Orange County commissioners on Oct. 14 voted unanimously to deny a developer’s request to amend the Evergreen planned development in the Tangerine rural settlement, rejecting a proposal to cluster previously approved 1‑acre lots into smaller half‑acre parcels while setting aside 50 percent of the property as permanently protected open space.

What was proposed: The applicant sought to modify the approved PD for roughly 22–23 acres (Parcel C) so the previously approved 20 single‑family lots could be clustered into smaller half‑acre lots and a conservation tract would cover roughly half the site in order to comply with Wekiva study‑area open‑space requirements. The applicant argued clustering would achieve the same density (one dwelling unit per acre) while preserving larger contiguous open space for recharge and wildlife corridors.

Why commissioners denied it: Residents from the Tangerine rural settlement urged the board to preserve one‑acre minimum lot sizes and the established low‑density character of the area. Speakers and neighborhood leaders said many surrounding parcels are one acre or larger and that clustering would create a suburban pattern inconsistent with the rural settlement policies in the County Comprehensive Plan. Commissioners said they wanted to protect the character of the rural settlement and avoid setting a precedent that could prompt further quarter‑acre subdivisions in agricultural or low‑density neighborhoods.

Key procedural points: The request required a PD amendment before the Board of County Commissioners because the original PD approval set conditions tied to lot layout and lot width. Staff had recommended approval subject to conditions intended to protect buffers and require a contiguous conservation tract, but the board sided with resident testimony that the requested reduction in minimum lot size would undermine the rural settlement policies. The motion to deny, made by Commissioner Martinez Simrad and seconded by Commissioner Gomez Cordero, passed unanimously.

Community context: Speakers emphasized Tangerine’s long history and existing one‑ to several‑acre lot pattern, and said many residents oppose a change that they say would erode rural character and increase traffic on local roads. Applicants had proposed internal roadways and a conservation tract; staff and the developer argued the change would be density‑neutral and would protect larger contiguous open space, but commissioners prioritized the community’s request to maintain one‑acre minimums.

Outcome and next steps: The PD amendment request was denied and will not move forward. County staff and the applicant may pursue other land‑use options consistent with the existing PD or bring a substantially different application back to the board with significant community engagement.