Seminole Co. developer wants to annex rural boundary

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — Seminole County residents are upset about a high- end development's plans to expand into a rural area near Lake Jesup.

The Southern Oaks subdivision is going to be built near Deleon Street and Florida Avenue.

It will have nearly 100 homes, but the controversy is over 4 ½ acres that are part of Seminole County's rural boundary.

Nearby residents think it should stay that way instead of being annexed into Winter Springs and rezoned by the county, which is what the builder wants.

Katie Auld said her family moved into the area to get out of the suburbs, but the developer wants to build homes on nearly 50 acres.

"I am not very happy about it. I didn't know much about it, but I don't think -- I think it's going to ruin all of this," Auld said.

A lot of the land is rural, but there is a commercial business right next door.

Some people welcome the new homes, which would be a major boost to Seminole County's economy.

Winter Springs city records show that the developer only wants to use the 4 ½ of rural area as a recreational area and to build a retention pond.

That's not enough for Auld.

"There is a lot of wildlife out here, you know, deer and everything else out here, and it's going to ruin it," Auld said.

The next public hearing in Winter Springs is on Aug. 26.

Because the property is also near Oviedo, some upset neighbors are also expected to protest at Oviedo's City Council meeting.

WFTV