[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6640996,"mediaKeyId","2547406-f1a1fcd02210ecdf3770f93b254fc420","parentId",2547406,"title","Orange County updates Timberscan response; residents press for housing help and clarity","audioSeconds",5603,"startMs",1686000,"endMs",7289000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2547406-f1a1fcd02210ecdf3770f93b254fc420&start=1686&end=7289","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2547406-f1a1fcd02210ecdf3770f93b254fc420/thumbnail_1686000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6640996/Orange-County/Florida/Orange-County-updates-Timberscan-response-residents-press-for-housing-help-and-clarity","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6640996-b846bf85f91f18437e465e43c8fb847e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150871&Signature=c82QarS-jHFi8sUyXHRD6vLASk2oG9TzUtQy3vN-b13y3ghtx4N650OAgqWaaF8I7dgAUKXi7V7gG-WW~C6BIL3XlB6oYAD0PSCkG2oZyHeJzc-erL0iUYtv8zgO26vQy3AXuAFpukthXayGlF0Wf-yjQC9XJD5LXhRv76IdDjleVvYwPeZB5ZOyKTEA5SuTFriYTpxV~p1UGbajhCfv7vXO1j2BoBnyDSdyiNkTB25kzyLDTOQLktjmKJOZHFzDPBg4xJ0LPJqyfMHqGh2lJ2hLTl-LRsnvDoY58HVS0Cu7ZZCBf1YD12jaCDX5h-sI4ZSESiz0QZRnTdRPSzwa-g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Orange County","date","2025-03-11T21:04:10.52Z","article","Orange County staff presented an update on March 11, 2025, on conditions and possible long-term solutions for Timberscan on the Lake, a 320‑unit condominium complex that county officials say has been declining since the 1990s due to mismanagement, storm damage and foreclosures. The county emphasized it was not taking immediate action to remove residents and said any formal steps would be preceded by a year or more of planning and resident assistance.

Why it matters: Timberscan has repeatedly drawn county attention for fires, structural decay, unpaid utility and association accounts, dumping and public-safety hazards that have affected nearby neighborhoods. The property is already substantially demolished — staff said roughly 84% of buildings have been removed — and Orange County now owns a significant share of condo units. Commissioners, nearby homeowners and many residents testified publicly during the meeting that they want a solution that protects residents while ending blight.

County briefing and staff recommendations
Jason Reynolds, neighborhood services manager, summarized the county’s work since the Board first discussed Timberscan in January. He said the county has invested roughly $3.5 million in stabilization and demolition over the last decade and that staff reviewed three broad options: continue the status quo (monitoring and targeted enforcement), pursue foreclosure sales, or pursue equitable relief/receivership and a sale to a redeveloper. Reynolds told the board that staff believes “terminating the condo association [and] the receivership is the only long‑term solution to the unsafe and precarious living conditions there.”

Yvette Reyes, manager of the Citizen Resource and Outreach Division, described the county’s resident assistance plan: case managers are canvassing the site, assessing household needs and offering relocation services. She said staff identified approximately 56 standing condo units, of which two are county‑owned, and that five of the units still carry homestead exemptions. Reyes also told the board that real‑estate appraisals of five currently‑standing units found an initial average value of about $65,000 each — an appraisal figure staff offered as a reference point for potential owner‑occupant acquisitions.

What residents and local leaders said
Dozens of residents, property owners and neighborhood leaders spoke in public comment. Some residents said they want the county to buy owner‑occupied units and guarantee relocations without mortgages; others — including owners and investor landlords — asked to be allowed to sell. Speakers described ongoing safety concerns, open dumping, frequent crime and a history of management breakdowns. Several speakers asked the board to preserve public engagement and to keep the process transparent. Commissioner Michael Scott, who represents the district that includes Timberscan, said the board will not make a final decision during the March 11 session and pledged more community meetings and individualized briefings.

County findings and next steps
Staff told the board the property is fragmented: some portions retain functioning homeowners’ associations and dues collection attempts; other sections are delinquent and pursuing foreclosure. Staff reported 41 demolitions to date across the property and said one last unsafe building could be demolished after the county offers relocation assistance to any occupants. The county outlined a preferred path that would include:
- Continuing resident assessments and case management in the short term;
- Purchasing owner‑occupied units when approved by the board to create certainty for those households; and
- If needed, initiating equitable relief to dissolve condo governance and using a receiver to manage a sale and redevelopment that could take a year or longer.

