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Connect with Commissioner Emily Bonilla

Welcome to the 91st 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.

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Noteworthy

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Visit our timeline to see many of our past accomplishments for District 5.

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Case Closed!

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This week, our office successfully addressed a safety issue raised by a resident in our beautiful Winter Park area. Theresa reported a dangerous hole on the northeast corner of Ohio St and Karolina Ave, resulting from fiber optic cable laying by Quantum/Century Link. Initially, the county deemed it outside their responsibility, prompting Theresa to seek assistance from our office and the city. Our office intervened, contacting Century Link and Orange County 311. Public Works responded promptly, placing barricades and working with utilities to resolve the issue, ensuring public safety. Our constituent expressed gratitude for our assistance in getting the problem addressed. As always, our office is happy to help find a resolution for all safety issues in your neighborhood.

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.

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District 5 Videos

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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.

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Important Updates and Information

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Past Community Events

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Upcoming Events

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Please click on the Event Title to find more details about the event.

District 5 Youth Advisory Council

Calling all passionate, engaged young minds in Orange County! We welcome all high school students to our youth in government initiative called the District 5 Youth Advisory Board! Join us as we embark on a journey of volunteerism, engaging discussions, and hands-on deep dives into critical local legislative topics.  This month, we are privileged to have House District 35 Candidate Nate Douglas join us for an insightful conversation on organizing and civic engagement as a young adult. Don’t miss the chance to be a part of this empowering journey!

Location: Orange County Administration, 201 S Rosalind Ave., Room 105, Orlando, FL 32801

Date: Wednesday, April 24, 2024

Time: 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM

Register: Click Here!

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Coffee with the Commissioner

Welcome to our exclusive ‘Coffee with the Commissioner’ event, an invaluable opportunity for District 5 constituents to engage directly with Commissioner Emily Bonilla in person. This gathering serves as open office hours, where community members can voice their needs, ideas, and concerns firsthand. Attendees will enjoy freshly brewed coffee and delightful refreshments while engaging in meaningful conversations.

Location: Orange County Administration, 201 S Rosalind Ave., Room 105, Orlando, FL 32801

Date: Wednesday, April 24, 2024

Time: 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Register: Click Here!

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District 5 Neighborhood Advisory Council

Join us for an engaging evening at the District 5 Neighborhood Advisory Council’s monthly meeting! This is your opportunity to connect with Commissioner Emily Bonilla and fellow community members to discuss important topics that impact our district. This meeting is open to everyone, whether you’ve been a long-time resident of District 5 or are new to the area. We believe in the power of diverse perspectives and inclusivity. Your voice matters, and we welcome your active participation in shaping the future of our community.

Location: Orange County Administration, 201 S Rosalind Ave., Room 105, Orlando, FL 32801

Date: Wednesday, April 24, 2024

Time: 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM

Register: Click Here!

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District 5 Orange Code Townhall

Join Orange County District 5 Commissioner Emily Bonilla for a candid discussion about the future of transportation in our community. Your input will steer us in the right direction as we navigate the twists and turns of funding transportation in Orange County.

Location: Goldenrod Recreation Center, 4863 N. Goldenrod Road, Winter Park, FL 32792

Date: Wednesday, April 10, 2024

Time: 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM

Learn more: Click Here!

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Visit Orlando District 5 Town Hall

Visit Orlando and MMGY Next Factor are actively developing a Destination Tourism Master Plan with the aim of shaping a comprehensive roadmap and 10-year vision for fostering visitor-driven economic growth and development in Orange County. A pivotal aspect of this initiative lies in the valuable insights we can gather from our stakeholders and residents.

Location: Florida Technical College, 12900 Challenger Pkwy, Orlando, FL 32826

Date: Wednesday, April 17, 2024

Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Register: Click Here!

