Seminole Co. commissioners delay vote on Black Hammock business venture

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — Seminole County leaders have once again delayed deciding on whether to give a local business the green light to expand.

Channel 9 first reported in June about plans for the Lake Jesup Nature Center. The center sits next to Black Hammock Adventures in Oviedo.

Some people are upset that plans included a miniature golf course.

On Tuesday Channel 9's Marisa Mendelson learned the developer has now scrapped that idea, and has made other changes in hopes of winning approval.

Last year Joel Martin purchased 20 acres of property next to his Black Hammock Adventures business, hoping to someday make that land home to a marina, a miniature golf course and seven cabins.

For months Martin and his neighbor Robert King have been battling over the plan in front of county commissioners.

"We're going to take a piece of property that's in a rural area that's (zoned) residential-agricultural, and they're converting it to a commercial operation," said King.

So far, each time commissioners gathered to make a decision they have delayed their vote.

"I would have never guessed they would have taken another continuation," said King.

In an effort to come up with a compromise, the owner of the property dropped the idea of a miniature golf course and instead has a new plan for 15 cabins on the property. 

"I need some revenue, somewhere," said Martin.

His planed compromise could be controversial. Some commissioners said seven is the most cabins they would approve.

"I don't believe I can do with seven cabins only. I believe with seven cabins I will remove my application," said Martin.

Commissioners have decided to discuss all the new changes at their next public hearing which is scheduled in two weeks.

WFTV