Staff emphasized several limits: the county is not attempting to “buy the property” as a single parcel, is not forcibly evicting lawful residents, and said some issues (for example, certain utility rules) depend on third parties. Reynolds said staff will return with a recommended strategy in early summer 2025.

What to watch next
Residents told the board they want firm timelines and clear information about relocation assistance, the fate of liens and whether owner‑occupants will be offered buyouts. Commissioners asked staff to continue one‑on‑one meetings, to document options for owner acquisitions, and to involve legal services as residents retain counsel. The board urged patience, but several commissioners said they expect the county to move from assessment to action on a timetable that addresses both immediate public‑safety risks and residents’ housing needs.

Ending note
County staff said the process to sell and redevelop the property — if chosen — could take at least a year, creating time for case managers to assist residents. The board’s next formal review and possible direction on this matter is expected in early summer 2025.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Orange County Board of County Commissioners Meeting | March 11, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Orange County staff briefed the Board of County Commissioners on March 11 about persistent code, safety and housing problems at Timberscan on the Lake and described a plan of resident outreach, possible owner‑occupant purchases and a long‑term option to dissolve condominium governance and place the property in receivership for sale and redevelopment.","taxTitle","Orange County, Florida","taxId",2866,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6640978,"Votes at a glance: Orange County Board actions on March 11, 2025",11682,3653000,15335000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2547406-f1a1fcd02210ecdf3770f93b254fc420&start=3653&end=15335","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2547406-f1a1fcd02210ecdf3770f93b254fc420/thumbnail_3653000.jpg","/articles/6640978/Orange-County/Florida/Votes-at-a-glance-Orange-County-Board-actions-on-March-11-2025","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6640978-e914049c1e1fcd702ba4b57d8a21476b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150871&Signature=IpdunCfCyklZkGOSGgQjDuiZy-Ny-gpswohAUAmg3c5oEuiYfQVReL-BBknn2Gxteok0I1~XKDuQIHEqPrfvVbcbuwFm0P8WQrNACSE1CMBhvT0L7LSrC9WHc4weruAc6udeV77XayHr1SL6EVrhjMxoLDBCq3nORY9dHYCrYAmgQ-plk--h81vaOT63xRNJHHBvKHPzFVA2RXte3ynaMMXYAXYrZoCzWuR8WCWLBCmoTaJQYV3Cn59xC8-h-1SQCEEBMgctErb4dwD0MadxTnTlC4vWRlUvKfpeeWq8df9GAqB4fAc~l7NLXkUE7PyrniBCs1d7RMcWTwnfyv1nCA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Below are the principal formal actions recorded on March 11, 2025. This summary lists the item, the motion outcome, and key details the board recorded during the meeting. For each item, staff and the minutes should be consulted for the full record.

Consent agenda
- Motion: Approve remainder of the consent agenda (two items were pulled for later hearings). Outcome: Approved unanimously. Noted actions within consent included the acquisition of two adjoining park parcels (200.00 and 162.76 acres) and a 2.33‑acre parcel to expand ecological corridors in East Orange County; and acceptance of an Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG RUSH) allocation to fund homeless prevention and rapid rehousing programs.

MSBUs and assessments (agenda A1–A7) — approved (individual votes recorded on the consent calendar)
- A1: Establish Flora Gardens MSBU for street lighting (72 lots); assessment $241 per lot (effective 2025‑11‑01). Outcome: approved.
- A2: Establish Franklin Heights MSBU (22 lots); assessment $69 per lot (effective 2025‑11‑01). Outcome: approved.
- A3: Establish Harrow Oaks MSBU for street lighting and retention pond maintenance (63 lots); street lighting $166/lot, pond maintenance $78/lot (effective 2025‑11‑01). Outcome: approved.
- A4: Establish Horizon Isle MSBU for street lighting and retention pond maintenance (52 lots); street lighting $132/lot, pond maintenance $78/lot (effective 2025‑11‑01). Outcome: approved.
- A5: Amend International Drive extension MSBU to include Caribe Royale; assessment $4 per front foot (effective 2025‑11‑01). Outcome: approved.
- A6: Establish Lake Pleasant Estates MSBU for street lighting (District 2). Outcome: approved.
- A7: Establish Lake Sheen Sound MSBU for street lighting and retention pond maintenance (14 lots); street lighting $352/lot, pond maintenance $78/lot (effective 2025‑11‑01). Outcome: approved.

