Mystery Mixed-Use Project Planned in Protected Land Area

ORLANDO-Lake Paxton Reserve is the name of a planned 2,000-acre mixed-use development on the Rybolt Ranch bordering the protected east side of the Econlockhatchee River in Orange County, about 15 miles south of Downtown and near the University of Central Florida campus and the Central Florida Research Park.

But ranch owner Eloise Rybolt denies to friends and associates any venture is being planned for the controversial river area which has served as a haven for wildlife and a barrier to commercial development for the last 30 years at least, Orlando brokers intimate with the east Orange County submarket tell GlobeSt.com on condition of anonymity.

Rybolt couldn’t be reached at GlobeSt.com’s publication deadline. But county staffers tell GlobeSt.com no formal rezoning application has been received from either Rybolt or any third party purportedly representing her interests. Staffers say such an application would receive a cool reception since the county is committed to keeping the east side of the Econlockhatchee free from development interests of any kind.