How did Horizon West come to be?

Let’s take a walk through time together so you can learn the fascinating history of your chosen hometown! 

From Orchards to Urban Community

As people from around the world continue to settle in Horizon West, many newcomers might not be aware of the deep historical roots that helped shape this community. For generations, this land was primarily a thriving citrus-growing region, owned and operated by local families whose livelihoods depended on the orange industry. However, a series of severe freezes in the 1980s and early 1990s drastically altered its outlook, pushing farmers and landowners to reconsider the future of their land. Recognizing this history helps us understand how Horizon West evolved from a patchwork of farms into the dynamic, master-planned community we see today.

A Lifelong Grower Takes a Stand

Jerry Chicone, Jr., a lifelong citrus farmer with a family history spanning six decades, was among those impacted. After the 1985 freeze, he led efforts to replant, hoping the next season would bring relief. However, a harrowing Christmas weekend in 1989, with record low temperatures, demonstrated that recovery wouldn’t come easily. In an interview with the Orlando Sentinel, Chicone stated, “I’ve invested too much, and after three freezes in seven years, I’m no longer just a farmer—I need to think about the future of this land.” Recognizing the shifting landscape, he started advocating for a new purpose for their land—one that could sustain families even as traditional agriculture declined.

Growing Pressures and Changing Land Use

For decades, the land’s future was shaped by outside influences. The opening of Walt Disney World® Resort in 1971 and the subsequent influx of tourists brought unprecedented growth. Spaceship Earth, SeaWorld, the Orange County Convention Center, and Universal Studios transformed the region into a bustling hub, fueling demand for homes and infrastructure. Seeing this expansion, Chicone envisioned the eventual need for communities to serve the booming tourism industry and its workers.

By 1991, county planners responded with a growth management plan that designated much of the rural southwest for agricultural use only. As a result, these fertile lands lost their economic viability—they could no longer produce oranges profitably or be sold for development, leaving landowners at a crossroads. A pivotal meeting at the Ranch House Restaurant in 1992 laid the groundwork for a collective response, as local growers and developers sought a long-term solution to their land’s future.

Planning a Vision for the Future

Recognizing the value of the land’s high elevation and well-drained soil, stakeholders envisioned a new kind of development—one that balanced growth with preservation. Jim Karr, a seasoned real estate broker, and land planner Jim Sellen, who had experience as Orange County’s planning director, joined forces to develop a comprehensive plan. They established Horizon West Inc., a nonprofit aimed at guiding this transformation.

In the mid-1990s, community workshops gathered public input on what Horizon West could become. Inspired by the principles of New Urbanism, the vision was to create interconnected “villages,” each comprising multiple neighborhoods with a variety of homes, schools, parks, and walkable town centers. The goal was to craft a collection of small, vibrant communities that fostered a strong sense of neighborhood while supporting regional growth. County officials saw the potential and amended regional planning policies to accommodate this innovative vision.

From Dream to Reality

By 1997, the first village—Lakeside—received approval to begin development. Over the next two decades, Horizon West grew from a patchwork of burnt-out groves into one of Central Florida’s most ambitious planned communities. The community’s founders aimed to turn hardship into opportunity—transforming land once defined by citrus orchards into a place where families, neighbors, and new businesses could thrive.

Today, more than 25 years later, Horizon West continues to evolve, guided by the same spirit of resilience and innovation. Its history reminds us that challenging times can inspire lasting change—once grounded in necessity, now rooted in community. Just like those early pioneers, we look toward the future with hope and determination to build a community that respects its past and embraces tomorrow.