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District 5 Torchbearer

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Torchbearer: a person who leads or inspires others in working toward a valued goal

Regina Melecio and Liz Alicea-Madera are true torchbearers in District 5, inspiring and leading others toward the goal of homeownership and community empowerment. As the Director of Counseling of Programs and Vice President of Programs, respectively, at Habitat for Humanity Greater Orlando, they have dedicated themselves to making a positive impact on their community.

Their recent contribution to the Tenant to Owner event exemplifies their commitment to helping renters navigate the path to becoming homeowners in Orange County. During the event, Regina and Liz delivered an engaging and educational presentation, offering valuable tips on how renters can transition into homeownership. They provided insights on applying for down payment assistance programs and even went the extra mile by offering a free 8-hour homebuyer training course.

Through their efforts, Regina and Liz not only provided practical guidance but also instilled hope and confidence in individuals dreaming of owning their own homes. Their passion for community empowerment and their willingness to go above and beyond to support others make them worthy nominees for this week’s District 5 torchbearers.

Do you know a person or organization who is an Orange County District 5 Torchbearer? Nominate them to be featured in our email newsletter.

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Updates from Past BCC Meeting

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03/26/24 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.

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Upcoming 04/09/24 BCC Meeting

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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

• 24-537 Approval to award Invitation for Bids Y24-725-CR, Blanchard Park Parking Improvements, to the low responsive and responsible bidder, Uribe Site Development, Inc. The total contract award amount is $1,250,000. ([Administrative Services Department Capital Projects Division] Procurement Division)
• 24-538 Approval of Contract Y24-1050, Basic Construction Education Program for Inmates, with Valencia College, in the total contract award amount of $735,000 for a five-year term. ([Corrections Department Community Corrections Division] Procurement Division)
• 24-540 Approval of Contract Y23-820, Edgewater Drive Roadway Conceptual Analysis, with Inwood Consulting Engineers, in the total contract award amount of $1,024,788.81. ([Public Works Department Transportation Planning Division] Procurement Division)
• 24-551 Approval and execution of Air Pollution Control Specific Operating Agreement between the State of Florida Department of Environmental Protection and Orange County. All Districts. (Environmental Protection Division)

Discussion Agenda

• 24-555 Commissioner Wilson would like to discuss Lake Avalon Rural Settlement Preservation District 1.  
• 24-556 Split Oak Forest and Wildlife Environmental Area and the Osceola Parkway Extension. (Environmental Protection Division)

Work Session Agenda

• 24-557 Transportation Sales Tax Initiative.
• 24-559 Vision 2050 and Orange Code Update. (Planning Division)

PZC Recommendations

• 24-558 March 21, 2025 Planning of Zoning Recommendations. There are no cases in District 5.

Public Hearings

• 24-421 Case # PTV 23-10-040 John McDowell, on behalf of 2823 OBT IOS, LLC, vacate a portion of an unopened and unimproved right-of-way; District 5
• 24-408 Case # DP-23-10-310 Derek Ramsburg, Kimley-Horn & Associates, Inc., The Quadrangle PD /  The Quadrangle PSP / Tract 7B – Sterling UCF Student Housing Development Plan; District 5
• 24-419 Adoption of Future Land Use Map Amendment, FLUE8.14 Text Amendment, Ordinance, and Concurrent PD Substantial Change Request a. Amendment SS-23-10-072 Christopher Leppert, Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc., Industrial (IND) to Planned Development – High Density Residential Student Housing (PD-HDR Student Housing); District 5 And b. Amendment 23-10-FLUE-10 Text Amendment to Future Land Use Element Policy FLU8.1.4 establishing the maximum densities and intensities for proposed Planned Development within Orange County And c. Ordinance for Proposed Amendment And d. CDR-23-07-214 University Center Park North PD; District 5
• 24-432 Amending Section 25-140 of the Orange County Code (“Tourist Development Plan”) to update priorities under the Tourist Development Plan; and providing for an effective date; All districts
• 24-434 Amending certain provisions of Chapter 9 (“Building and Construction Regulations”) of the Orange County Code by amending Article I (“in general”) by amending Section 9-4 (“Building codes Board of Adjustments and Appeals (“BCBAA”); creation; membership; meetings; Quorum; powers and duties”), Section 9-6 (“Compliance with codes; permits; prerequisites, revocation of permits”), Section 9-9 (“contractors”), and Section 9-10 (“certificates of competency; bonds”); amending Article II (“Building code”) by amending Section 9-33 (“Florida Building Code, Building Adopted”) and Section 9-35 (“Florida Building Code, Residential, Adopted”) and adopting the Florida Building codes, 8th edition (2023); amending Article III (“Electrical Code”) by deleting sections 9-51 through 9-55, 9-66 through 9-91, and 9-101 through 9-106 and reserving sections 9-51 through 9-65, 9-66 through 9-100, and 9-101 through 9-115; and providing for an effective date; All Districts
• 24-433 Amending certain provisions of Chapter 9 (“Building and Construction Regulations”) of the Orange County Code by amending Article XVI (“Exterior Lighting Standards’) and providing an effective date; All districts

