A relief school in Orange County is one step closer to becoming reality.

The Orange County Board of Zoning Adjustment on Tuesday approved the settlement plan for a relief school for West Orange High School. About 3,900 students attend West Orange High School — which is about 800 more than the school's capacity.

The new relief school would be built to accommodate about 2,800 students, but the football stadium would be about one mile away from the campus.

Parents and community members had one more opportunity Tuesday to voice their concerns about a new school that would relieve overcrowding at West Orange High School.

At a meeting earlier this month, the Orange County Commission approved a plan to build the school along County Road 535, just north of Ficquette Road.

Dozens of people turned out for that meeting, but only a handful of people showed up to Tuesday's meeting.

In the end, the zoning board approved the settlement plan.

School leaders have been looking for ways to combat overcrowding at West Orange. The debate between the School Board and the County Commission has lasted about two years and has also seen two civil lawsuits.

"We know the children need a high school," said June Cole, who opposes the relief school. "We want a high school. This is not the right location. We don't feel it's the right location."

Jane Dunkelberger, who is in support of the school, added: "It's a bittersweet compromise, but there are many parents that would like to see this move forward."

The County Commission will make a final vote to rezone the property at 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 5.