Table of Contents
Connect with Commissioner Emily Bonilla
Welcome to the 68th edition of the Newsletter!
I am honored to serve the people of Orange County District 5. From College Park to Christmas, our office is here to represent your interests. We are working tirelessly to meet with as many constituents and community groups as possible in order to learn about your concerns and priorities first-hand. We encourage you to stay informed and voice your opinions as we move forward to improve the quality of life in our district.
Noteworthy
Visit our timeline to see many of our past accomplishments for District 5.
Puppy Mills Ban
Due to an ordinance, I proposed to the board, inhumane pet breeding will no longer have a pipeline into Orange County! This ordinance passed 4-3 to effectively ban all pet stores from selling dogs, cats, and rabbits. The ordinance goes into effect one year from the time the BCC voted to approve it.
Backyard Chickens Ordinance
Orange County adopted its very own Backyard Chickens Ordinance, allowing single-family residential homeowners to keep a maximum of four chickens in a tightly regulated coup. My first time speaking as a citizen in front of the Orange County board in 2013 was in support of this ordinance. 8 years later, I was able to vote it into law!
Transportation Impact Fees
Thanks to tenacious participation by our very own District 5 Neighborhood Advisory Council, the Board of County Commissioners voted 6-1 to raise transportation impact fees to the full 100% for the first time in 9 years.
Emily Tells All
My most exciting addition to the District 5 office this year has been my new talk show streaming on Roku and YouTube, Emily Tells All! Join me as I explore everything beautiful Orange County has to offer! I highlight people and places you should know about.
Creation of the District 5 Neighborhood Advisory Council
I created the District 5 Neighborhood Advisory Council (D5 NAC) earlier this year in an effort to ensure that the concerns of our District 5 community are represented at all levels of local government! If you have a vested interest in being part of the solution, apply today or submit a policy idea for the Council to work on!
Case Closed!
In this case, constituents used Facebook to contact me to request street lights on 15th and 16th St in Bithlo. Young children would wait in the morning for the school bus in pitch-black darkness. We were able to work with Traffic Engineering Divison to get lights installed!
CASE CLOSED!
If you have an issue that needs to be resolved, use our contact form and we will connect you with the right people and resources.
District 5 Videos
You can watch our videos on the YouTube Channel or special content only available on our Roku Channel where you will find full episodes of the Emily Tells All talk show and bonus segments.
Subscribe to the YouTube Channel to not miss any videos and Install the “Emily Tells All” channel on your Roku.
Important Updates and Information
IPCC Climate Change Report
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (United Nations) released a complete report earlier this year on the probable effects of climate change. Read their 5 big findings here.
Orange County Vision 2050
Orange County Government is undergoing a once-in-a-generation process to update its Comprehensive Land Development Plan. Smart growth and Sustainability are two of Orange County’s planning goals. Stay updated and give your input here.
Emergency Rental Assistance Program
Orange County has disbursed millions in ERA funds to residents who lost income due to COVID-19. If you are behind on rent, consider turning in an application today.
Decennial Redistricting
Members of the Advisory Committee for Redistricting, appointed by the BCC, are currently in the process of redrawing the lines that delineate Orange County’s six districts. If you would like to learn more or submit your own maps, go here.
Past Community Events
Florida Puerto Rican Day Parade
Puerto Ricans and friends across Central FL gathered in Downtown Orlando for one of the liveliest parades of the year. Happy Hispanic Heritage Month!
Share Your Shine: Celebrating the 31st Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act
While there is much progress to be made when considering ableism in our legal code, it is important to recognize the progress we have made towards a more equitable nation. I held an event in partnership with many other organizations to share the programs available.
Goldenrod and Bithlo Backpack Give-A-Way
Commissioner Bonilla held two backpack Give-A-Ways on July 24th, 2021 in preparation for the return of the school year! Over 750 backpacks were given to kids in need.
Autism Society of Greater Orlando Autism Walk and Family Fun Day
It was an honor for Commissioner Bonilla to be able to read the proclamation at the annual ASGO Autism Walk and Family Fun Day! Vendors, games, and activities were plentiful while fan-favorite characters roamed the convention room.
Upcoming Events
2021 Virtual Community Conference
The annual Orange County Community Conference provides Orange County residents an opportunity to learn about innovative ways to improve neighborhoods.