Permits and planning actions
- B8 (SADF2410023): Shoreline alteration permit for a 75‑foot riprap revetment at 5752 Moonlight Circle, Lake Jessamine; EPD recommended approval subject to conditions and a hold‑harmless agreement because the revetment is waterward of the normal high. Outcome: approved unanimously.

- Planning and zoning commission recommendations (rezoning items from Feb. 20): Commission recommended approval of seven conventional rezoning cases; BCC approved the PCC recommendations, except RZ2501051 (Thompson Road) was pulled for separate hearing. Outcome: approved (with one item pulled for later hearing).

- C10 (OrangeWood N1 PD amendment): Applicant requested revised entitlements (office and 300 multi‑family units). Action: continued at applicant’s request to April 8, 2025.

- C11 (Hiwassee Lake Shores PD amendment): Applicant requested increased commercial square footage and removal of a prohibited use; public comment raised questions about the origin of prior prohibitions and the board continued the item to April 8, 2025 for additional review.

- C12 / F2 (Quadrangle PD amendment and related DRI amendment): Approved. The amendment allows conversion of unused hotel/office entitlements to campus student housing on the specified parcels, plus associated waivers for reduced parking ratios and limited building projection exceptions. Outcome: approved unanimously.

Other notable actions
- D13: Tiny Road corridor: Board approved staff’s preferred corridor improvements (two lanes, raised median, roundabouts, 10‑foot shared‑use trails, drainage basins). Outcome: approved unanimously.

- E14 / C1 (Procurement thresholds): The Board voted to amend the procurement ordinance to refer numeric contract approval limits to administrative regulation and approved a related administrative regulation setting the board‑approval threshold at exceeding $500,000 and an amendment cap (10% or $100,000 greater) — passed 6‑1 (Commissioner Simrad voted no). Outcome: approved 6‑1.

How to find more detail
Each item appears in the official meeting minutes and in the board packet. For zoning/PD and permit matters, the Planning & Zoning and Environmental Protection Division staff reports (names and case numbers are in the agenda booklet) provide conditions of approval and plat/permitting requirements.","Summary of formal actions taken by the Orange County Board of County Commissioners at the March 11, 2025 meeting, including consent approvals, MSBU formations, permits, zoning amendments and the procurement ordinance change.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6640983,"Orange County receives regional diamond award after updating wetlands code; county touts strengthened protections",225,1084000,1309000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2547406-f1a1fcd02210ecdf3770f93b254fc420&start=1084&end=1309","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2547406-f1a1fcd02210ecdf3770f93b254fc420/thumbnail_1084000.jpg","/articles/6640983/Orange-County/Florida/Orange-County-receives-regional-diamond-award-after-updating-wetlands-code-county-touts-strengthened-protections","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6640983-f6008547d611b8bede61e23197841156/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150871&Signature=Z1SQVOQwp9iIXlWxPR7oBtBiBNdCiir0WTPHUtbzLilNas8X~pLIBcoyTZA1zKAjQStP2QijwM9cpOgKlnHEXzGYC8RRRbIWBfGVGpUeRPyeWtuww915zkBd9v1zQlYu923NToaxiu6EY34hv6QNvXZIgsrigAGKmlseJ8GiT6CO09PkCuHEgXrrJJ0VWT8dhAJh2oMhChWi4HsuIZDuw5KZ6Z~WbQOb9-UGC-1vIajElXP5XuF1cVKOhdcDsQ3qo0qJWA2ueSrImqUBZIzLuI-hlE3MIBpu-YJjjAY15~xYVKH3RmHWG3uUjxQY2yfBH3qWWHML24ODfGboYJa9ag__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Orange County officials and staff accepted a 2025 Diamond Award from the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council on March 11, recognizing the county’s recent update to its wetland and surface‑water protection ordinance.

What county officials said
Tim Hall, environmental programs administrator, told the Board of County Commissioners the revised ordinance replaced a 35‑year‑old code and incorporated scientific studies and stakeholder input gathered over nearly three years. Hall described key provisions including a tiered permitting system, new mitigation monitoring and “a 100‑foot upland buffer on preserved wetlands and water bodies.” He said the code was designed to reduce wetland loss, support water quality and advance sustainability while balancing development and property rights.

