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Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings said the theme for this year’s address was “Investing Boldly and Going Where We’ve Never Gone Before.”
Annabelle Sikes
Orange County mayor delivers 2022 State of the County
Jerry L. Demings highlighted the accomplishments and discussed the future of the county on Friday, June 10, at the Orange County Convention Center.
ANNABELLE SIKES
STAFF WRITER
Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings gave the State of the County address Friday, June 10, from the Linda Chapin Theatre at the Orange County Convention Center.
In his fourth annual address, the mayor highlighted the accomplishments and discussed the future of the county through this year’s theme — “Investing Boldly and Going Where We’ve Never Gone Before.”
Topics ranged from investments and achievements in tourism, small business and entrepreneurs, workforce training, affordable housing, transportation, preservation of the environment, public safety, social and behavioral health issues, and entertainment and culture.
Demings said Orange County’s future is bright.
“We will continue to embrace diversity because everyone deserves the right to be valued and respected,” he said. “We continue to fight for affordable housing because everyone deserves a safe place to live. We will continue to embrace collaboration because there is power in people and partnerships. We will continue to lift up local businesses because our true economic strength lies within them.”
TOURISM
The county’s tourism industry broke another record by collecting $38.5 million in tourist development taxes in March 2022, shattering the previous record of $31.2 million collected in March 2019. In addition, last year Orlando welcomed 59.3 million visitors.
The mayor credited the record to major capital investments by the area’s world-class theme parks and their multi-billion dollar expansion projects.
SMALL BUSINESS AND WORKFORCE TRAINING
In October of last year, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners approved $1.6 million in programming as a catalyst for industry diversification and small business training.
Cenfluence, a Central Florida cluster initiative, established a global network to expand economic opportunities in the area while also connecting small businesses and entrepreneurs with tools for success.
Demings also boasted on the county’s investment of federal funds from the American Rescue Plan Act back into the workforce as employers across the nation have struggled to hire workers.
The mayor noted the impact of CareerSource Central Florida as well as various community partnerships with local schools and businesses.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
As the economy continues to grow in Orange County, so does its population.
Based on the latest 2020 census data, the county’s population increased by 25% between 2010 and 2020 to 1.43 million residents. By December, the numbers are expected to increase to 1.5 million.
Given the new data, the Advisory Committee on Redistricting recommended new commission district boundaries to meet the needs of representation. The County Commission approved the new map in February.
In addition, the County Commission held a conversation on the county’s affordable-housing crisis last week. The board plans to host a special work session later this month to discuss solutions.
Demings said the Housing For All trust fund has invested $33 million in public-private partnerships and provided about $25 million in federal funds to assist more than 4,000 residents with emergency rental assistance. “The time to act is now,” Demings said.
TRANSPORTATION
The Transportation Sales Tax Referendum is set to be on the November ballot.
The Penny Sales Tax is expected to raise $600 million annually with more than half paid by tourists.
If passed, the mayor said east-west connectivity would vastly improve and allow the county to build a true multi-modal transit system, with 45% of the money generated by the tax going to transit, starting with LYNX.
In addition, Demings said 45% of the tax would be used to upgrade major road intersections, improve existing roadways and repave older roads, as well as address bicycle- and pedestrian-safety issues.
Last week, the federal government also announced the awarding of a $15.8 million matching grant to explore the viability of a regional public and private partnership with Brightline for an intercity passenger rail connection between Orlando and Tampa.
ENVIRONMENTAL PRESERVATION Last year, Orange County committed $100 million to purchase 23,000 acres under a program called Green Place. The properties give residents places to
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enjoy the natural environment while also helping to improve its quality.
The Vision 2050 planning is moving forward, with focuses on environmental preservation, community character, transportation needs, diverse housing opportunities and public spaces as guiding principles for future development.
One of the initiatives underway is in West Orange County, where District 1 Commissioner Nicole Wilson is working on the Horizon West Regional Park, an upcoming 215-acre park with bike and pedestrian trails, a playground, picnic pavilions, restrooms, parking, and more. Construction is set to begin later this year.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Demings said funding public safety is a priority and includes the construction of a new public safety communications tower, new fire stations and a new sheriff’s sector building in West Orange.
