One notable issue addressed during the meeting was the rezoning of approximately 106.96 acres from A1 Agriculture to PLI Public Lands and Institutions. This change will facilitate the development of the proposed Midway Loop Trail and future recreational facilities, situated on the west side of Bristen Avenue, north of State Road 46. Currently classified as low-density residential and functioning as a stormwater retention pond with a history as a borrow pit, the site requires rezoning to accommodate the trail and associated amenities, which are not permissible under the existing A1 zoning.

The proposed 4,947-foot trail will include exercise equipment and a pavilion, and aims to connect to Rosland Park in future phases. Although presently without utility services, future amenities may necessitate their inclusion. The proposal includes modifications to integrate existing sidewalks along Bristen Avenue into the trail. This rezoning aligns with nearby public lands and institutional zones, including a school to the south.

Dan Hickok, Seminole County Parks and Recreation Project Manager, supported the project, emphasizing the community’s need for investment and the benefits this development would bring. During public comments, Emory Green Jr., executive director of the Midway Coalition, expressed strong support, highlighting the transformation from a neglected site to a prospective green space. Green emphasized the historical significance and the necessity of community involvement in future planning, particularly concerning utilities, describing the project as a critical step toward enhancing community assets. The board, after hearing public comments, recommended the Board of County Commissioners adopt the rezoning ordinance, with a decision expected at their meeting on August 12, 2025.

In another significant decision, the board deliberated on a special exception request for Mhai Sushi and Hibachi, a restaurant seeking to obtain an alcohol license despite being within 1,000 feet of a school. Located in a planned shopping center on Westlake Mary Boulevard, the restaurant’s proximity to a school falls short of the county’s land development code requirement of a 1,000-foot separation. However, the request met the four criteria necessary for an exception, and a community meeting held in June garnered staff support for the proposal with conditions.

The board discussed the prevalence of existing restaurants in the shopping center serving alcohol, noting many were grandfathered in. Gwen Chen, representing Mhai Sushi and Hibachi, elaborated on the restaurant’s concept of serving sake and sushi, stressing its compatibility with other dining options in the area. She addressed the lack of outdoor seating, citing restrictions at the shopping center’s entrance. Following the discussion, and without public opposition, the board recommended approval of the special exception.

Earlier in the meeting, the board reviewed the Nodding Pines preliminary subdivision plan for developing 31 single-family residential lots on 17.42 acres east of Nodding Pines Way. With a proposed density of 2.45 dwelling units per net buildable acre, the plan complies with the low-density residential future land use designation, allowing a maximum of four units per net buildable acre. The development will connect to county utilities for water and sewer, and staff found the plan compliant with the Seminole County Land Development Code. With no public comments or objections, the board unanimously approved the plan.