Commissioner Emily Bonilla requested that the Orange County Commission clarify their position on Split Oak in advance of the FWC meeting on 12/5 (see her commissioner's report here). Since the Nov 2020 election where protecting Split Oak passed by 86%, Orange County staff have still been expressing support for the road through Split Oak, including speaking in support of removing protections for Split Oak at the April 2022 meeting of the Florida Communities Trust Board.

Commissioner Nicole Wilson was an immediate second to Commissioner Bonilla's motion for the board to vote on the issue. Commissioner Moore was a quick no, both Commissioners Uribe and Scott tried to recuse themselves and stalled but eventually voted yes. Commissioner Gomez-Cordero, another longtime supporter of Split Oak, voted yes. Mayor Demings was the final yes vote for the motion to pass, 6-1.

Please thank the commissioners that voted to align themselves with the voters of Orange County- you can give special thanks to Emily Bonilla and Nicole Wilson (district5@ocfl.net and district1@ocfl.net) who argued persuasively to respect the will of the voters. The other commissioners that voted to protect Split Oak were Mayor Jerry Demings, Commissioners Mayra Uribe, Maribel Gomez Cordero, and Mike Scott (mayor@ocfl.net, district3@ocfl.net, district4@ocfl.net, and district6@ocfl.net)

Public Comments

Emailed

To the Mayor and Commissioners:

I recently learned that the Split Oak conservation land has been added to the agenda for the Orange County Board of County Commissioners meeting for tomorrow, Tuesday, November 28, 2023. As I am unable to attend in person, I am writing as a deeply concerned citizen of the state of Florida, strongly urging the mayor and the commissioners to ensure Split Oak Forest is protected by law in perpetuity, forever.

The issue of protecting Split Oak was supported overwhelmingly and resoundingly by Orange County constituents - the same voters you represent. Much of this land is within the county, and as the county representatives, you have a democratic duty to uphold the voice of the people. And they have already spoken.

This land is of high ecological value to the state of Florida and its residents - it is a priceless resource to our local wildlife, the natural resources that we all depend on, and that our future generations will depend on us protecting for them. This land has been maintained with tax payer dollars. This land, by Florida state law and constitution, is legally protected in perpetuity.

If elected officials such as yourselves took any actions to remove these protections, you not only disrespect your constituents who you represent, but risk setting a dangerous and undemocratic legal precedent. If you cannot uphold the law when it comes to Split Oak, what will happen to the other conservation areas in the state when developers want to move in? What will happen to our coasts, our natural areas, our aquifer, our springs? - the list goes on. We have to keep the lines clearly drawn on this issue.

With more than 86% of voters supporting codifying protections during the 2020 Charter Amendment Ballot Imitative, the representatives of Orange County echo the demands of additional layers of protections for Split Oak rather than using staff time to work on progressing a toll road (which has very viable alternative routes and does NOT need to go through Split Oak) against the will of the voters.

Think, honestly, what it could lead to if you act against democracy, against the voice of the people you represent. Florida is a great state because of its natural beauty, its biodiversity, and its wildlife. Please, you must do everything you can in your power to protect it for many generations to come.
Sincerely,
Katrina Stephenson
- - -
Florida Native Plant Society
VP, Passionflower Chapter

Dear Mayor Demings, Commissioner Wilson, Commissioner Moore, Commissioner Uribe,
Commissioner Gomez Cordero, Commissioner Bonilla, and Commissioner Scott:
I believe that during the BCC meeting tomorrow that you will come with an open mind and a willingness to listen to those who come before you to speak about Split Oak Forest.
Three years ago, in 2020, an amendment to protect Split Oak Forest was passed with 86% of of the vote. No matter where you stand on this matter, the majority of voters in Orange County would like for Split Oak to remain protected, free of development. I tell my children that voting matters. The people we elect are there to represent us - to ensure our voices are heard. I am writing this email on behalf of my neighbors, friends, and family. Can you hear us?
Many of you have neighbors, friends, and family of your own. What do they want? What would you like to tell them?
Scarcity is not a reason to ignore written promises of protecting the forest. If so, then many of nature's wonders in Florida and beyond will soon be gone.
Split Oak Forest is in Orange and Osceola County. Please continue to show surrounding counties that we in Orange County have integrity - that promises are meant to be kept.
Whatever happens outside of Orange County is beyond your control, but at least you did your part.
Thank you,
Anh Volmer
Orange County Resident