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Resort having
opened in 1971,
as well as the
subsequent arrival
of Sea-
World, Orlando
International
Airport, Orange
County Convention
Center
and Universal
Studios - Orange County was
growing rapidly. Chicone could
see Space Mountain and Disney's
Contemporary Resort from his groves, and he could
envision the homes that would be needed to support
the tourism industry. Minimizing sprawl, however, was a
priorty on the minds of county planners and in 1991 they
adopted a growth plan designating the southwest corner
of the county for agricultural use only. This meant the
citrus growers found themselves without oranges to sell,
and now they couldn't profitably sell their land either.
These concerns led to a meeting at the Ranch House
Restaurant in November of 1992, where real estate
broker Jim Karr spoke to second- and fourth-generation
citrus growers Lester Austin III and Billy Burch, and plans
emerged to form a coalition of landowners.
They understood
nd
that in order
re
for the
cou n t y
to hear their
case, they
would need
to be able
to propose a
l o n g - term
and comprehensive
solution. Karr knew that the
land was desirable due to its high
location and dry soil, making it easier to develop
than lower lying wetlands. Development of the
area would bring funding for the proposed 429 beltway.
Jim Sellen, the president of a successful land planning
firm in Orange County, entered the story and a nonprofit
organization, Horizon West Inc., was incorporated.
Sellen was brought into the group to develop a concept
that would encompass tens of thousands of acres of land.
t
Horizon West approached 50% build out and the
long awaited Town Center area began emerging.
Second school opened
in Lakeside and Horizon
West is up to 9,700 single
family homes and 5
apartment complexes.
RECESSION HALTED DEVELOPMENT
2012-15
Seidel area’s village center, coined The Mark, brings an influx of new
commercial offerings to nearby residents, including the highly anticipated
New York Beer Project. Horizon High School and Water Spring Middle open,
and design plans move forward for Horizon West Regional Park.
Horizon West comprised 55% of all building permits pulled in
Orange County. Two new elementary schools and a middle school
opened. Retail and restaurant openings surged in Hamlin and
Bridgewater. The Horizon West Theater Company launched its
first production, and the inaugural Horizon West Fest and Flavor
Fest took place.
2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
Development restarted. Town Center planning
began, and County parks were added to Summerport
and Independence while Hamlin Groves Trail and
New Independence Pkwy were completed.
Bears Who Care launched the first annual OctoBEARfest
5K and festival. Windermere High School opened, and
Lakeside Village Center added Westside Shoppes.
2020 brought continued retail and residential growth as
Horizon West sprinted past 60% build out of the anticipated
40,200 residential units. Lakeside neared completion
while other villages made progress with new schools
and road improvements. Our sense of community pride
strengthened as we came together to support local
businesses and each other through a global pandemic.
ntemp
We want responsible develop-
ment out here and we're hoping
it's something we can be proud of,"
Austin told the Orlando Sentinel on October 27, 1993.
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