Orlando pauses Downtown Historic District review for 3 years

Orlando City Council voted 4-2 on June 22 to pause parts of the review process for development in the Downtown Historic District for three years. The ordinance takes effect Aug. 10 after city attorneys said the delay was needed to satisfy state notice rules.

Under the current rules, exterior changes in the district need a certificate of appropriateness from the Historic Preservation Board, and major changes such as alterations, additions, new construction, relocation and demolition require a board hearing. The city says the district was designated in 1980, covers eight square blocks and includes about 80 structures.

During the pause, district projects will be reviewed under Appearance Review Board standards and downtown design guidelines instead. The ARB is an advisory board that reviews certificates of appearance, and city staff said it does not weigh historic preservation the same way the preservation board does. Supporters say the change could make downtown investment more predictable; critics warn it weakens protection for some of Orlando’s oldest buildings.

For property owners, the practical change is simple: renovation, redevelopment and demolition plans in the district will follow a different process this summer. Residents who want to track the issue should watch the Aug. 10 effective date and any longer-term review of the ordinance.

Sources

• WFTV: Orlando commissioners approve new downtown development process
• WUSF: Orlando drops historic preservation review to boost downtown development
• City of Orlando: Certificate of Appropriateness for Major Review