Interoffice Memorandum
DATE: March 12, 2025
TO: Mayor Jerry L. Demings and County Commissioners
THROUGH: N/A
FROM: Tanya Wilson, AICP, Director Planning, Environmental, and Development Services Department
CONTACT: Alan Marshall, Environmental Policy Coordinator,
PHONE: (407) 836-5884
DIVISION: N/A
ACTION REQUESTED:title
Shingle Creek Basin and St. Johns River Basin Technical Studies
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PROJECT: Shingle Creek Basin and St. Johns River Basin Technical Studies
PURPOSE: On April 8, 2025, staff will provide a work session for the Board relating to the results of technical studies conducted on two drainage basins in Orange County: Shingle Creek and St. Johns River. These studies are part of a multi-part phased effort to assess the current state of the County’s natural resources, identify areas of concern relating to growth associated with future population increases, and consider improvements to the County’s permitting standards.
In 2021, the County began a comprehensive review of its wetland permitting processes and standards, located in Orange County Code, Chapter 15, Article X. As part of that review, staff contracted Drummond Carpenter, PLLC to conduct an in-depth “State of the Wetlands” study to serve as a baseline for future work on updating the code. One of the conclusions of the report focused on areas of concern for future development. Based on hotspots of wetland losses and analyses of potential future risk of wetland loss, the most vulnerable remaining wetland areas within Orange County include:
- St. Johns River - upper and lower portions
- Shingle Creek
- Cypress Creek
- Groundwater vulnerable wetlands in southwest Orange County, including
Reedy Creek
On September 13, 2022, staff presented a comprehensive work session on the Shingle Creek basin detailing the history of the area, land ownership, water quality and quantity data, drainage protocols, and potential protective measures. This work session originated from a request from District 1 Commissioner Nicole Wilson to better understand how the County can ensure clean water, protect against inland flooding, and promote the Shingle Creek basin as a site for eco-tourism. One of the outcomes of the work session was Board direction to research potential benefits of special protection for the Basin.
In 2023, staff worked with the Planning Division to finalize draft language in Vision 2050 (Comprehensive Plan) identifying the Shingle Creek and St. Johns River basins as sensitive and in need of special protection and requiring the County to establish ordinance protections to protect them. This language would need to be in the adopted Comprehensive Plan before the Board could approve Special Protection Area standards.
In February 2024, staff retained Drummond Carpenter PLLC to conduct the two basin studies. Reports were submitted to the County in early March 2025, and results and findings are represented in this work session. The work session will provide background on the issues, the study approach, study results, proposed options for protection, and next steps.
While staff may seek general direction from the Board, no formal action is requested at this time.
BUDGET: N/A