Why it matters
County leaders framed the update as a measurable strengthening of local environmental protections and a multi‑year, cross‑discipline effort that responds to regional water‑resource concerns. The updated code will affect permitting for projects near regulated wetlands and will require revised mitigation and monitoring plans where impacts are approved.

Award and context
Mayor Jerry L. Demings and commissioners joined staff in accepting the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council Diamond Award in the Conservation and Countryside category. The award citation specifically recognized the county’s work updating the wetlands code and the Environmental Protection Division’s leadership on the project.

Next steps
County staff said office‑level rulemaking, training for reviewers and continued stakeholder outreach will follow to ensure consistent application of the new code.","County environmental staff accepted the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council Diamond Award for revisions to the Orange County wetland and surface‑water protections, which include a 100‑foot upland buffer and tiered permitting.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6640987,"Board advances Tiny Road parkway plan with roundabouts, separated trails and safety upgrades",804,13040000,13844000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2547406-f1a1fcd02210ecdf3770f93b254fc420&start=13040&end=13844","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2547406-f1a1fcd02210ecdf3770f93b254fc420/thumbnail_13040000.jpg","/articles/6640987/Orange-County/Florida/Board-advances-Tiny-Road-parkway-plan-with-roundabouts-separated-trails-and-safety-upgrades","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6640987-0bb5f4b02a4647337c9435353c6cc21a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150871&Signature=YYqhCwpZv~O9zyepYlUAM-QB4~AXWmt4l2MgKDqmNCjj3Kou9Lmb5Hj3J038efNn9YLhc8kcOt598RNrVAj5-0xN-0K8Peq9dergvwsta8ceuPL16FoQHznu7Dz0T-VAIXDDYyyFQSFYiH2m8OqQ1QsRjoLGEWAzrL0Rn6jM8xBPXXMFpVcdejTf5EAAN~WqLdw9AhLOJVnJVk5MjUZn6Mxo~aAgNkd3UyrWkaMbgzWg02PqE-qwM5F7gxOqnMLp6X5l9qQ8ZRJUUFGfnmfCW9VSl47rmA1aXgJacWk72ITo1RZt8N~W5Nguils-ztCwBliFVSqpKgCtxVyp695tsw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Orange County Board of County Commissioners approved a recommended design and funding plan for the Tiny Road corridor on March 11, 2025, endorsing a package of roadway, pedestrian and drainage improvements intended to reduce crash risk, improve visibility and add a 10‑foot shared use path on both sides of the corridor.

Project basics and findings
Transportation staff said Tiny Road — currently a two‑lane paved road with flush shoulders and several steep hills — serves growing Horizon West subdivisions, recreational facilities and schools. Staff noted constrained sight distance on multiple approaches, a history of crashes on specific segments, and substantial projected traffic growth in the planning horizon. The project recommended adding two 11‑foot travel lanes, a 22‑foot raised median with mountable aprons for emergency access, and 10‑foot shared‑use trails on both sides of the corridor. The plan also includes roundabouts at key intersections, pedestrian hybrid beacons near school crossings, traffic‑calming measures and a multi‑basin stormwater plan coordinated across two water‑management districts.

Cost and environmental notes
Staff identified a recommended option with an estimated construction cost of approximately $26.5 million. The project will require careful environmental permitting: the west side of the corridor includes conservation land and recharge basins that could host protected‑species habitat. Staff said the next design steps will include required species surveys and coordination with the St. Johns River and South Florida water‑management districts.

Public engagement and next steps
County staff described outreach with homeowners’ associations, school officials and library/park stakeholders; staff said neighborhoods preferred higher‑quality landscaping and that some HOAs volunteered to assume future maintenance of planting strips. Commissioners unanimously approved the staff recommendation and asked transportation staff to proceed with design, permitting and coordinated funding steps. Construction timing depends on design approvals and permitting; staff said interim safety measures already in place include additional signage and raised pavement markers in the worst visibility zones.

