Florida Forever approves putting Hi Oaks Ranch on list for possible future conservation in 2027

A state committee has approved putting Hi Oaks Ranch on the Florida Forever conservation list for state acquisition starting in 2027 to protect it from development. Repeated efforts to convert rural ranches into residential neighborhoods have heightened tensions between the county and developers eyeing environmentally sensitive land in East Seminole County.

Seminole County requested the acquisition at a presentation last week to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Acquisition and Restoration Council, also known as the ARC council. 

“It’s really one of the largest remaining undeveloped privately owned properties in the county,” said Richard Durr, the director of Seminole County Parks and Recreation, to the ARC council. “The county is looking for an active partner to help make this happen.” 

The ranch property borders the Econ River Wilderness Area, with the two sharing the riverfront. That wilderness area is managed by Seminole County. It’s also within the Florida Wildlife Corridor.

Development on the property was proposed in 2018 for what was dubbed River Cross, which would have had 600 single-family homes, 270 townhouses, 500 apartments and 1.5 million square feet of commercial space. The nearly 670-acre development was beyond the rural boundary separating more densely developed areas from the rural landscape typical of East Seminole County County. Commissioners would have had to approve moving the rural boundary line to allow the development, a controversial move that would have gone against votes by residents opposing changes to the character of the rural area.

County Commissioners did not move the rural boundary, and the developer sued and lost. Ultimately, Seminole County sued former Rep. Chris Dorworth for legal fees over the project.

Recently, Florida’s Attorney General has questioned the legality of rural boundaries, like the one in Seminole County, which has led to speculation that state lawmakers could try to undo them.

“Thank you again for your consideration of this opportunity to acquire this really important tract for Seminole County and a critical tract for completing the Florida Wildlife Corridor in this region,” Durr told the Florida ARC council. “Its potential to be added to the corridor further enhances and supports not just the county’s but the state’s mission of protecting and managing these critical lands statewide.”

Hi Oaks Ranch the No. 1 conservation project for Seminole County

Seminole County is also looking to preserve Hi Oaks Ranch. 

In 2023, Seminole County established its own land conservation program, known as Seminole Forever. 

In total, 10 projects were put on the list for consideration for Seminole County and ranked by a committee. Hi Oaks Ranch was the No. 1 project by the committee, getting 44.5 points out of a 50 point system. 

“We have some rough estimates in terms of what we think the property might cost, again these are just rough, back-of-napkin estimates,” Durr told the Seminole County Commission at a November meeting to go over the rankings. “We just asked the question of the land owner, where do you think you are on price, knowing it could all change.”

It’s also the most expensive project, with a potential price tag of $35 million. Seminole County has been putting money away for the Seminole Forever program, and has about $10.7 million currently available.

The county could use some of that money to pay for the due diligence on the property to get it ready as a Florida Forever program candidate. Seminole County successfully shepherded the Yarborough Ranch project through Florida Forever, culminating with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis approving the project in March of 2024.

“We learned some great lessons through the Yarborough (Ranch) process on how to leverage funds,” Lockhart said in November. “Because not every piece of property being preserved or [which] could be preserved in Seminole County has to be purchased by Seminole County. Once we buy it, it’s ours to maintain.”  

According to documents submitted to the state, the tract would increase the protected land along the Econlockhatchee floodplain and help protect a connection along the river between Hal Scott Preserve and Little Big Econ State Forest. Protection of the site’s uplands and wetlands would also contribute to water quality protection for the Econlockhatchee and St. Johns rivers.

The land is predominantly pasture. According to the applicant, there are rare plants and animals on the site, including Florida black bears, gopher tortoises, sandhill cranes, southeastern fox squirrels and garberia wildflowers.

The ranch is in a region where FWC classifies the Florida black bear as “frequent”, and this species is presumed to use the property. “Restoration of the property’s uplands would enhance the area’s suitability for a variety of rare and imperiled species,” the report states.

“I’m actually ecstatic [the property owners have] taken the initiative to do the right thing with their land,” said Katrina Shadix, executive director of Oviedo-based nonprofit Bear Warriors United.  

Shadix said this is exactly what Floridians want lawmakers to do with money set aside for conservation. 

“It’s super exciting if they approve this,” Shadix said about the idea of the state acquiring the ranch for conservation. “This is what the majority of Floridians voted for, so it’s exciting to see the will of voters respected and carried out in this time of hostile politics in Florida.” 

Abe Aboraya is  Report for America corps member.