Orange County officials predict a population increase to 2.1 million by 2050. This 48 percent increase over the current population will bring about 690,000 new Central Florida residents.
Accommodating this growth calls for 276,000 new housing units. These include various forms of housing such as detached homes, duplexes, courtyard apartments, townhouses, and midrise buildings. COVID-era migration trends have only amplified this need.
At ABC Central Florida’s Builders’ Breakfast, Alberto Vargas, Planning Manager at Orange County Government, addressed the issue. He stated local municipalities are likely to absorb about 250,000 of the new Central Floridians. This leaves a shortage of around 92,000 units.
However, Orange County has a plan. Vargas detailed Orange County’s Vision 2050, a roadmap prioritizing context diversity and development. This initiative aims to ensure environmental preservation, community character, and mobility options.
“We’re shifting from a one-size-fits-all approach with the development community,” Vargas said. “We’re veering away from the segregation of land uses.”
The county’s comprehensive plan sets guidelines for development in different areas. This includes rules, objectives, and goals for the process.
Vargas added, “We’re changing future land uses under Vision 2050. We’re merging the uses into integrated use to create places and targeting specific densities and intensities scenarios.”
Vision 2050 identifies three core elements: market areas, sectors, and place types. Market areas refer to six specific regions: northwest, southwest, core, east, south, and the rural east. These areas will help the county better understand and manage expected growth and future economic drivers.
In addition, county planners will assess different market sectors. They aim to identify areas suitable for growth, contrasting them with more established or rural regions. They also consider areas for preservation or those with special purposes.
Lastly, they’ll examine place types to identify optimal locations for future growth, including population centers, neighborhoods, and corridors.
Vargas said that county planners are collaborating with the development community. They’re evaluating new applications through an accessibility and mobility model. This model aligns development opportunities with the county’s broader plans for the future.