“Innovation Way” is an area in southeastern Orange County that includes a portion of Deseret Ranches. Innovation Way is envisioned by Orange County and its mayor, Richard Crotty, as an economic development center and hub for Central Florida, with vibrant, transit-served communities. In 2006, Orange County adopted policies designed to further this vision. These policies designated a portion of Deseret Ranches known as “Innovation Way East Area” as a key part of the vision for Innovation Way. At 4600 acres, the Innovation Way East Area forms approximately 15% of the entire Innovation Way study area.

The owner of Deseret Ranches has filed for a comprehensive plan amendment with Orange County for Innovation Way East. The County comprehensive plan is maintained to show where growth may occur over the next twenty years. The amendment has been filed in response to numerous regional and local studies considering major transportation and utility routes on this property, including expressways, commuter rail, and a jet fuel supply pipeline from the port to the airport. The proposed plan amendment is intended to facilitate good long-range planning of the property to ensure that Mayor Crotty and Orange County’s vision for Innovation Way becomes a reality and in order that wise decisions can be made about regional transportation and utility systems.