A proposed 277-site RV park in the Lake Avalon Rural Settlement area has sparked intense debate among local residents, with opinions sharply divided on its potential impact. A community meeting hosted by Orange County’s zoning division on July 26 drew mixed reactions to the project, which aims to establish camping sites on a property at 5872 Rex Drive in the Lake Avalon area according to an article by Observer.
Preston Hage and Jake Schrimsher of Old Florida Groves represented the proposal at the meeting. Their vision includes amenities such as a clubhouse with a pool, an event barn, a museum and discovery center, and a farm core area. The plan aims to preserve the existing 40-acre citrus grove on the front of the property, aligning with their conservation goal.
The property, currently zoned A-1 with a Future Land Use designation of Rural Settlement, requires a special exception for the proposed RV park and campground. Orange County’s zoning regulations require compliance with additional code standards and the submission of a comprehensive traffic study.
Environmental considerations are at the forefront of the debate. Hage and Schrimsher emphasized their commitment to on-site well and wastewater treatment using best practices, aiming to minimize the project’s ecological footprint.
“We’ve owned this since 2021, and we’ve been trying to find a plan that’s good for the environment, that’s good for the community, that works for our guests and works for our ownership,” Schrimsher said. “We’ve been working hard to find a win-win for everyone, and we mean that.”
Traffic management was another major concern. The developers propose strategies to minimize new traffic, including scheduled check-in times, extensive signage to keep guests on-site, quiet hours, and dark sky lighting. However, some residents remain skeptical about the effectiveness of these measures.
Community reactions have been mixed, with many residents expressing strong opposition to the proposal. Kevin Hand, a local resident, voiced concerns about the project’s compatibility with the rural settlement. “These protections still exist today and will continue to exist through the efforts and dedication of the amazing, hard-working people within our community who fight on our behalf day in and day out,” he said.
“Simply because land exists here doesn’t mean it can be picked off at will without any concern for our community. No matter how an applicant or an investor wants to package something and call it agri-tourism … the reality is they are all nothing short of a trojan horse. These changes in zoning requests will decimate our community and some of the last undeveloped land in West Orange County,” Kevin added.
Christopher Newhart, another resident, raised issues about potential noise, increased transience, and the project’s overall fit within the community. “We live in a nearby community in Hamlin, and all residents I’ve heard from do not want this here,” he said.
“If you look across Facebook groups, it is a lot of the same. Several concerns, including traffic, noise and transience. The company has other RV parks, and the reviews are not good. It seems to be a short-term rental loophole and close to Disney, which would otherwise not be allowed in this area or Orange County, which is concerning and also frustrating, as everyone surrounding the park can not rent a house out for less than a long-term lease. How are they getting around this? People think it will be,” Christopher added.
The project will be discussed today at a Board of Zoning Adjustment meeting, followed by a meeting of the Orange County Board of County Commissioners at a later date to be determined.
Supporters of the project argue for potential benefits in accommodating high-end RVs and potentially boosting local spending. They argue that the development could bring economic opportunities to the area while preserving much of the existing landscape.
The proposal’s framing as an agritourism venture adds another layer to the discussion. As the community grapples with this contentious issue, the decision-making process will include a Board of Zoning Adjustment meeting and an Orange County Board of County Commissioners meeting. The developers’ ability to address concerns and demonstrate the project’s alignment with the area’s rural character will be crucial in determining its fate.