08 |
If you have ever had the urge to help set the future
course for a community, then Horizon West is your
place! This community continues to rise to the top
of the list of desirable relocation destinations and
with good reason. The housing market is strong, and
the area is master-planned to include parks, trails
and schools. Horizon West remains one of the fastest
growing communities in the United States. For those
considering a move to Central Florida because of the
great weather, low taxes (and no state income tax), or
because of job opportunities, they are likely to look at
West Orange County and Horizon West in particular.
For the past 3 years, Horizon West has been pulling
approximately 50% of all permits in unincorporated
Orange County – expected to continue in 2020. While
all that growth is exciting and gives new residents the
opportunity to mold their community, it also brings
some distinct challenges. Consider that it takes
approximately six to 12 months to build a house, but
about six years to build a new road. And seeing that
school capacity is gobbled up almost as fast as a school
opens, then you begin to understand the growing pains
felt by such a seismic shift in population.
The good news is that many of the improvements
needed to our infrastructure are already in process.
Three new roadways are planned to connect SR-429
and US Hwy 27, a new high school for Horizon West is
under construction, as well as dozens of intersection
improvements and sidewalks. A new library is planned
and funded for Horizon West in addition to multiple
neighborhood parks and a 200+ acre regional park is
in the master planning phase – going into phase one of
design stages shortly.
Under the heading of "you asked and we listened," at my
request, Orange County staff has been hard at work on
drafting a golf cart ordinance, which, if approved, will
give neighborhoods who want to use golf carts on their
roads a way to do so legally. Additionally, since many
of you shared your concerns about construction site
safety as hurricanes approached our shores, I spearheaded
a partnership with the Greater Orlando Builders
Association and Associated Builders and Contractors
trade organizations to craft uniform preparation recommendations
and requirements for contractors to make
their sites safe in advance of a storm. Many of you have
asked for a new post office to serve the area. With that
in mind, I spoke with the regional representatives of the
USPS and have their assurance that they will be locating
a storefront Post Office to serve our fast-growing area.
You may also have noticed several new traffic signals
and road improvements over the past year. As design
is underway for multiple road and intersection
improvements, my office is reviewing the timelines
and looking at ways to bring safety improvements
forward as interim steps so that the roads remain safe
while the capacity improvements are being designed.
West Orange County has long been known to be
a welcoming community. It's a place where citizens
work together to solve our problems, welcome
new neighbors and create community through new
clubs, PTOs, places of worship, and vibrant new
locally owned businesses. As Horizon West grows,
it is crucial to its success that each of us gets
involved and collaborates to improve this part of
the world that we call home. There are hundreds
of ways in which our talents can be used. We can
volunteer with our HOA or in our childrens' schools,
attend community meetings to help master-plan a
park, or volunteer on a County Board. Whichever path
we choose, let's give it a great attitude and put our
talents to work to help shape this extraordinary
community we call Horizon West.
COMMISSIONER’S CORNER
DISTRICT 1 • HORIZON WEST
Visit: OCFL.net/District1
Download: OCFL 311 app
Commissioner VanderLey presented awards to the
2019 Horizon West Who's Who at Horizon West Fest.
byBetsy VanderLey
District 1 Commissioner,
Orange County, FL
/District1