Ordinance No. 2024-12 extends a six-month temporary moratorium on the acceptance, processing, and consideration of applications for development orders, development permits, building permits, and zoning approvals for nightclubs in the Downtown Orlando Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) area.

The original moratorium was adopted on March 20, 2023 (Ordinance No. 2022-78) and was set to expire on September 20, 2023. The Ordinance was extended for the first time on August 14, 2023 (Ordinance No. 2023-25) and lasts until March 20, 2024.

This Ordinance will extend the moratorium until September 20, 2024.

During the moratorium, City Staff is considering ways to appropriately regulate nightclubs within Downtown Orlando, whether it is changes to Chapter 33 regulating alcoholic beverages or changes to the City's Land Development Code.

This extension is needed to allow more time for research and outreach.

The reasons for this moratorium are varied, yet due to the high concentration of nightclubs in the area, and include:

• Safety and security within the downtown
• Negative secondary effects of the high concentration of nightclubs, such as loitering, noise, public intoxication, and cruising by both patrons and non-patrons attracted to the current mix of late-night uses and
• The lack of daytime activity caused by businesses, such as nightclubs, that are only open in the late-night hours

The original Ordinance No. 2022-78 contains safe harbor provisions for nightclubs that are not yet open but may be within a current permitting or other process prior to opening.

Approving Ordinance No. 2024-12 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.