Seminole homeowners fight to stop development of rural land

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — Some Seminole County homeowners are fighting plans for a new subdivision that they said will spoil a rural part of the county.

Developers are looking to build on land near Florida Avenue and Lake Charm Drive, just outside of Oviedo.

Chuck Tatman said his life is a lot different today than it was when he lived in the city of Orlando 14 years ago.

"When I get out in the morning, I can come outside, do my chores, do my feeding; it's perfectly quiet," said Tatman.

But the peace and quiet that attracted Tatman and his neighbors to rural Seminole County is, according them, in jeopardy.

Developers are proposing a 20-house subdivision on 38 acres of undeveloped land.

In 2004, voters changed the county charter to keep the part of the county where Tatman is rural -- no more than one home every five acres.

The county commission would have to approve changing the land use, but because one commissioner was absent during Tuesday's meeting, the decision was postponed until March.

An attorney for the developer wouldn't respond to questions from WFTV reporter Bianca Castro.

The proposed subdivision is next to another subdivision, but it's technically in rural Seminole County. Tatman and his neighbors fear if it's approved, it'll only be a matter of time before other developments move in as well.

"It just don't take very long if one development comes in. Why, the next thing you know, you got several of them," said Tatman. "Next thing you know [you] got them right next door to you. And it's just not something we care for."

The county commission will hold another public hearing before making a decision on rezoning the land at its next meeting.

WFTV