Register for FREE: bit.ly/3mwUMMD The conference will air on Orange County’s Facebook page, OrangeTV’s YouTube channel, and ocfl.net/OTVLive.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2021 AT 10 AM – 1 PM
Free Movie in the Park: The Addams Family
Bring your family and friends to Bithlo Community Park, 18501 Washington Avenue, Orlando, on Saturday, October 23 for the FREE Movie in the Park: The Addams Family! This fun animated movie (rated PG, 86 mins.) starts at 7 p.m., shortly after dark. Bring lawn chairs and snacks, or purchase from food trucks. No alcohol is allowed in the park; no pets are allowed in the viewing area. Visit www.OrangeCountyParks.net, email parks@ocfl.net, park phone: 407-254-1905.
Location: Bithlo Community Park, 18501 Washington Avenue, Orlando
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2021 AT 7 PM
Public Hearings: Orlando Speedworld and Student Housing
Here are the following land use cases to be heard on October 26th at 2 pm at the BCC meeting.
- Case # SE-21-07-039
Applicant / Appellant: Kelsey Weiss for Orlando Speedworld, July 1, 2021 - Amendment SS-21-01-090
Applicant: Scott Stuart; Kelly, Collins & Gentry, Inc.
Office (O) to Planned Development – Commercial, High-Density Residential – Student
Housing (PD – C HDR – Student Housing)AndSubstantial Change Request CDR-20-12-340 (Quadrangle Planned Development)
Wedgefield Park Dog Park Virtual Meeting
We want to hear from you! Orange County Parks and Recreation and District 5 Commissioner Emily Bonilla invite you to attend the virtual community meeting on Tuesday, November 2, 6-7 p.m., for a new dog Park at Wedgefield Park. Visit the Wedgefield Park web page for details and virtual meeting link: https://tinyurl.com/WedgefieldParkDogPark. Questions? parks@ocfl.net.
Location: Virtual at https://tinyurl.com/WedgefieldParkDogPark
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2021 AT 6 PM – 7 PM
Redistricting Advisory Meeting #9
Join us for our ninth public advisory meeting for redistricting in Orange County. The meeting will be held at Goldenrod Recreation Center (4863 N. Goldenrod Road, Winter Park, FL 32792). The committee will be reviewing the district maps.
Residents can attend in-person or stream the meeting on OrangeTV airing on Spectrum 488, Comcast 9, Centurylink 1081, WSWF channel 10.2, as well as online on Orange County’s Facebook, and ocfl.net/OTVLIVE.
Learn more about the redistricting process, meeting dates, and how to submit a public comment by visiting ocfl.net/redistricting.
Location: 4863 N. Goldenrod Road, Winter Park, FL 32792
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2021 AT 6:30 PM
Redistricting Advisory Meeting #10
Join us for our tenth public advisory meeting for redistricting in Orange County. The meeting will be held at the Orange County Administration Building in downtown Orlando (201 S. Rosalind Ave, Orlando, FL 32801). The Committee will be selecting which maps will be discussed at the public hearing.
Residents can attend in-person or stream the meeting on OrangeTV airing on Spectrum 488, Comcast 9, Centurylink 1081, WSWF channel 10.2, as well as online on Orange County’s Facebook, and at ocfl.net/OTVLIVE.
Learn more about the redistricting process, meeting dates, and how you can submit a public comment by visiting ocfl.net/redistricting.
Location: 201 S. Rosalind Ave, Orlando, FL 32801
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2021 AT 6:30 PM
Redistricting Advisory Meeting #11
Join us for our eleventh and final public advisory meeting for redistricting in Orange County. The meeting will be held at the Orange County Administration Building in downtown Orlando (201 S. Rosalind Ave, Orlando, FL 32801). The Committee will be approving the map to be considered by the BCC.
Residents can attend in-person or stream the meeting on OrangeTV airing on Spectrum 488, Comcast 9, Centurylink 1081, WSWF channel 10.2, as well as online on Orange County’s Facebook, and at ocfl.net/OTVLIVE.
Learn more about the redistricting process, meeting dates, and how you can submit a public comment by visiting ocfl.net/redistricting.
Location: 201 S. Rosalind Ave, Orlando, FL 32801
MONDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2021 AT 6:30 PM
District 5 Torchbearer
Torchbearer: a person who leads or inspires others in working toward a valued goal
Austin Valle is the co-lead of Orlando YIMBY, an organization dedicated to housing affordability and smart growth. He is also the chair of the Orange County Democratic Environmental Caucus and the Vice President of the Young Democrats of Orange County. He holds his Master’s degree in public policy from Georgetown University, is an Army veteran, and currently works in the hospitality industry. He is a Central Florida native and now lives in Orlando with his wife and their one-year-old son.
