Dr. Phillips Town Hall meeting brings updates on development, local projects

SOUTHWEST ORANGE  If all goes as planned, Dr. Phillips will be getting a new relief high school, little-league fields and myriad residential developments in the near future.

These were just some of the development highlights discussed during the Dr. Phillips Town Hall meeting, held Thursday, July 7, at the Rosen Jewish Community Center. Orange County officials from the planning, transportation planning and parks and recreation divisions were present to update residents on projects in their community. Additionally, representatives from Orange County Public Schools, Orange County Fire Rescue and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office gave residents insight into their respective matters, highlights and accomplishments.

DEVELOPMENT

Alberto Vargas, manager of the Orange County Planning Division, helped open the meeting with a presentation of development updates in southwest Orange County, which is the sector Dr. Phillips falls under. Dividing the southwest sector into three portions — north, central and south Dr. Phillips — Vargas highlighted 17 projects, 11 of which are located in south Dr. Phillips.

North Dr. Phillips has two residential projects planned, as well as 31,500 square feet of retail, restaurant and office space at The Grove at Isleworth. Central Dr. Phillips has three residential projects in the works.

The majority of the development is planned for south Dr. Phillips. Among the projects in discussion are multiple subdivisions, a 10,000-square-foot preschool, a new relief high school for Dr. Phillips and Freedom high schools and hotel-room expansions.

Vargas told the community that much of the development and growth in south Dr. Phillips is due to the current availability of undeveloped property.

ROADWAY PROJECTS

Renzo Nastasi of the Orange County Transportation Planning Division presented updates on current and future roadway projects that will affect Dr. Phillips. 

One of the highlights was a planned extension of Daryl Carter Parkway and an improved Interstate 4 interchange within the next five to seven years.

Additionally, a study on Sand Lake Road began in May and is expected to be completed by May 2017. Under consideration is an Apopka-Vineland Road to Turkey Lake Road extension, but since this is an operational study, it might not consist of traditional road widening.

Orange County District 1 Commissioner S. Scott Boyd added that a median tree-planting program will begin in late August to early September of this year. It will start at Sand Lake Road, along Apopka-Vineland Road to the south.

SCHOOLS

Orange County Public Schools District 4 School Board Member Pam Gould presented an update on schools to come near the southwest portion of Orange County in the coming years.

Over a span of the next six years, there are three planned new schools that Gould touched on: a relief school for Bridgewater Middle, expected by 2019; a relief elementary school near the new Bay Lake Elementary, expected by 2019; and a relief school to aid both Dr. Phillips and Freedom high schools, expected by 2022. Additionally, comprehensive improvement for Southwest Middle is expected to come about by 2020.

Gould announced a community meeting for the Dr. Phillips/Freedom relief high school, set for Wednesday, July 27, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Dr. Phillips High.

PARKS AND RECREATION

Matt Suedmeyer of the Orange County Parks and Recreation Division announced that the Dr. Phillips Foundation is donating property adjacent to the Dr. Phillips Community Park. This property will be used to add up to three baseball fields.

Dr. Phillips Little League will relocate to the park and use these fields for its games and practices.

For more information on discussions, developments and projects coming to Dr. Phillips in the near future, contact Boyd at [email protected].

Contact Danielle Hendrix at [email protected].