[Orlando]

Originally Posted by Makid

There is a fair to decent chance that the City Council will allow a 40+ story tower on the RWP location.

First, we need to remember that the SE corner of 2nd South and 2nd West is zoned for D1 (SE diagonal from the location). So it isn't too far away from a D1 zone.

Second, the Developer is currently seeking a D1 Zone update for that corner area as opposed to the D4 375' overlay that the Planning Commission recommended. At the time, the developer had stated they could accept the D4 overlay but the Planning Commission also wanted additional setbacks which to make the project pencil out would require additional heights above 375' making the D1 zoning update the only update that would work for the project.

Lastly, during the last City Council work session, in discussion regarding the Henry's Redevelopment project along 900s and the developers request for a rezone of the western parcel, the City Council as a whole all made comments regarding the need for additional heights throughout the city above current zoning. One member stated something along the lines of "we are a living and growing city". I do think it is very possible that the City Council would agree to increase the zoning, especially in the RWP corner, for the project as they do see that the City is growing and they would like to see it grow up.

Just an additional comment, it was nice watching the discussion on the project as every single council member was not just accepting of increased density and height but actually encouraging it. This was the same with regards to "The Exchange" in how the City Council was sad that the developer isn't able to build higher and they had to go through a CBDR for a slight increase already.

Whether or not the City will agree with the developer, a 40-story tower (assuming 440' tall hotel/residential tower) would stick out like sore thumb over there. I think it would be more fitting over on Arrow Press Square.