Homeowners near Shingle Creek say they fear a newly approved development could change their neighborhoods, raising concerns about flooding, traffic and wildlife after Orange County commissioners allowed the Tuscana project to move forward.

After years of debate over the proposed development, commissioners voted 4-3 to approve the Tuscana land-use plan.

For some nearby homeowners, the debate is personal.

“This area means everything to me,” one homeowner said.

Another homeowner said the wildlife surrounding the community was one of the reasons they chose to live there.

“This area with all the deer and wildlife here are why I bought this house,” the homeowner said.

Commissioners voted 4-3 Tuesday to approve the Tuscana land-use plan after unanimously rejecting the proposal in May 2025. The Tuscana plan calls for more than 4,800 apartments and around 1,000 hotel rooms across nearly 230 acres in the Shingle Creek Basin, of which includes close to 59 acres of wetlands.

One homeowner described the commission’s decision simply: “I’m mortified.”

When asked about their biggest concerns surrounding the development, another homeowner pointed to flooding and the potential impact on wildlife.

Supporters of the proposal, including Shingle Creek Co-Owners LLC and Geyer Development LLC, say the project includes measures intended to address flooding and protect wetlands, including partially elevated access roads.

The commission reconsidered the project after a Special Magistrate recommended that commissioners revisit the landowners’ application. Some commissioners who supported the project also expressed concern about the county’s potential financial exposure if the property owners pursued litigation

Shingle Creek Co-Owners also says the project would create thousands of jobs and generate more than $600 million annually for Orange County once fully built out.

In a statement following the vote, S. William “Bill” Moore of Moore, Bowman & Reese, speaking on behalf of Shingle Creek Co-Owners, said:

“Shingle Creek Co-Owners appreciates the Orange County Commission’s careful consideration of the Special Magistrate’s findings and its decision to approve the Tuscana Land Use Plan and Conservation Area Impact Permit.

“For years, the 176 individual property owners have worked through the county’s public review process and have sought a reasonable use of privately owned property that the County has long designated for high-density development. The Special Magistrate’s independent review confirmed our belief that the previous denial was not supported by competent, substantial evidence and unfairly burdened the use of the property. This rezoning comes with specific conditions requiring the developers to guard against flooding and to provide for wetlands protection.

“Tuscana has been thoughtfully designed to balance environmental considerations with private property rights and the need for housing and economic opportunity in one of Orange County’s most important tourism corridors. Beyond providing protection from flooding, larger wetland buffers and significant environmental mitigation and preservation, this plan also provides thousands of jobs and over $600 million annually to Orange County at full build-out.

“We appreciate the Commission’s willingness to reconsider the facts and follow the process established under Florida law. We look forward to continuing to work collaboratively with Orange County as Tuscana moves forward.”

Opponents, however, say Tuesday’s vote does not end their involvement.

Lee Perry with Protect Shingle Creek said the group plans to meet with candidates running for Orange County Commission as it considers what comes next.

“We’re in an election year, so having a new county commission come in, they can rescind the decisions of the existing board,” Perry said.

For homeowners living near the basin, the focus now shifts to how the development moves forward and what a project of this size could eventually mean for their daily lives.

“It’s just too much,” one homeowner said. “If we lose this, we lose a lot.”

Neighbors say they plan to keep a close eye on the project as it moves through additional steps before construction.