The development of the San Pedro grounds will honor, exhort, and uphold the Church’s teaching of respect and dignity of life addressing the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of a growing aging population and their families.

The Six Guiding Principles from the “How Shall We Grow?” Framework and Action Plan Are:

Preserve

One of the basic precepts of the design philosophy and development of the property is Preservation. The Diocese envisions developing the subject property by embracing the principles of sustainable development, smart growth and green building. As such, the design vision includes preservation of natural resources such as Lake Howell, its adjoining wetland system, upland areas, open space and natural vegetation.

Additionally, the project seeks to preserve the integrity of The Spiritual Center by enhancing its existing facilities, providing for its future expansion, and utilizing the expansive Lake Howell wetland system and other nature features as areas for contemplation and reflection.

Provide

The unique characteristics of the proposed project (location, natural assets) have enabled the Diocese to call for the ultimate design and layout of the project to provide for a host of items and opportunities that will protect and enhance the existing neighborhood and lifestyle experience for its future residents and users.

The project’s vision includes stewardship of the land (preservation, conservation and protection of natural assets), provision of a continuum of health care (skilled nursing and congregate care), housing opportunities (senior living residences), alternative transportation (internal shuttles, neighborhood electric vehicles) and mobility options.

By proposing the expansion of the cemetery, the Diocese dedicates this consecrated ground to serve the spiritual needs of the Catholic community and their families at the time of death.

Foster

The proposed project, through its vision as presented in the PD Preliminary Master Plan, will foster a “sense of community”. This “sense of community” is to be achieved by creating an integrated land use palate that clusters housing, health care, recreation and neighborhood retail/commercial uses in to viable, sustainable, green, walkable villages.

The Spiritual Center will continue to provide a distinct place for reflection in a setting that showcases the site’s vast natural resources.

Encourage

One of the most important precepts of the project is to provide for the dignity and respect of our senior population, embracing the beauty of life of each person as they age. The property will be developed so as to allow its residents to continue to be active, productive and independent, effectively to “age in place”.

Support health facilities will allow for aging couples to remain close throughout their remaining years should medical/health conditions require separation/special care.

Create

The intent of the Diocese of Orlando is to create an age-restricted village with all of the required support services and facilities within a design concept that respects the natural beauty and ecology of the land. The goal is to create an integrated village that is sustainable, environmentally sensitive, respectful of its residents and neighbors, and showcases architectural and land planning design and concepts that are reverential of the land. The proposed land use amendment sets the foundation for the creation of a senior village that embodies the following development precepts:

• Sustainability: The project will steward the responsible use of resources (both fiscal and environmental) to meet the needs of its future residents without jeopardizing the County’s ability to meet the needs of its future residents. The proposed amendment and subsequent development will not create urban sprawl, expand the urban service area or require expenditure of public funds for project infrastructure needs.
  
  
• Smart Growth: Through the implementation of sound land planning and architectural design concepts and precepts, the development of the project will focus on preserving the dignity of the land through the protection of the environment (Lake Howell, the Lake Howell wetland system, flora and fauna), creating a livable/integrated community that provides the continuum of housing and health care options for seniors, and providing for a sacred space for the burial of Catholics in the East Central Florida area.
  
  
• Green Building: The project intends to implement green building and development techniques that promote economic and health benefits for its residents, the surrounding communities and the environment. Such techniques may include: green roofs, building orientation, recycled materials, alternative transportation modes, xeric landscaping, cisterns, and the like.

  Build

The type of community and facilities proposed allows elderly persons to age with dignity by providing them with health care at their fingertips and encouraging them to remain active until more direct care is needed. Comparable living alternatives are not readily available to the aging community of Central Florida; however, demand for these communities will continue to rise in the coming years. Furthermore, the mix of office space that is proposed is anticipated to attract medical providers, which, in addition to serving the residents of this specific community, would create more health care opportunities for the greater Seminole County area.