1. Propagating Urban Sprawl
Wedgefield K-8 Siting
Propagating Urban Sprawl
2/18/15

2. Future Land Use Map - Wedgefield K-8 Site
City Area
(Wetlands)
Proposed K-8 school site on Future Land Use Map
All land outside City Area has a land use designation of Rural, Park, or Preservation
Wedgefield area surrounding school:
Is in the Rural Service Area
Has a FLU Map designation of Rural
Has FLU Element designation of Rural/Agriculture
Is Zoned A-2 – Farmland Rural District N
1 Mile Radius
2/18/15
Figure Source: Orange County, Florida 2010 – 2030 Comprehensive Plan – Future Land Use Map Series

3. Future Land Use Map - Wedgefield K-8 Site
Intent of Florida State Statutes chapters and :
Public schools should be located where ancillary infrastructure exists to support the needs of the facility and “to discourage uncontrolled urban sprawl”.
Comprehensive Plan GOAL PS2: Make schools the cornerstone of community planning and design.
OBJECTIVE PS2.2: Enhance community design through effective siting standards.
POLICIES include:
PS2.2.5: Locate elementary school within reasonable walking distance of homes served by the school.
PS2.2.8: Site school so it is compatible with the Future Land Use Map and with land uses surrounding proposed school sites.”
None of which are accomplished by this location. The site is located in the heart of a mature rural community of large estate lots.
Siting a non-residential use in the center of a rural neighborhood does not enhance the community design. N
1 Mile Radius
2/18/15
Figure Source: Orange County, Florida 2010 – 2030 Comprehensive Plan – Future Land Use Map Series

4. Traffic Study - Wedgefield K-8 Site
83% of Wedgefield students live north of School Site
Aerial Imagery background illustrates school site is in the heart of rural area.
33%
50%
10% 7%
Figure Source: From AVACON Traffic Study August 2014
1 Mile Radius
2/18/15

5. Student Population - Wedgefield K-8
83% of students within Wedgefield live north of School Site
Most of them beyond 1 mile
33%
50%
10% 7% N
1 Mile Radius
2/18/15
Source: OCPS
and AVACON Traffic Study August 2014

6. Master Plan Location - Wedgefield K-8
¼ acre lots
School is sited in center of “Estates” area.
These are the largest parcels in the Wedgefield
This brings urbanization to the most rural area of Wedgefield
5 acre parcels
Now 2 – 10 acre homesteads
1 acre parcels N
2/18/15

7. Rural Location - Wedgefield K-8 Site
Contrasting Amenities:
City Area:
Sidewalks throughout
Streetlights throughout
35 MPH – Primary /25 MPH all others
Underground Stormwater collection
Private Water Utility throughout
Private Sewer Utility throughout
Traditional Suburban Neighborhood
Rural Service Area:
No Sidewalks anywhere
Nearly no Streetlights throughout
50 MPH – Several / 40 or 35 – all others
Open swale / canal storm water collection
Well water throughout
Septic tank/drainfield throughout
Rural Lifestyle
33%
50%
10% 7%
Figure Source: From AVACON Traffic Study August 2014
1 Mile Radius
2/18/15

8. Rural Location - Wedgefield K-8 Site
Changes needed for school:
Add sidewalk on Bancroft
Extend potable water 2 miles
Connect to sewer 1 mile away
Erect onsite water treatment / storage plant
Install traffic controls on Bancroft Blvd
Changes coming with school:
Add 90% more daily traffic on Bancroft
Introduce inconsistent 155,000 SF facility
Add outdoor Noise / Light pollution
Changes after school arrives:
The community is going need several more enhancements to make school viable asset:
More Streetlights & sidewalks
Open for non-school usage during off-hours
Address Pluris water quality
School paves way for urban sprawl
Once the school is sited in the heart of the rural area, it becomes the cornerstone of Wedgefield community. There is no going back.
This results in propagating urban sprawl
This is the wrong location for this facility
33%
50%
10% 7%
Figure Source: From AVACON Traffic Study August 2014
1 Mile Radius
2/18/15

9. Future Land Use Atlas – Community Cornerstone
Wedgefield development has no internal land set aside for public use other than small park in city area
There is a 34 acre commercial area on SR-520.
One convenience store
Remainder undeveloped
Former “plaza” on east side of SR-520
Community holds events in parking area up front
Wedgefield has a private golf course
HOA uses golf course restaurant for meetings
There are no adjacent communities with amenities.
Wedgefield needs a community cornerstone
The school offers this opportunity but it is not the right location.
The center of community activity is the City Area
The school needs to be placed where it can serve as a community cornerstone near to the center of activity
City Area N
2/18/15
Figure Source: Orange County, Florida 2010 – 2030 Comprehensive Plan – Future Land Use Map Series

10. Proposed Alternate Site
Proposed Alternate K-8 Site
Long Branch Creek
Proposed Alternate Site
Alternate Location
Nearly 200 acre site.
Unlimited room for growth.
Excellent access for all modes of transportation.
In walking distance of core student population
Current Location N
1 Mile Radius
2/18/15

11. Proposed Alternate Site
Future Land Use Atlas – Proposed Alternate K-8 Site
Proposed Alternate Site
Sensible Location
Locates school adjacent to highest density area
Eliminates “urban sprawl”
Sites school within reasonable walking distance
Enhances community design
Ancillary infrastructure exists to support facility needs
Compatible with land uses adjacent to school site
Becomes the community center
City Area N
1 Mile Radius
2/18/15
Figure Source: Orange County, Florida 2010 – 2030 Comprehensive Plan – Future Land Use Map Series