Why it matters
Tiny Road improvements aim to address an active safety issue for schoolchildren, trail users and commuters in a rapidly growing part of the county. The project emphasizes multimodal access and is designed to connect to the Horizon West Trail and local parks and libraries.","After public meetings, the board approved a multi‑million dollar plan to convert Tiny Road into a two‑lane parkway with a raised median, separated trails, pedestrian crossings and drainage upgrades to improve safety around schools and the Horizon West area.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":80,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6640991,"Orange County raises board‑approval threshold for contracts; new limits shift to administrative rule",3808,11527000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2547406-f1a1fcd02210ecdf3770f93b254fc420&start=11527&end=15335","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2547406-f1a1fcd02210ecdf3770f93b254fc420/thumbnail_11527000.jpg","/articles/6640991/Orange-County/Florida/Orange-County-raises-boardapproval-threshold-for-contracts-new-limits-shift-to-administrative-rule","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6640991-7ffac7296f0a948cf549160aeb041b2d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150871&Signature=hlEujNjgU6e9IzAc4LD9ivgAPwY5FuPStlnwaoWrkkXl3dbRDGYkce-0DPfAEh7OYnF2F57RXTBoYSh~qj8K3fs~0yytRJFF~mRMrciFHD31gE5cS00HrENXmYaU44pafZ1Xby0YOChgMFE2ys~46hlVElTP9E8ML4fgFbsYuShlxb0aP2thp6lPK1bCJSAkjuDNF3ql3cU8ZPrik5lPdl0T6UEAMnGFoiHFbE1w2O0Igi8tGekeqtRxDsH7NZHRrE8c31TQE59GKVHbr2WSyNBfXKPLqPNc2MbBp6Zer5DMySNjL5ki~iUDT13wmsZNJG8NsWVv-jGOovVfiryLww__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted 6‑1 on March 11, 2025, to revise how the county sets dollar thresholds that trigger BCC approval for procurement awards and contract amendments. The board approved an amendment to Chapter 17 of the county code that removes the numeric approval thresholds from the ordinance and instead references administrative regulations; at the same meeting the board approved a corresponding administrative regulation that raises the practical board‑approval threshold and the cumulative change‑order threshold used by county purchasing staff.

What changed and why
Carrie Mathis, procurement division manager, told the board the procurement division has been conducting a multiyear review of procurement limits and administrative practices. The proposal removes specific dollar values from the ordinance (where they had remained unchanged since 1996) and places the numeric thresholds in an administrative regulation that the board will adopt and can update more easily in the future. The intent, Mathis said, is to modernize thresholds, reduce administrative duplication and accelerate awards for lower‑value procurements while keeping oversight and transparency through monthly reports and other checks.

New numeric values adopted by the board (March 11, 2025)
- Board approval threshold (per award, per year): exceeding $500,000 will require formal BCC approval; smaller awards may be approved by procurement under the new regulation.
- Contract amendment / change‑order ceiling: cumulative increases are limited to the greater of 10% or $100,000 before returning to the board.

Support, dissent and rationale
Board members and procurement staff said the changes respond to decades of static thresholds that no longer matched inflation and workflow realities. Several commissioners noted the change could reduce waiting time on consent agendas and help small firms by shortening the award cycle on many solicitations. Commissioner Simrad recorded the lone dissenting vote, saying the $500,000 break point was too large an increase from the prior $100,000 ordinance threshold and urging a more conservative adjustment.

Oversight and reporting
Mathis said the county will produce a monthly detailed report of contracts executed under procurement authority so the board retains visibility on spending. The change to administrative regulation means future numeric adjustments can be made via the board’s consent agenda rather than by ordinance amendment and public hearing.

What to watch next
Procurement staff told the board their analysis of one year of awards suggested the proposal could speed about 144 awards by up to four weeks, reducing administrative lead time for many projects. Stakeholders representing small and minority businesses testified to the potential benefit of faster awards and a lower time burden when entering county contracting. Watch for the first monthly procurement report under the new standard; it will provide an early signal on how many actions shift off the consent calendar and whether competitive outcomes change.","The Board of County Commissioners voted to move contract approval limits out of the county code and set a higher administrative threshold intended to speed smaller contracts and ease procurement burdens on local businesses.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Orange County updates Timberscan response; residents press for housing help and clarity

Votes at a glance: Orange County Board actions on March 11, 2025

Orange County receives regional diamond award after updating wetlands code; county touts strengthened protections

Board advances Tiny Road parkway plan with roundabouts, separated trails and safety upgrades

Orange County raises board‑approval threshold for contracts; new limits shift to administrative rule