EATONVILLE, Fla. — It’s a historic property at the gateway to Eatonville, and the debate continues over who should control what is built there.

The Eatonville Town Council is fighting back against a contract that would see the Orange County Public School District sell the historic Hungerford property to Dr. Phillips Charities to be developed.

What You Need To Know

Members of the Eatonville Town Council want a 90-day delay on a contract to sell the historic Hungerford property to come up with the town’s plan for use of the land

 Some Council members say development must include housing and commercial properties that generate property tax revenue

 Orange County School Board could take a final vote on the contract at its Jan. 13 meeting

The Town Council wants Orange County Public School leaders to delay the current contract by 90 days to give them more time to come up with a plan for how they want the land to be used.

Monday night, Eatonville Town Councilman Tarus Mack expressed concerns about the deal to sell the Hungerford property, saying the majority of Town Council members and the city attorney were shut out of the discussions that created the contract. He claims Mayor Angie Gardner signed a memorandum of understanding with Orange County Public Schools leaders and Dr. Phillips Charities without including the Town Council in the process.

Mack directed his concerns to Gardner at the meeting. 

“We would not have had to hold this special meeting if you did not do what you did,” he told Gardner Monday night. “Are you saying to the residents of Eatonville that it was OK what you did?”

The existing contract includes plans for Dr. Phillips Charities to develop a hotel, affordable housing, a health care facility, green space and more.

Councilwoman Wanda Randolph said Eatonville should gain complete control of the Hungerford property land to help control what is developed there. Randolph wants to make sure the project includes housing and commercial properties that generate tax dollars to pay for police and fire services. Some leaders also want to see a town center built on the property. 

Gardner negotiated much of the deal with school district officials and Dr. Phillips Charities, and said she believes the existing deal is good for the town. 

“I believe that land has sat there long enough, and we should be able to move forward with the transaction,” Gardner said during Monday’s meeting.

The Eatonville town attorney and town manager will convey the Town Council’s concerns at an Orange County School Board workshop on Tuesday.