The corrections department also is focusing its efforts on addressing the opioid pandemic, opening a fully licensed satellite clinic to treat incarcerated individuals with opioid addictions, the first of its kind in the state.
Corrections also recently launched a mental-health program called “New Start,” designed to lead inmates from hardship to healing by providing medication, management education, support and guidance.
The Behavioral Response Unit Co-Responder Model, another new program, also provides assistance by combining trained clinicians with deputies to respond to calls involving those who are experiencing a mental health crisis.
SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
Last year, more than 200 community stakeholders and mental-health providers participated in a gap analysis study in services for mental and behavioral health.
The mayor said he is confident the community can make a difference based on the recommendations from the study, as well as recommendations from the Citizen’s Safety Task Force on preventing and reducing violent crimes and gun violence.
ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE
Demings said 2022 was a banner year for sporting events and the progress will continue in the upcoming years.
The mayor said he is hopeful Orlando will be the site for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Ground broke recently for a new nature and conservation life exhibit at the Orlando Science Center, set to open in late 2023.
In addition, Demings said the county is continuing to work on special events that showcase the broad array of cultures from across the world including events for MLK, veterans and LGBTQ+.
“We have the ability to act now as we prepare for the future,” Demings said. “If not now, then when? If not us, then who?”
Ocoee denies request for assisted-living home
The commission also heard the first reading of an ordinance that would allow residents to operate tourist homes.
ANDREA MUJICA
STAFF WRITER
The Ocoee City Commission denied a variance request for a minor community residential home during its June 7 meeting.
Applicant Amanda Arjune petitioned the commission to consider approving the variance. She purchased the home at 902 Hire Circle, remodeled it and is seeking to open an assisted-living facility.
“We are providing a great asset to the community,” Arjune said. “If I can open this, I’m not causing a problem to the residents. I will be helping them.”
However, Country Comfort Care II Inc. already is an operating community residential home located fewer than 1,000 feet from Arjune’s property.
State statutes include a specific section dedicated to community residential homes: “Homes of six or fewer residents which otherwise meet the definition of a community residential home shall be allowed in single-family or multifamily zoning without approval by the local government, provided that such homes are not located within a radius of 1,000 feet of another existing such home with six or fewer residents or within a radius of 1,200 feet of another existing community residential home.”
Several residents from the community addressed the commission, requesting that the petition for approval of the variance be denied.
“I live next door to the house in question,” one resident said. “I don’t think it’s appropriate to have another business within our neighborhood.”
“We as a community should have a say in the matter,” resident Audrey Ais said. “This is a business, and I don’t want a business in the community.”
Commissioner Rosemary Wilsen, who represents District 2 — where the community being discussed is located — supported the Florida statutes.
“There’s a rule: a thousand feet — (it’s) as simple as that,” she said. “These residents already have one assisted-living in their neighborhood. It is one neighborhood, split by a street, but it is one HOA. They already have one facility. A thousand feet is a thousand feet, assisted-living has to adhere to state law. Why should we as a city say, ‘You don’t have to?’ There are other neighborhoods. I have other group homes in my district that are a thousand feet from (one another). I think we as a commission have to adhere to what is set before us, and that is a thousand feet, no exceptions.”
The variance was denied unanimously. Commissioner George Oliver was not present at the meeting.
VACATION HOMES
The commission also heard the first reading of ordinance for the Land Development Code Amendment to Article II, Section 2-4, and Article V, Section 5-15, relating to tourist homes.Recently, the city has been experiencing a higher influx of property owners and investors wanting to operate vacation rental units within the city limits.
The proposed amendments to Article II are as follows: clarify the existing definition of tourist home and create two new definitions — those of ‘transient guest’ and ‘vacation and short-term rental.’ In relation to the proposed amendments to Article V, these include: identification of a responsible party, clarification of existing parking requirements, and building and fire safety inspections.
