because there continues to be trust issues with this case. 

“We didn’t allow public comment at the last community meeting,” Wilson said. “And then the team was more comfortable meeting virtually, which is fine, but it still doesn’t provide the public-comment period that should be required any time that we do something to our future land use. … If you truly want to be a good neighbor and truly want them to be part of this project, then allow us to have an actual public hearing.”

ONGOING OBJECTIONS

Disney announced its plans to bring a new affordable-housing development to Southwest Orange in April 2022. The housing is being constructed in partnership with The Michaels Organization, the developer selected to build, own and operate the project.

The proposed parcel sits on 114.23 acres on Hartzog Road, bounded by Hartzog to the north and east, and State Road 545 to the west. 

Applicant Kathy Hattaway, of Walt Disney Imagineering, originally requested to develop up to 1,410 apartments in the area. The number of units since has been reduced to 1,369.

The applicant’s request is to amend the Future Land Use Map to apply the Village FLUM designation through the expansion of the Village H boundary. 

The concurrent request includes rezoning the land to Planned Development District and to assign Horizon West Special Land Use Map designation of Apartment District. The property currently is zoned Reedy Creek Improvement District.

As a condition of approval for the project, at least 75% of the apartment homes must be available for rent to residents earning between 50% and 100% of the median family income for the Orlando area, a figure calculated to be $90,400 by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. That means a one-bedroom apartment for a household earning $45,200, or half the median family income, would rent for $823 per month, and a two-bedroom unit would rent for $988, according to figures provided to commissioners by county staff.

Households earning 100% of AMI would pay $1,647 for a one-bedroom unit and $1,977 for a two-bedroom apartment.

The county hosted two community meetings — one in September 2023 and a second in March 2024 — where many residents raised concerns about traffic and transportation, school capacity, location, and affordability and attainability.

Months of conversations relating to the project came to a head at a County Commission meeting shortly after the second community meeting. 

After several hours of discussion, the commission voted to move the project forward with a 4-2 vote.

Mayor Jerry L. Demings was the one to make the motion to transmit the housing plan to the state for review, a mandatory step in the approval process.

Wilson and Commissioner Emily Bonilla voted no to Disney’s request. Both commissioners asked for a delay so more information could be gathered. 

The Orange County Planning and Zoning Commission voted 5-1 Sept. 19 to move the project forward to the County Commission.

At the P&Z meeting, Brian Forster, LandDesign Orlando, spoke on the changes the project leaders have made since hearing the community feedback, including decreasing the number of units and consolidating the buildings for increased open space. The developer will use the two additional acres fronting Avalon Road to construct a community park, which will be open to the public.

Mohammed Abdallah, traffic mobility consultant, said a traffic signal with a crosswalk — which includes dedicated left-and-right turn lanes into the property — and a new median opening on Avalon Road is warranted and will help facilitate interconnectivity between the community and adjacent retail. 

In addition, The Michaels Organization will pay millions in impact fees to be used for infrastructure updates.

Representatives from both The Michaels Organization and Disney gave updates on the project, answered questions submitted by residents, and opened the conversation up for additional comments and questions.

Although residents in attendance thanked the organizations for allowing community feedback and answering questions, many still voiced opposition. 

Horizon West resident Sarah Hibbs even created a petition against the project, which gained hundreds of signatures. 

FIGHTING TO THE END

“Disney is trying to help their neighbors,” said Julie Kendig-Schrader, with the applicant representing Greenberg Traurig. “Disney is trying to help the teachers, the police officers, the grocery store workers, the hospitality workers and folks who are just starting out in their career, the people who our community depend on every day to make sure they have a safe and affordable place to live. We know that this is an important initiative to the board, and you all have been taking bold action to make it happen. … We’re here to contribute to this effort by bringing forward an innovative and, in this situation, private solution without requesting funding or impact fees waivers … We’re proud to be bringing this project forward.”

Stephen Lewis, president of the West Orange Chamber of Commerce, and several other members of the West Orange County community spoke in favor of the project. 

“Currently, many of the businesses that we represent are struggling to recruit and retain workers due to limited supply of affordable and attainable housing in the area,” Lewis said. “Ensuring affordable housing is available for our workforce is critical to the success of our county and will help develop, grow and sustain small businesses. Orange County has a significant affordable housing need, and it’s commendable to see its largest employer invest in increasing the quality and quantity of living options for our region’s workforce.”

However, most attendees, majority Horizon West residents, spoke in opposition of the project. 

“I have used the word ‘infrastructure’ more in the last six months than I ever have in my entire life,” resident James Belts said. “Why? Because we don’t have it. We come here to voice our objections to the current location of the project but are basically ignored by this group. What is insane is that the solution to this problem is just a mile down the road. … For access, amenities and safety, Flamingo Crossings is a much better choice. Please consider the option.”

Horizon West resident Patrick Ferguson also spoke in opposition, as well as voiced his disdain for the commission’s decision to continue to host the public hearing despite the approaching hurricane. Ferguson and other local residents said a lot of people in the community wanted to attend the meeting but were not able to because of preparation before the hurricane. 

“I originally was coming here today to talk about safety, infrastructure and environmental concerns, but unfortunately, I’m talking about the fact that we’re standing here discussing a land use case instead of preparing for a hurricane,” he said. “Whether you support or oppose this project, it is very clear that Orange County does not wish to hear from or respect District 1 opinions."