12. Proposed Alternate Site
Student Population – Proposed Alternate K-8 Site
Proposed Alternate Site
Sensible Location
Majority of Wedgefield Students within mile of school N
1 Mile Radius
2/18/15
Source: OCPS
and AVACON Traffic Study August 2014

13. Orange County acquired this parcel 10/16/2014
School Bus
Auto
Walk/Bike
Orange County acquired this parcel 10/16/2014
Room for future expansion
Better transportation access
Consistent with adjacent development density
Orange County
acquired this
113 acres 10/16/2014
Close to core student population in Wedgefield
2/18/15

14. Wedgefield Student Statistics
Source: OCPS
OCPS has designed this K-8 to eventually become a Middle School
Wedgefield Students will never fill a middle school
OCPS will bus in 1000 of 1500 students in middle school from outside Wedgefield
Build the Middle School where it is more economical and practical
2/18/15

15. Advantages Transportation Better auto access from outside Wedgefield .
Multiple entry points off SR520 where future students will be coming from.
Bus access directly from SR520 – again where students will be bused from.
Connects to existing sidewalk network for a safer route to school for walk and bike.
All routes in city area already have street lights.
Considerably shorter bus route from outside Wedgefield to and from this location.
Thereby reducing transportation cost.
Bus transportation for students in rural area
Where sidewalks are not present
Proximity
Closer to core student population in Wedgefield City area.
Adjoins Hal Scott and provides joint use with Orange County Parks and Recs for outdoor educational experiences for students.
2/18/15

16. Advantages Compatible and Consistent
Eliminates need for extensive sidewalk network throughout Wedgefield Estates.
Where no sidewalks currently exists.
Locates school in area with existing sidewalk network.
It is more consistent with existing surrounding development density.
Suburban residential neighborhood
Future Expansion
Provides Orange County with educational expansion options
Accommodates a second school to handle future growth
Makes the school area the cornerstone of community planning and design.
Room for Orange County to co-locate future public facilities such recreational center, community center, library.
Ability to provide trails connecting nearly Bithlo community.
Utilities
Closer proximity to Pluris potable water plant in Wedgefield
Also closer connect if County water / wastewater services become available in future
Direct Access to Primary versus Secondary Stormwater RDD Drainage Canal
2/18/15

17. Future Land Use Atlas – Proposed Alternate K-8 Site
Site Improvements
Meets many Comprehensive Plan Public School Policies:
PS2.1.1: Encourage the locations of parks, recreation and community facilities in new and existing communities in conjunction with school sites.
PS2.1.2: Where feasible, OCPS and Orange County shall work jointly to co-locate public facilities such as parks, libraries, community centers with public schools. Where such co-location occurs, both entities shall reach agreement that permits the school’s use of the public facilities and the public’s use of school facilities for community meetings and sports activities.
PS2.1.6: Links schools, parks, libraries and other public facilities with bikeways, trails and sidewalks.
PS2.2.5: Support and coordinate with School Board to locate new elementary schools within reasonable walking distance of homes serves by the school.
PS3.1.2: Coordinate with the School Board to ensure that both existing educational facilities and proposed school sites are accessible from and integrated into a planned system of sidewalks, trails, and bikeways.
PS3.1.4: Provide interconnected pedestrian access between neighborhoods to allow direct access to school sites and bus drop-off locations. N
1 Mile Radius
2/18/15
Figure Source: Orange County, Florida 2010 – 2030 Comprehensive Plan – Future Land Use Map Series

18. Backup Slides
2/18/15

19. Lifetime Cost Savings to OCPS
Pluris Water may be deemed unsuitable
County may need to correct water problem
At current site, county would have to take over entire system to fix school water
Which could be very expensive – system is in great disrepair.
At alternate site, county could extend and connect school to public water service
This avoids having to takeover Pluris to fix potential water problems
Transportation Savings – many less children to bus.
Closer for children bused from outside Wedgefield
Puts 52 Acres back on County Tax Roll
New site already county property – no taxes paid.
No RDD Taxes to pay at new site - $13k /yr for 52 Acres.
2/18/15

20. Public / Ranch Lands in East Central Florida
Acreage:
Hal Scott Regional Preserve: 9,387 Acres
Pine Lily Preserve (PLP): 403 Acres
Long Branch Park (LBP): 163 Acres
Savage/Christmas Creek Preserve: 200 Acres
Tosohatchee WMA: 30,701 Acres
Orlando Wetlands Park: 1,650 Acres
Seminole Ranch Conservation Area: 29,223 Acres
Charles Bronson State Forest: 10,945 Acres
(Includes Little Big Econ SF)
Total: 82,672 Acres
EPD Protected Wedgefield Wetlands: ?
Deseret Ranch: 290,000+ Acres *
Other Conservation Elements: > 100’s of Acres
* Spans portions of Orange, Osceola & Brevard Counties
2/18/15

21. Public / Ranch Lands in East Orange County
Charles
Bronson
O.W.P
Seminole
Ranch
Christmas
Creek
LBP
PLP
Hal
Scott
Wedgefield
Tosohatchee
Deseret
Ranch
There are vast portions of
public lands near Wedgefield.
Total: 82,672 Acres
Use 200 acres for Wedgefield School.
2/18/15

22. Public / Ranch Lands Highlighted
2/18/15

23. Public Lands in East Central Florida
Wedgefield
2/18/15