Pine Hills Community Council Backs “Henry 3” Map in Orange County Redistricting Process

As Orange County undergoes a major redistricting effort to adjust for population growth and the expansion from six to eight commission districts, community leaders in Pine Hills are throwing their support behind one proposed map the group submitted: Henry 3.

Dr. Latanya Nichols, the current President of the Pine Hills Community Council, says the map is rooted in years of community planning and public input. “This isn’t a map we just drew up on a whim,” Nichols said in a recent phone interview. “It’s built on what residents, business owners, and stakeholders said they wanted—restoration, redevelopment, and economic growth in Pine Hills.”

The Henry 3 map is one of seven submitted redistricting maps currently under consideration by the Orange County Redistricting Advisory Board. All three are available for public viewing on the Orange County Redistricting website.

That’s a real concern for us.”

Nichols emphasized that the Henry 3 map keeps the majority of Pine Hills within District 6, preserving its historical and cultural identity. While a small portion of the community would fall into District 8 to ensure an equitable population balance, Nichols said the team behind Henry 3 was intentional about keeping Pine Hills as unified as possible.

“Our main focus was fairness and equity, but also keeping our community intact,” she said. “The other maps—when you look at them—you’ll see how significantly Pine Hills is split.

The Pine Hills Community Council, consisting of nine board members, has formally supported the Henry 3 map. Nichols confirmed it is the only map backed by a majority of the council.

Nichols is scheduled to present the map to the Redistricting Advisory Board during a public meeting. At that meeting, the board will vote on which maps will move forward in the process. According to Nichols, some maps have already been approved in recent weeks, and decisions are being made on a rolling basis.

Once the Advisory Board narrows down its selections, the approved maps will be presented for public review and feedback, likely in September. A final decision will then be made based on community input and a public vote.

“This map preserves our history,” Nichols added. “It reflects the planning we’ve been doing for years and allows the Pine Hills community to move forward with one voice.”

As Pine Hills residents continue to track the redistricting process, Nichols encouraged community members to visit the county’s redistricting website, view the proposed maps, and get informed about upcoming votes.

“This is about making sure our voices are heard,” she said. “We want a map that represents the will and vision of the people.”

For more information on the Orange County redistricting process including the other proposed maps, please visit www.ocfl.net/OpenGovernment/Redistricting2025.aspx.