Juan Sanchez was just one of dozens of homeowners who packed a meeting room at the Valencia College Lake Nona campus where it was standing room only.
Like others, Sanchez lives near Lake Nona in the Wyndham Lake Estate area. He works in the health field and expects the Lake Nona area to thrive with development.
But instead of seeing his property values increase, he may have to give up his home to make way for the Osceola Parkway extension.
He just bought his home six months ago.
"They're talking about actually taking our home away, not only mine but about 17 homes in that specific area," said Sanchez.
Eminent Domain is when the government, like the Osceola County's Expressway Authority, can take control of a property and convert it to public use if it is for the greater good, so long as authorities pay fair market value.
"If you're a homeowner and if it's your new home, you expect to buy the home and probably be there the rest of your life," said Sanchez.
Because the parkway extension is on the county line, people living in Orange County are affected by the eminent domain plan.
One Orange County commissioner who showed up to Thursday's meeting said what's happening to these families is anything but fair. But doesn't think the county can do anything.
"I don't know. I don't know. The way the legislation is set up it's my understanding that we can't," said Orange County Commissioner Jenifer Thompson. She is calling on the Osceola Expressway Authority to meet with commissioners to explain what is going on and what can be done to prevent families like the Sanchezs from losing their homes.
Thompson believes the way homeowners were informed of the plans was flawed, which led to so many angry homeowners.
"Hands down unfair it should have been communicated," Thompson said.
Homeowners like Sanchez have hired lawyers to try to keep the Osceola Expressway authority from taking their homes.