IN OTHER NEWS
n In recognition of small cities — those with a population of under 50,000 that constitute the vast majority of municipalities across the Unites States, Ocoee City Mayor Rusty Johnson read a proclamation declaring June 2022 as Small Cities Month.
n Jazlyn Heywood addressed the commission regarding the Turnpike Widening PD&E Study preferred alternative pertaining to the areas involving the city of Ocoee. City staff previously has met three times with Florida’s Turnpike representatives to discuss possible alternatives. The Florida Department of Transportation believes adding four collector distributor lanes on the north and southbound sides of the turnpike is the best viable option. However, city staff believes the proposed lanes would result in a loss of development viability. The proposed project would have no direct financial impact on the city but instead would potentially impact its future increment revenues.
n The commission approved a second variance relating to the vacation of the western 97.5 feet of an existing 5-foot utility easement located along the south property line of Lot 13 of Jordana Hills. All affected utility companies were notified, and no objection letters were received. Approval of the variance was contingent of the approval of the future variance request related to the driveway in question.
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TOWN OF OAKLAND NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ANNEXATION OF .42 ACRES
The Town of Oakland will hold a public hearing and proposes to adopt an ordinance to annex property located at 17987 State Road 438, Oakland, Florida, containing approximately .42 acres, as follows:
ORDINANCE 2022-12 AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF OAKLAND, FLORIDA, ANNEXING BY VOLUNTARY PETITION CERTAIN REAL PROPERTY OWNED BY LONDON CENTRAL LLC BEARING PROPERTY TAX PARCEL IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS 30-22-27-0000-00-003, 3022-27-0000-00-039 AND 30-22-27-0000-00-032 WITH ADDRESSES OF 17987 AND 17979 STATE ROAD 438, AND LOCATED CONTIGUOUS TO THE TOWN OF OAKLAND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE VOLUNTARY ANNEXATION PROVISIONS OF SECTION 171.044, FLORIDA STATUTES, AND OTHER CONTROLLING LAW; REDEFINING THE BOUNDARIES OF THE TOWN OF OAKLAND TO INCLUDE SAID PROPERTY; PROVIDING FOR FINDINGS; PROVIDING FOR CONDITIONS; DIRECTING THE TOWN CLERK TO RECORD THE ORDINANCE WITH THE CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT, WITH THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER OF ORANGE COUNTY AND WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE; PROVIDING FOR LEGAL DESCRIPTION AND A MAP; REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR NONCODIFICATION AND THE TAKING OF ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIONS AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
General Site Description: Approximately 1.9 acres, located at 17987 and 17979 State Road 438, in Orange County, Florida just north of the Killarney Trailhead. Location Map:
Public hearing will be held on the request as follows:
OAKLAND TOWN COMMISSION
DATE: Tuesday, June 28, 2022 WHERE: Town Meeting Hall, 221 N. Arrington Street, Oakland, FL WHEN: 7:00 P.M. or VIRTUALLY: See Join Zoom Meeting Instructions below
All hearings are open to the public however attendance inside the Oakland Meeting Hall may be limited to accommodate social distancing. Any interested party is invited to offer comments about this request at the public hearing or in advance by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, June 27, 2022, in writing to the Town of Oakland, PO Box 98, Oakland FL 34760, or by e-mail to ehui@oaklandfl.gov. A copy of the request can be inspected at the Town Hall. Any party appealing a land use decision made at a public hearing must ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which includes the evidence and testimony that is the basis of the appeal. The time and/or location of public hearings are subject to change. Changes are announced at the initial scheduled hearing. Notice of any changes will not be published or mailed. Any person needing special accommodations to attend a public hearing must contact Elise Hui, Town Clerk, at 407-656-1117 x 2110, at least 24 hours before the meeting. This meeting will be held as an in-person meeting and attendees may also attend virtually through the Zoom Platform. Instructions below will allow you to join the meeting virtually: Topic: June 28th Town Commission Hybrid Regular Meeting (In-person and Zoom) Time: June 28, 2022, 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85486648866 Meeting ID: 854 8664 8866 Passcode: 4qYquz
