EATONVILLE, Fla. — Eatonville leaders are expected to discuss several proposals Tuesday night tied to the future of the historic Hungerford property as questions remain about the project’s timeline and next steps.
A meeting is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Eatonville Town Hall.
The discussion comes weeks after officials learned development work might not begin this fall as originally anticipated because approvals are still pending and a final plan has not yet been completed.
The Hungerford property, a 117-acre site purchased by Dr. Phillips Charities from Orange County Public Schools, has been the focus of ongoing conversations in the town.
Earlier this year, Dr. Phillips Charities unveiled a community master plan that included green space, an early learning center, a community hub, healthcare services, a hotel and possible future affordable housing.
At Tuesday night’s meeting, council members are expected to consider funding a request for proposals to hire development consulting and advisory services related to the Hungerford property. According to the meeting packet, the goal is to help review development plans, ensure projects align with Eatonville’s land development code and support the town’s long-term financial goals.
Council members are also expected to discuss creating a Development Review Committee that would examine large-scale projects and provide recommendations before projects move forward.
The Hungerford property remains a significant topic in Eatonville because of its historic importance and the potential impact future development could have on the community. Some council members had fought the project before plans to move forward with it were approved, partially because the property was once home to a school for Black students that opened in the 1800s. Those council members said the town of Eatonville should have control of the land because of its significance. Other concerns were the economic impact the project would bring to Eatonville and the possibility that it could increase homelessness and raise taxes.