Residents gather at commission meeting to discuss Black Hammock development

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — Residents in Seminole County packed a commission meeting Tuesday afternoon trying to stop a developer from using a portion of rural land for a housing project.

Channel 9 first told you about the 50-acre development earlier this month. The Southern Oaks subdivision would have around 95 houses near the Oviedo-Winter Springs line along State Road 434 across from the Black Hammock preserve.

Developer Dwight Sadoff was fighting for his right to use a 4 1/2-acre parcel on his land for a retention pond. On Tuesday, the vote was in Sadoff's favor, which means he'll be allowed to move forward with his plans.

People who live in the area worry changes to the rural boundary will set a dangerous precedent for future developers.

But under an agreement with Seminole County, the developer would only be able to use the 4 1/2 acres as green space, not for building.

Residents, some for and others against the project, packed commission chambers in Sanford to voice their opinions.

"I strongly support this for the quality and value for Seminole County," said Oviedo resident John DeLouise.

"We have entirely way too much development that is of no use to nobody," said a man who opposed the idea.

WFTV