SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – This year, voters in Seminole County will have the chance to weigh in on two amendments to the county’s charter. Both involve protections for the rural boundary and natural lands.
Seminole County established a rural boundary in 1991 when it first adopted the “1991 Seminole County Comprehensive Plan Update.” It separates the urban areas of the county from the rural parts on the east side.
As Seminole County grows, it can be difficult to balance a booming population with natural lands. The rural boundary is seen as a defense against development beyond the boundary.
According to the county, the East Rural Area is an area of the County where urban development is not anticipated and is characterized by the following: (a) agricultural uses; (b) natural vegetation; (c) large lot low density residential uses served primarily by on-site water wells and septic tanks; (d) rural roads (mostly two-lanes) with some roads unpaved or graveled, rather than paved, without sidewalks and street lights; (e) limited commercial encroachments; and (d) ample views of wooded areas and open spaces and occasional rural villages that provide the commercial and community support services required by the residents and rural businesses.
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Earlier this year, Seminole County commissioners unanimously voted to send two referendums regarding the rural boundary to the ballot.
Requiring Supermajority vote by County Commissioners to transfer or change the use of Natural Lands
Ballot language:
Shall the Seminole County Charter be revised to require the vote of a Supermajority (i.e., a majority plus one) of the members of the Seminole County Board of County Commissioners in order to remove property from that portion of the County that is designated as “Rural Area”?
A “YES” vote on the referendum means you are in favor of a supermajority vote by the board of county commissioners when they weigh using or changing natural land.
A “NO” vote on the referendum means you are against a supermajority vote by the board of county commissioners when they weigh using or changing natural land.
Requiring Supermajority vote by County Commissioners to remove property from the County’s Rural Area
Ballot language:
Shall the Seminole County Charter be revised to require the vote of a Supermajority (i.e., a majority plus one) of the members of the Seminole County Board of County Commissioners in order to transfer or materially change the use or purpose of properties that are owned or managed by the County and that it has designated as “Natural Lands”?
A “YES” vote on the referendum means you are in favor of a supermajority vote by the board of county commissioners when they weigh removing property from rural areas.
A “NO” vote on the referendum means you are against a supermajority vote by the board of county commissioners when they weigh removing property from rural areas.
Both referendums would change the county’s charter to require a supermajority vote of 4-1. Currently, it only takes a 3-2 vote from the Commission to make changes.
Even if you do not live within the rural boundary, these amendments could impact you. Land that is annexed into a city comes with infrastructure and utility requirements that the city has to account for. On the other side, adding land to accommodate a growing population can increase the tax base where new residential and commercial developments share the burden.
Information on both charter amendment ballot issues from Seminole County is below:
Why is the Rural Area Important?
“Seminole County is the 3rd most densely populated County in the State of Florida. This means we have increased impacts on public services like police and fire protection, roads and schools. Development trends in the Rural Area produce minimal impacts on our school system, roads and public services. Maintaining the Rural Area is also vital to preserving existing natural and recreational lands and environmentally significant resources such as: the Aquifer, Geneva Bubble, the Econlockhatchee River, the St. Johns River (an American Heritage River), scenic corridors and agricultural uses.”
If the majority of voters say “yes”, what will the Charter amendment do?
- Will formally establish the Rural Boundary and Rural Area in the Home Rule Charter, providing additional strength to current land development regulations.
- Will control the density and intensity of development on Rural Lands by using established land use designations regardless of whether some of the Rural Area is located within a city in the future.
- Will provide a system of “checks and balances” on growth management decisions by maintaining the process for amending the Rural Boundary - a majority vote of your Board of County Commissioners at a public hearing, where you may voice your concerns.
- Will provide an additional level of review for development of incorporated (in a city) lands in the Rural Area. Will provide an opportunity for Seminole County, the seven cities and the Seminole County School Board to work together to manage growth in this vital area of Seminole County.
- Will not take away rights from property owners in the County or seven cities.
- Will not limit the rights of any property owner to annex into any city.
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