'It takes a movement': Pine Hills advocates revisit idea to become an independent municipality
By: Senait Gebregiorgis | Reporter Updated: 11:20 PM EDT Mar 9, 2025
PINE HILLS, Fla. — Places like Ocoee and Winter Garden in Orange County have their own government, and now some people in Pine Hills want the same independence.
"This conversation started because we felt that it's something we needed to do, and we met the criteria, which is number one, of being over 40,000 residents," said Sandra Fatmi-Hall, vice president of the advocacy group Pine Hills Community Council.
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The community council says becoming an independent municipality is something they’ve been trying to bring to fruition for more than 20 years, but the topic was recently brought up at a meeting.
"Yes, this is what we want, but it takes a movement and a momentum to get it going," said Fatmi-Hall.
There are more than 80,000 residents in Pine Hills and advocates believe having their own mayor and law enforcement could make a difference and carve out a path towards a brighter future.
"You have to work towards that collectively," Fatmi-Hall said. "We can't get anything done unless we're working together."
Among several things, increasing safety is a priority. Some residents want to create local policies that cater to their needs.
"I understand that there's feelings and I understand that there's hurt, but that conversation needs to take place so that when we go at this, it is effective," Fatmi-Hall said. "It doesn't just happen overnight. We have to follow the Florida law. We have to follow the statutes."
The president of the community council, Dr. Latanya Nichols, says the process will be challenging.
"There are lots of pros; however, there are other aspects of it, such as the local businesses have to buy in," Nichols said. "We've been to the board of county commissioners, in the past and have solicited to have our own municipality as well as it's been on the ballot in the past, several times has been on the ballot."
Pine Hills Community Council will continue the conversation and hold a meeting every first Tuesday of the month at the Orange County Multicultural Center.