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Upcoming Land Use Cases in District 5

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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/

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In The News

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• “Controversial Disney affordable housing project moves forward, startling opponents“: At one point, Commissioner Emily Bonilla, District 5, asked city staff to define where the boundaries of Horizon West were, to which a staff member replied that the boundary included any adjacent land that adopted a village plan. Wilson and Bonilla peppered county staff and the applicants with questions seeking more information about the impact studies that were done on the project, with Wilson making a motion to delay the vote. During discussion of how long the county would be able to postpone the vote, Demings made his motion to transmit. Wilson and Bonilla voted against the measure. 
• “Disney affordable housing project gains backing of Orange County board“: Commissioner Nicole Wilson, whose west Orange district includes Disney parks and fast-growing Horizon West, cast a “no” vote on Disney Imagineering’s request for “transmittal.” Commissioner Emily Bonilla also voted no.
• “Despite protests, Disney’s affordable housing project passes Orange County Board“: District 5 Commissioner Emily Bonilla was the other dissenting vote. She asked for a motion to postpone to allow Disney to come up with more information regarding what she called a wrongful attempt to change the rules and boundaries of Horizon West to fit the project needs. “I don’t think staff should be recommending approval for a process in that way. I’m not saying that we should or shouldn’t approve it; I’m saying they’re trying to change the boundary so that it can be part of the properties that they can land-use,” Bonilla said. “They change the rules and say, ‘Well, now it’s compliant to the rules because we changed it to make it compliant,’ and that just doesn’t make any logical sense.”
• “County commissioners move Disney affordable housing project forward“: Commissioner Nicole Wilson, who leads District 1, where the project is being proposed, and Commissioner Emily Bonilla voted “no” on Disney Imagineering’s request. Both commissioners asked for a delay on the vote so more information can be gathered. 
• “Orange County to pay onePulse property taxes“: District 5 Commissioner Emily Bonilla introduced Tuesday’s motion to pay the outstanding taxes before a termination agreement is approved. District 6 Commissioner Michael Scott seconded the motion. Next, county staff plan to present commissioners with the termination agreement at the April 23 board meeting, per the memo.
• “Orange County leaders to review plan to increase sales tax for transportation projects“: Commissioner Michael Scott supports the tax for improved bus service, while Commissioner Emily Bonilla wants more focus on mass transit and feels developers should contribute more.
• “Sustanee developers sue to build 1,800-home project in rural east Orange“: Filed by lawyers Brent Spain and David Theriaque, the lawsuit alleged Commissioner Emily Bonilla’s final-hour oration against the project “introduced incorrect or incomplete information” that developers were not permitted to rebut. Bonilla did not immediately reply to a request for comment. The County is not discussing pending litigation, spokesperson Kelly Finkelstein said Friday.

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