Orlando Medical Plaza requests an amendment to its Planned Development ordinance to allow development of a 112-room, 9-story hotel between the two existing medical office buildings. This project, which may be developed in two phases, includes the renovation of a portion of the northernmost medical office building into hotel space.

When presented to the Municipal Planning Board in July 2013, this project consisted of 85 hotel rooms and included the possibility of a pedestrian bridge connection from the hotel to Orlando Regional Medical Center, across Orange Avenue. Since that time, the applicant has withdrawn the bridge concept and increased the number of hotel rooms to 112. However, the building mass and height remain unchanged.

Per the City’s Growth Management Plan, this property is designated Office Medium Intensity (OFC-MED) on the Official Future Land Use map. OFC-MED allows hotel and restaurant only as “secondary” uses to the principal permitted use. The proposed project complies with this standard, as the hotel and restaurant square footage are less than half of the overall project.

Approve the attached ordinance number 2013-63 on first reading and request that the Mayor and City Clerk present the draft ordinance for second reading and public hearing at the next regular City Council meeting.