Winter Garden Advocates for Revised Map 2 to Strengthen Municipal Collaboration

The Orange County Mid-Decennial Redistricting Advisory Committee meeting on August 12, 2025, spotlighted a pivotal discussion on the proposed redistricting maps, particularly Map 2, which aims to unite the cities of Oakland, Winter Garden, Ocoee, and Apopka. Ed Williams, representing Winter Garden, urged the committee to adopt this map with revisions, emphasizing the strong collaborative ties among these municipalities.

Williams highlighted the urgency of the proposal, noting that Winter Garden and its neighboring cities are rapidly running out of developable land, which could impact future population growth. He pointed out that Apopka still has significant vacant land, but the map's representation of the area may be misleading due to geographical features like Lake Apopka and the Wekiva Protection Area.

A key advantage of Map 2, according to Williams, is its focus on District 1, which encompasses Horizons West and Disney International Drive—areas projected to experience rapid population growth. By adjusting the boundaries to include smaller regions, the committee could better manage population balance and growth rates.

Williams concluded by expressing confidence in the committee's ability to address the remaining issues and urged support for Map 2, incorporating feedback from the meeting. The discussions set the stage for further refinements as the committee moves closer to finalizing the redistricting plans.