{"id":145138,"date":"2026-02-05T20:16:17","date_gmt":"2026-02-05T20:16:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/145138\/"},"modified":"2026-02-05T20:16:17","modified_gmt":"2026-02-05T20:16:17","slug":"orange-county-to-hire-outside-counsel-to-fight-proposed-toll-road-through-county-land-wftv","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/145138\/","title":{"rendered":"Orange County to hire outside counsel to fight proposed toll road through county land \u2013 WFTV"},"content":{"rendered":"

, Fla. \u2014 Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings says the county is looking to hire outside attorneys to fight efforts by the Central Florida Expressway Authority (CFX) to take county-owned land for a proposed toll road through eminent domain.<\/p>\n

CFX plans to build State Road 534, a 14-mile toll road designed to relieve congestion on Narcoossee Road. <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Split Oak Forest in Orange County Orange County leaders to fight land transfer for CFX-proposed toll road (WFTV staff)<\/p>\n

A little over a mile would cut through Split Oak Forest, a protected conservation area. <\/p>\n

It would also cross through a portion of Eagles Roost Park, an Orange County-owned park adjacent to the preserve.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Eagles Roost Park in Orange County Orange County leaders to fight land transfer for CFX-proposed toll road (WFTV staff)<\/p>\n

CFX said the road would provide traffic relief in a rapidly growing area of southeast Orange County, particularly Narcoossee Road.<\/p>\n

Residents say they\u2019re willing to accept difficult tradeoffs if it means easing congestion, even if that includes building through conservation land.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can hate it, but we\u2019ve got to get something,\u201d said Nadja Graham.<\/p>\n

According to a memo written by CFX\u2019s general counsel, the authority plans to file eminent domain action for portions of Eagles Roost for the SR-534 project as early as Feb. 9.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Orange County toll road proposal could involve eminent domain Orange County leaders to fight land transfer for CFX-proposed toll road (WFTV staff)<\/p>\n

CFX\u2019s board declared roughly 44 acres of land in Orange County necessary for acquisition for the SR-534 Project. This includes just under three acres of land within Eagles Roost, a 232-acre park.<\/p>\n

Mayor Demings said in a letter sent to county commissioners Tuesday that Orange County is looking to retain outside legal counsel to fight CFX\u2019s potential use of eminent domain to take portions of the park.<\/p>\n

Demings wrote that hiring outside attorneys would help avoid any \u201cpotential political entanglements.\u201d He noted that the County Attorney\u2019s Office is already lean on staffing.<\/p>\n

The Mayor\u2019s decision comes after District 5 County Commissioner Kelly Martinez Semrad sent a memo to the Mayor and commissioners requesting outside counsel.<\/p>\n

Semrad\u2019s actions came after comments the Orange County Attorney\u2019s Office made during a Jan. 13 Commission meeting. She said an attorney warned the county would likely lose a legal challenge.<\/p>\n

\u201cA public purpose is a road, and that has consistently been found to be a public purpose,\u201d said attorney Debra Babb-Nutcher said. \u201cFor us to spin our wheels and waste our time. I\u2019ll do what you want.\u201d<\/p>\n

County Commissioner Kelly Semrad said those comments are exactly why she asked the mayor to seek outside legal representation.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The road would cut through part of Split Oak Forest and Eagles Roost Park in Orange County Orange County leaders to fight land transfer for CFX-proposed toll road (WFTV staff)<\/p>\n

Semrad and other county leaders argue transferring any portion of Eagles Roost or other protected land goes against the intent of a 2024 voter-approved charter amendment. The amendment requires a supermajority vote of the County Commission to sell, transfer, or change the use of county-protected lands.<\/p>\n

Nearly 80% of voters approved the amendment, and more than 86% voted to protect land adjacent to Split Oak Forest.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Split Oak Forest in Orange County Orange County leaders to fight land transfer for CFX-proposed toll road (WFTV staff)<\/p>\n

Semrad said the issue is about honoring the will of voters.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s super important for voters to still have public confidence that when we check a box in a ballot, when we go to vote, that our vote means something and I think voters deserve a fighting chance and a full defense that believes in the people,\u201d Semrad said.<\/p>\n

CFX declined to comment for this story.<\/p>\n

Click here<\/a> to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here<\/a> to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.<\/p>\n

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TOP STORIES FROM WFTV CHANNEL 9<\/p>\n

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