In five races, Orange County voters can choose sides in the fight over growth

In five key contests that are sparking incendiary debate, local voters face decisions on the November ballot that will help answer a critical question for Central Florida’s future: How will Orange County grow?

Two proposed amendments to the county’s governing document could impose stricter control over development on rural lands. High-profile races for seats on the Board of County Commissioners could tilt the balance of power toward environmentalist-supported or builder-backed candidates once votes are tallied on Nov. 5.

“This is for all the marbles,” said Chuck O’Neal, a longtime Central Florida environmentalist. “I’ve lived in Orange County off and on since 1961 and I don’t think there’s any election that has higher stakes than this one.”

By far the region’s most populated and most intensely developed county, Orange has been growing at a breakneck pace in recent decades, though it still retains large expanses of undeveloped and lightly developed land.


https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2024/09/29/in-five-races-orange-county-voters-can-choose-sides-in-the-fight-over-growth/