LIGHTING UP THE FACTS Distinguishing MYTHS from FACTS in Innovation Way
The Environmental Land Stewardship Policies are inconsistent with the adopted Innovation Way Policies THE MISCONCEPTION
THE TRUTH The Environmental Stewardship Policies are being proposed to further the goals and intent of the adopted Innovation Way Policies
THE TRUTH The concept of a TDR or other environmental credit program has proven unsuccessful in many other locations, and is of little real incentive to place developable land in preservation
Lands labeled “Rural / Agriculture” on the adopted Scenario 5 map were represented as being slated for preservation under the Environmental Stewardship Program and would never be open for development THE MISCONCEPTION
THE TRUTH Placing a prohibition on the development of private lands within a local comprehensive plan would be a violation of private property rights and would constitute a taking
THE TRUTH The Scenario 5 map clearly shows four colors of green representing four distinct land uses: 1.Darkest Green = Wetlands 2.Lime Green = Existing Conservation Areas & County Preservation Land 3.Medium Green = Rural / Agricultural 4.Light Green = Outlying Edges of Community District (lower density/intensity development)
THE TRUTH Specific discussion and representation was made during both transmittal and adoption hearings by LPA and BCC that the underlying rights of the lands listed as Rural / Agricultural would be retained (currently 1 unit per 10 acres)
The proposed Environmental Stewardship Plan does not provide adequate wildlife corridors THE MISCONCEPTION
THE TRUTH Not just one, but multiple wildlife corridors are provided in the currently proposed ELSP and are shown on the Conceptual Environmental Stewardship Map
Corridor Naturally Central Florida Greenprint Econ River Protection
THE TRUTH One of the requirements contained in both the State Econlockhatchee River Protection Rules and the County Econlockhatchee River Protection Ordinance is to preserve “Riparian Habitat Protection Zones” and “River Corridor Protection Zones.” The corridors provided in the ELSP far exceed these requirements
The proposed Environmental Stewardship Plan is insufficient in that it only protects lands which are already protected under current regulations THE MISCONCEPTION
THE TRUTH The Conceptual Environmental Stewardship Map delineates as Stewardship Lands nearly 2,300 acres of uplands, of which nearly 1,200 acres is currently developable without environmental restriction
THE TRUTH Over 50% of the lands lying within the Innovation Way Study Area will be preserved upon implementation of the ELSP as presented Approximately 45% of the lands lying in the six major Innovation Way holdings will be preserved upon implementation of the ELSP as presented
THE TRUTH Lands currently thought to be fully protected under State and County rules and ordinances are actually able to be developed with certain restrictions. Lands protected under the ELSP are preserved and protected from future development
THE TRUTH Lands designated for protection under the ELSP are valued at over $60 million using the recent Rybolt purchase as an estimate of value, and are being preserved at no cost to Orange County or its residents
CONCLUSION Much of what is said to have been previously represented is simply not factual – a series of MYTHS. The adopted policies and Scenario 5 map reflect the results of the original Innovation Way process and its associated public hearings. It is these policies which govern development within the Innovation Way Study Area.