Chuluota Road Agricultural Enclave Public Hearing (updated date)

Orange County has received an application involving property generally known as Chuluota Road in District 5. The applicant has asked the Orange County Board of County Commissioners to certify the property as an Agricultural Enclave under Florida law (known as Senate Bill 686).

The public hearing is scheduled for 2 p.m. Tuesday, September 29^th at BCC Chambers, 201 S. Rosalind Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801.

What is an Agricultural Enclave?

An Agricultural Enclave is a special designation created by Florida law for certain undeveloped agricultural land that meets specific requirements related to its location, ownership, agricultural use, surrounding development, availability of public services, and acreage.

Certification would not approve a specific subdivision, site plan, or construction project. However, if the property is certified, the owner may subsequently submit applications for residential development in accordance with the process established by Florida law. Any such applications would be subject to additional reviews and approvals required by state law and the Orange County Code.

Why is Orange County processing this request?

Florida law allows a property owner to apply for Agricultural Enclave certification and requires the County to:

Review the application and prepare a written report evaluating whether it satisfies the statutory criteria;
Conduct a public hearing before the Board of County Commissioners to consider the application; and
Approve or deny the requested certification within the timeframes established by state law.

If the Board does not approve or deny the application within 90 days after receiving the application, Florida law requires the parcels to be certified as an Agricultural Enclave. Accordingly, Orange County is required to process the application and conduct the public hearing in accordance with the statutory procedures. The County did not initiate this request.

Public Hearing

At the hearing, the Board will consider the application, the County’s written report, information presented by the applicant, and public comments before determining whether the application satisfies the statutory requirements for Agricultural Enclave certification.

The hearing is limited to determining whether the property qualifies for Agricultural Enclave certification under Florida law.

Residents and other interested persons may attend the hearing and provide comments in accordance with the Board’s public-comment procedures.

Development Program

There is no development program at this time. If approved, Agricultural Enclave certification would allow the property owner to later submit plans for single-family residential development at a density equivalent to one or more adjacent properties or an adjacent development, as provided by Florida law.

Certification alone would not approve a specific subdivision or authorize immediate construction, but state law would require the proposed residential use to be treated as allowed even if it differs from the property’s current Future Land Use designation or zoning. Detailed development plans, engineering reviews, and applicable permits would still be required before development could occur. Orange County staff is not in a position to provide analysis or information on a potential development program due to ongoing review of the Florida law.