Open Letter to the Seminole County Planning & Zoning Commission: Stop Queen’s Crossing Development Plans!
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June 4, 2025
To the Esteemed Members of the Seminole County Planning & Zoning Commission,
We, the Save Florida Citrus Groves Foundation, alongside countless Floridians, write to you with a deep sense of urgency and concern regarding the proposed Queen’s Crossing development in Sanford, Florida. This project, which plans to bulldoze 1,500 acres of historic citrus groves, threatens not only the cultural and agricultural heritage of Seminole County but also its economic and environmental future. Our foundation, dedicated to preserving Florida’s citrus legacy, strongly opposes this development and urges you to reconsider or halt the destruction of these irreplaceable groves.
A Legacy at Risk
Seminole County is the birthplace of Florida’s modern citrus industry. In the 1870s, Henry S. Sanford planted groves near Crystal Lake, pioneering the cultivation of the Valencia orange—a variety that remains the backbone of Florida’s citrus economy today. These groves are not just agricultural assets; they are living monuments to the visionaries who shaped Florida’s identity. To bulldoze them for short-term development is to erase a chapter of our state’s history that cannot be rewritten.
Economic Contributions and Long-Term Losses
Citrus groves are more than nostalgic landmarks—they are economic engines. Florida’s citrus industry, despite its challenges, still contributes billions to the state’s economy and supports thousands of jobs. Seminole County’s groves, in particular, have been a source of livelihood for generations. The destruction of these 1,500 acres would not only eliminate jobs but also sever a vital link in the local agricultural supply chain.
Past examples illustrate the economic fallout of grove destruction. Along Highway 50, once lined with fragrant orange groves, the landscape now consists of sprawling developments. While these projects brought temporary construction jobs, they replaced a sustainable agricultural economy with one dependent on boom-and-bust real estate cycles. As one resident recalled in the Orlando Sentinel (1990), “We loved it across 50. You just smelled orange blossoms all the way. It was just one orange grove after another.” That heritage is gone, and with it, a piece of Florida’s soul.
Open Letter to the Seminole County Planning & Zoning Commission: Stop Queen’s Crossing Development Plans
Environmental Consequences
The environmental toll of bulldozing 1,500 acres of citrus groves cannot be overstated. These groves act as natural carbon sinks, provide habitats for wildlife, and help regulate local water cycles. Replacing them with concrete and asphalt increases the risk of flooding, soil erosion, and biodiversity loss—issues that Seminole County, with its proximity to sensitive ecosystems, cannot afford to ignore.
The decline of Florida’s citrus industry—production has plummeted 90% in the past two decades due to citrus greening and other pressures—makes the preservation of remaining groves even more critical. The Business Observer (2025) noted this dramatic drop, warning that further grove destruction accelerates the collapse of an ecosystem that supports not only agriculture but also the natural balance of our region.
A Call to Preserve Our Heritage
We urge the commission to consider alternatives to grove destruction. Incorporating the groves into the Queen’s Crossing development as green spaces or agricultural preserves would honor Seminole County’s heritage while still allowing for growth.
The foundation stands ready to collaborate with the commission and developers to explore sustainable solutions that balance progress with preservation.
As stewards of Seminole County’s future, you have the power to protect what remains of Florida’s citrus legacy. We implore you to act with foresight and responsibility, ensuring that future generations can still experience the scent of orange blossoms and the pride of our agricultural roots.
We urge you to reject this application and prioritize the preservation of our state’s agricultural legacy over short-term corporate profit.
Sincerely,
Adrian Bryce
Founder, Save Florida Citrus Groves Foundation
Read More:
Open Letter to the Collier County Planning Commission: South Naples Citrus Groves
The time to act is now.
Save Florida Citrus Groves Foundation: Donate today to help save the future of the iconic Florida orange