ORLANDO, Fla. — Orange County Commissioners are considering new measures to monitor the development of churches in rural areas.

In discussions Tuesday, the original agenda item called for an oversight committee and an immediate moratorium of any church permits or applications, but newly sworn-in Commissioner Kelly Semrad said the moratorium was off the table before public comment took place.

“I think the reason they said that in the beginning was to hopefully clear out some space. That’s why I chose not to get up and speak,” said Rob Garrett, Director of Operations at Discovery Church. “I thought it was very clear and thought Kelly did a good job.”

Garrett was one of many representing congregations that packed the meeting.

“I think there’s a lot of clarity that needs to be taken into consideration. There’s too much ambiguity,” he said.

Commissioners agreed to come back for a presentation in February.

The proposed framework focuses on community concerns like the potential impacts of large-scale church developments, such as mega churches, on the rural environment.

Several residents spoke in favor of the oversight committee, especially to protect Florida agriculture.

“I want to see everybody at the gates of heaven with me, but in this particular situation it has nothing to do with religion, it only has to do with how we preserve our rural area,” said Debbie Barbour.

As for Garrett, he isn’t against the oversight committee but wants all religious buildings to be treated the same, rather than churches to be the focal point.

“I’m kinda on the fence. I think it has a lot to do with who is on the oversight committee,” he said.

As for the future, the commissioners will come back on Feb. 11, 2025 with a presentation during a workshop session.