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Public asks board to remove rural enclave on Simmons Road; commissioners approve related consent items and discuss broader enclave review
Summary
A property owner spoke in favor of removing a rural enclave designation on Simmons Road during a quasi‑judicial consent public hearing. The board approved consent public hearing items 27–36 (including the subject parcel) unanimously and commissioners discussed a wider legislative review and community meetings about removing the enclave.
A landowner urged the Osceola Board of County Commissioners to remove a rural enclave designation on Simmons Road and to permit rezoning that would align the parcel with surrounding development. The board approved the related consent public hearing items, including the parcel in question, and commissioners signaled interest in a broader review of the rural enclave.
Lisa Owen of 2899 Honeydew Road in Kissimmee spoke during the quasi‑judicial hearing on agenda item 33. She told the board the parcel and neighboring properties have “fundamentally changed the character of this enclave” and asked commissioners to “remove the enclave” to allow future development that aligns with nearby residential and commercial growth, citing nearby projects such as Big Sky, St. Cloud Commons and Simmons Trace. Owen said the properties supporting removal total “approximately over 103 acres.”
Staff clarification and board action: a county staff member (Mr. Stengel, name provided on the record) confirmed the agenda would remove 15 acres per the legal description associated with the item on the docket. Commissioners then moved to approve consent public hearing items 27–36; the motion passed unanimously and ex parte disclosures were submitted to the clerk for the record.
Further direction: Commissioner Groove (name as in transcript) asked the board to initiate a statement of legislative intent to review the entire rural enclave along Simmons Road, and to hold community meetings so residents can voice opinions about removing all properties from the enclave. The commissioner said residents support community meetings; she asked for the board’s support. The chair acknowledged there was support to pursue the statement of legislative intent and to hold public meetings, though the transcript does not record a formal vote on that specific next step, which is a direction rather than a final land‑use decision.
Why it matters: removing an enclave can change allowable uses, density and infrastructure expectations for parcels adjacent to growing corridors. The transcript shows active local support and board willingness to pursue further public engagement prior to any comprehensive rezoning.
Ending: item 33 was approved as part of items 27–36; the board recorded unanimous approval. Commissioners signaled interest in initiating a broader public process (statement of legislative intent and community meetings) to consider removing the rural enclave along Simmons Road, with staff to follow up.
