Orange County's Board of County Commissioners approves Discovery Church development

After years of debate, Orange County commissioners approved Discovery Church’s request to build a new campus Tuesday, March 24. 

While the project was approved, changes to the church’s size had to be made, from 45,934 square feet to 42,000 square feet. 

Church representative Scott Gentry initially applied for a special exception in the A1 zoning district, which would allow the facility to be built in the Lake Avalon Rural Settlement, as well as allow grass parking in lieu of an improved space. 

The one-story facility will be located on 19.97 acres, with 15 acres dedicated solely to preservation. 

However, District 1 Commissioner Nicole Wilson opposed the facility. 

“We want you in Orange County doing great work every single day,” she said. “With that said, we were here having this exact conversation in 2022. … This was about the size and the number of people coming and going.” 

The main sanctuary will hold 800 seats, and a student ministry will include 162 seats. The facility also will include classroom spaces, a kids’ auditorium and offices. 

Wilson said the board determined the facility did not meet the standards of the county’s comprehensive plan and its protections for the rural settlement in 2022, which still stands today. 

“It’s the same project,” she said. “With that understanding, I’m going to make a motion to deny this project. … It’s a beautiful concept, but it is not for the rural community, and that has been an ask of the community of the district commissioner.” 

Discovery Church’s Director of Operations Rob Garrett said the reason this location was chosen is because it is centrally located to all its members, which would allow the church to better serve its community. 

During public comments, District 1 residents expressed concerns about the church. 

“Mayors and commissioners, approving even one mega facility will have far-reaching consequences,” Winter Garden resident Denise Martinez said. “It will trigger additional applications and the cumulative impact will fundamentally and irreversibly transform the character of our community undermining the very purpose for which rural settlements were created and rapidly and permanently shifting (the area) from rural to urban.”

Commissioners who were unopposed to the church agreed a decrease in size would better suit the church’s environment. While Discovery Church approved the condition, team members were adamant not to decrease its size any further. 

District 6 Commissioner Michael Scott advised church leaders to continue meeting with community members. 

“We’re going to do outreach and continue it because we want the members of this rural community to love this church and use this church,” Rebecca Wilson said on behalf of the church. “You 100% have that commitment.” 

District 3 Commissioner Mayra Uribe proposed a motion to approve Discovery Church’s request. District 2 Commissioner Christine Moore second the motion, and it was passed 5-2. 

Now, the site plan and elevations will need to be modified. 

Garrett said the next step is to meet with the community after modifications are complete before submitting permits and beginning construction.