Florida commissioners unanimously rejected development across nearly 230 acres in 2025; 16 months later, they reversed course 4-3 and approved more than 4,800 apartments and about 1,000 hotel rooms

Orange County commissioners in Florida have approved the large Tuscana land-use plan in a close 4-3 vote. The decision reverses a unanimous rejection of the same project 16 months earlier. The approval allows more than 4,800 apartments and about 1,000 hotel rooms to be built across nearly 230 acres in the Shingle Creek Basin. Nearby homeowners say they fear the high-density project will cause serious flooding, destroy wildlife habitats, and put too much pressure on local roads. In May 2025, county commissioners unanimously rejected the proposal because of environmental concerns. But the decision was later reviewed after an independent Special Magistrate examined the case under state land-use rules and formally recommended that the commission reconsider its original decision.

Legal pressures and magistrate findings

The push to reconsider the application grew after the magistrate found that the county’s earlier rejection was not supported by competent, substantial evidence. According to local news outlet WKMG ClickOrlando, several commissioners who supported the project during the latest hearing said they were worried about possible financial risks if the landowners sued the county. The development site covers nearly 230 acres between Central Florida Parkway and State Road 417. The area includes nearly 59 acres of sensitive wetlands in the headwaters of the Florida Everglades system. After the vote, attorney S. William “Bill” Moore of Moore, Bowman & Reese issued a public statement on behalf of developer Shingle Creek Co-Owners LLC. Moore welcomed the decision. He said 176 individual property owners had spent years going through public review for land that the county had long designated for high-density use. The developer said the project was carefully planned to address environmental concerns while protecting private property rights. The approved plans include larger wetland buffers, partly raised access roads, and specific infrastructure measures designed to reduce possible drainage and flooding problems.

Residents express anger over wildlife loss

Despite those plans, people living next to the basin quickly expressed disappointment with the board’s decision. Local homeowners told WKMG ClickOrlando that turning open land into a developed commercial and residential area would change the natural character of their neighborhood. One resident said the area’s large deer population and other wildlife were the main reasons they had bought their home there. Another homeowner said they were worried about the size of the development. They described the commission’s vote as alarming and said losing the natural basin would also mean losing an important part of the community’s identity. Supporters of the project, including Shingle Creek Co-Owners LLC and Geyer Development LLC, say the development will bring major financial benefits to the region. Corporate filings given to the board say the project will create thousands of local jobs when fully built and will add more than $600 million (£450 million) each year to the local economy.

Community activists seek political remedy

Opponents say the fight over the Shingle Creek Basin is not over. Community groups are now looking to upcoming local elections as a way to challenge the board’s decision before construction can begin. Lee Perry, who represents local advocacy group Protect Shingle Creek, told WKMG ClickOrlando that organizers plan to meet directly with candidates seeking seats on the Orange County Commission. Perry said that because the area is currently in an election cycle, a new county commission board could legally reverse decisions made by the current board. Residents also plan to track every remaining regulatory step and environmental permit required before construction crews can begin work on the property.