ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Orange County provided updates on the progress Thursday that’s been made on the updated Vision 2050 plan that will guide growth in the county over the next few decades.
Like much of Florida, Orange County’s population has exploded in the last 10 years. According to the U.S. Census, the county had a population of 1.4 million in the 2020 Census, up from 1.1 million in 2010.
By 2050, the county’s population is expected to increase by 500,000, exceeding more than 2 million people. Much of the growth, 44%, is expected in the urban sector.
Vision 2050 combines ideas from citizens developers, elected officials and other stakeholders to guide the county in how to manage that growth.
Alberto Vargas is the manager of Orange County’s Planning Division and he is leading Vision 2050. He told News 6 there will be drastic but productive changes coming.
“Apartments could be part of new buildings that have a coffee shop on the first floor or a bakery on the first floor or book store,” Vargas said.
VISION 2050 covers all of unincorporated Orange County, but it does not cover the municipalities, therefore, places like the City of Apoka are not included.
The county has been updating that growth plan, using 10 guiding principles:
- Building sustainable communities
- Building complete neighborhoods
- Create a range of housing opportunities and choices
- Create walkable neighborhoods
- Foster distinctive, attractive communities with a strong sense of place
- Preserve open space, farmland, and critical environmental areas
- Direct development towards existing communities
- Development decisions predictable, fair, and cost-effective
- Encourage community and stakeholder collaboration in development decisions
- Provide a variety of transportation choices.
New zoning will be referred to as Orange Code, a mix of residential, commercial and recreation close to employment centers.
There will be growth in targeted areas.
“It’s about 36,000, 37,000 acres in Orange County connecting major employment centers such as International Drive, to areas such as downtown Orlando and beyond UCF,” Vargas said.
Residents can share their ideas for the “future of Orange County” by clicking here. The county is asking for any ideas or photos “of something inspirational.”
County commissioners are expected to vote on the plan in October.
In the meantime, you can go to the Vision 2050 section of the Orange County website to read the plan, look at an interactive map, and get more information.
The county is also still collecting ideas from the public. You can submit your idea HERE.
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