Austin was chosen as the District 5 Torchbearer this week for his tremendous service to his community. As a leader and member of several community boards, Austin has used his advocacy to push affordable housing to the top of both Orange County and the City of Orlando’s priority list.
Do you know a person or organization who is an Orange County District 5 Torchbearer? Nominate them to be featured in our email newsletter.
Updates from Past BCC Meeting
09/28/21 BCC Meeting
Watch the Board of County Commissioner’s (BCC) Meeting or download the minutes. After the meetings, the e-agenda is updated with the results of the votes.
Upcoming 10/12/21 BCC Meeting
View the e-agenda of the next Board of County Commissioner’s (BCC) Meeting. The e-agenda for each BCC meeting is usually available online on the Thursday before the meeting.
As always, we do have time before the meeting starts for Public Comment, and for Public Hearings there is also an opportunity to speak. For more information and how to sign up to speak, please go to https://www.orangecountyfl.net/BoardofCommissioners/BoardAppearanceandpubliccomment.aspx#.XppXRFNKgWo
This meeting will start at 9 AM for the morning session and 2 PM for the afternoon session.
Below are a couple of highlighted agenda items. Click on the agenda number to learn more about the item.
Consent Agenda
- 21-1204 – Approval and execution of First Amended and Restated Cosponsorship Agreement for the National Entrepreneur Center Between Orange County, Florida and Disney Worldwide Services, Inc. and University of Central Florida Board of Trustees Joined for limited purposes by University of Central Florida Research Foundation, Inc. (Office of Economic, Trade and Tourism Development)
- 21-1233 – Approval and execution of Resolution of the Orange County Board of County Commissioners regarding declaring October 15, 2021 as “Blind Americans Equality Day” in Orange County, Florida. All Districts. (Transportation Planning Division)
Discussion Agenda
PZC Recommendations
- 21-1246 – September 16, 2021 Planning and Zoning Commission Recommendations. There are 2 cases in District 5.
Public Hearings
- 21-1187 – Adoption of Out-of-Cycle Regular Cycle Staff-Initiated Comprehensive Plan Text Amendment and Ordinance a. Amendment 2021-1-C-OS-1 Text Amendment to Open Space Element Policy OS1.3.6 deleting the open space requirements for residential land uses in Rural Settlement expansions within the Wekiva Study Area, consistent with Future Land Use Element Policy FLU6.2.1, and amending the open space requirements for residential land uses in Growth Centers within the Wekiva Study Area; Countywide And b. Ordinance for Proposed Amendment
Upcoming Land Use Cases in District 5
You can find a list of upcoming land use cases and the dates for their community meetings and public hearings at this link: https://emilybonilla.com/blog/upcoming-land-use-cases/.
See Upcoming Land Use Cases for 10/26/2021 here.
In The News
Commissioner Emily Bonilla, who won her east Orange district after fighting a pair of mega-developments near Lake Pickett in 2016, recalled seeing a “for sale” sign pop up on the property then alerting the county’s parks and recreation division, which looped in the environmental protection division.
She said she envisioned a passive park with river access for kayaks and canoeists.
Orange County leaders are considering whether to ban stores that sell dogs and cats.
Commissioner Emily Bonilla is proposing the ordinance to completely ban the sale of dogs and cats at retail stores.
- Top 5 Things You Need to Know About Orange County’s District 5: Orange County is home to six districts that each has a distinct personality when it comes to history, natural beauty, parks and recreation options, resident diversity and business opportunities. District 5 Commissioner Emily Bonilla gave us her Top 5 things to know about her district.
- After years of issues, Orange County looks to crack down on puppy mill-linked pet stores: Commissioner Emily Bonilla didn’t mince words calling the puppy mill-linked pet stores “disgusting” and chastised people who support them.
- Crackdown on Protesters Near Chauvin Vacation Spot Collapses:
Commissioner Emily Bonilla said she wouldn’t want protesters to show up at her home. “But what I want and what’s right are two different things,” she said.
After the comments, Mayor Demings decided to withdraw the legislation. In the end, he said, “It does not appear that the board has the willingness at this point to pass the ordinance.”
COVID-19 Information
For updates on the numbers, public service announcements, and resources, please visit https://emilybonilla.com/coronavirus-covid-19-resources-for-district-5/ We do our best to keep this up to date and translated into Spanish.
