§ 38-1390.2. Purpose and intent.

The purpose of the Town Center Planned Development Code is to implement the Horizon West Town Center, as more fully set forth in the Orange County Comprehensive Plan, and more specifically in Future Land Use Element Goal FLU4 and its associated objectives and policies. The goals, objectives and policies related to the Horizon West Town Center and Comprehensive Plan are based upon the development principles listed below. These principles are included to illustrate the intent supporting the Town Center PD Code and shall be utilized, where necessary, to determine how the Town Center PD Code will be applied in cases of uncertainty.

(a)

The purpose and intent of the Town Center PD Code is as follows:

(1)

To implement the goals, objectives and policies related to the Horizon West Town Center and found in the Orange County Comprehensive Plan.

(2)

To support the Horizon West Villages by accommodating greater employment and commercial uses than planned for Village Centers.

(3)

To concentrate commercial development in the Town Center rather than in radial, strip, isolated, or ribbon development patterns, providing commercial service and civic support uses within one-half-mile walking distance of residential, office, and employment uses.

(4)

To create a compact urban mixed use development, within the Traditional Town Center Core and Corporate Neighborhood Center, supported by a diverse mix of uses that provides necessary employment, commercial, housing and lifestyle opportunities for current and future residents of Horizon West.

(5)

To plan employment (office) areas in conjunction with residential and retail areas, creating integrated, mixed-use neighborhood units.

(6)

To develop an interconnected system of local streets, regional and local transit routes, bicycle trails and routes, and pedestrian walkways.

(7)

To create a variety of higher density neighborhoods that incorporate a mix of housing types as well as limited neighborhood-scale commercial and office uses.

(8)

To provide a system of linked civic, recreation public open space uses, and wetland and lake edges that create a significant network of functional open spaces.

(9)

To accommodate higher density and intensity of development through the implementation of innovative stormwater techniques or stormwater master plans for each Neighborhood Planning Area.

(10)

To combine compact urban form, an emphasis on land uses providing jobs and community-regional retail uses that will reduce the vehicle miles of travel typically generated by single-use developments and those lacking internal roadway connectivity.

(b)

The purpose and intent statements will be achieved through the application of the following Horizon West Town Center Principles.

(1)

Development Pattern.

a.

Planning for Town Center should be considered in the context of the greater Horizon West, West Orange County, and East Lake County, making Town Center a critical element of the regional environmental, transportation and land use systems.

b.

The long-term vision for Town Center should promote a framework that will evolve and redevelop into a compatible, but rich mix of land uses that combine to create active, lively neighborhoods and enhance the quality of life for residents of Horizon West.

c.

Town Center shall have a well-defined core, developed with emphasis on traditional city planning and design principles.

d.

The Town Center PD Code and design requirements for Town Center should address the objective of creating livable and sustainable places that improve with time.

(2)

Employment Housing Balance.

a.

Town Center shall provide office, retail and light-industrial land uses with regional market bases, to become a major Orange County employment center with a full spectrum of employment opportunities.

b.

Town Center shall serve the retail and commercial needs of the residents of Horizon West and surrounding areas; it shall not be designed as a tourist destination.

c.

To ensure the sustainability of Horizon West, Town Center shall accommodate the demand for appropriate regional and community land uses, which may not otherwise be located within a village.

d.

Town Center shall contain a diversity of housing types to enable citizens from a wide range of economic levels and age groups to live within its boundaries.

e.

The Traditional Town Center Core shall include residential development, especially higher-density residential uses, along with retail and office uses, to ensure employees have an opportunity to live close to where they work.

(3)

Transportation.

a.

Town Center development should recognize the importance of the automobile, but strive to minimize its adverse impacts and maximize pedestrian safety and walkability.

b.

Town Center should promote a balanced transportation system that provides freedom to choose alternative and energy-efficient transportation modes.

c.

Town Center developments shall have direct access to the interchanges of the SR 429 "Western Beltway" providing convenient connection to the Central Florida Region.

d.

Town Center developments should encourage and accommodate linkage with the regional transit system.

e.

Town Center should provide a connected, integrated system of collector streets, local streets, pedestrian walkways, bike paths and recreational trails.

(4)

Environment and Open Space.

a.

The development regulations for Town Center should address water management, including water quality, water balance, innovative stormwater management and low impact development techniques.

b.

Town Center should contain an ample supply of open space, parks, greens and squares whose frequent use is encouraged through proper placement, connectivity and design.

c.

Civic, recreation public open space uses, and wetland and lake edges should be linked to create a significant network of functional open spaces winding throughout Town Center.

d.

Town Center should provide for the protection of floodprone areas, lakes and wetlands.

(Ord. No. 2013-02 , § 1, 1-29-13; Ord. No. 2018-08 , § 3, 4-10-18)