Planning and Zoning Commission - 2025-12-18
Meeting Intelligence Preview
Meeting Summary
The Orange County Planning and Zoning Commission held its December 18, 2025 meeting, denying two rezoning requests (C-1 to C-3 at 18966 East Colonial Drive in the Bislow rural settlement, and a future land use change at 7501 Liverpool Boulevard), while approving a C-2 restricted rezoning at 4200 South Orange Blossom Trail for automobile sales with conditions. The commission also approved a 48-unit single-family development (Hartzog Homes PD) in Horizon West, a hotel/retail project at 14445 State Road 535, and two Habitat for Humanity affordable housing projects.
Key Decisions (8)
Rezoning at 18966 East Colonial Drive from C-1 to C-3
Ali Asadi requested rezoning from C-1 Retail Commercial to C-3 Wholesale Commercial for a 0.27-acre vacant property in the Bislow rural settlement. Staff recommended denial due to lack of specific development proposal and inconsistency with rural settlement policies requiring neighborhood-serving commercial uses. Community meeting had 9 attendees in opposition.
Rezoning at 4200 South Orange Blossom Trail from C-1 to C-2 Restricted
Fernando and Delfina Tata requested rezoning from C-1 to C-2 for automobile dealership use. Staff initially recommended denial due to proximity to single-family residential to the west, but provided alternative recommendation. Commission approved with restrictions after applicants demonstrated property improvements and cleanup efforts.
Hartzog Homes Planned Development Rezoning
Request to rezone from RT-2 (mobile home/single family) to Planned Development for 48 detached single-family dwelling units on property north of Lake Gifford Way and east of Tollcross in District 1 (Horizon West). Minimum lot size 2,880 square feet, maximum 3 stories/45 feet.
Future Land Use Amendment at 14445 State Road 535 (Paradise Hotel PD)
CES International LLC requested change from Activity Center Residential to Activity Center Mixed Use for 5.93-acre site to allow up to 280 hotel rooms and 20,000 square feet of retail. Property reverting to original 1992 entitlements. Under contract to Caribe Royale for overflow parking and hotel expansion.
Future Land Use Amendment at 7501 Liverpool Boulevard
Juan Vasquez requested change from Low Density Residential to Commercial for 0.27-acre vacant property at corner of North Goldenrod Road and Liverpool Boulevard in District 5. Proposed C-1 uses with restrictions. Staff and commission found incompatibility with surrounding residential neighborhood despite applicant's proposed restrictions on hours, uses, and 8-foot concrete wall buffer.
Future Land Use Amendment at 1600 Columbia Street
Sixteen Hundred Columbia Street LLC (represented by Rebecca Wilson) requested change from Low-Medium Density Residential to Commercial for 0.45-acre property zoned C-3 since 1985. Staff recommended denial due to location at entrance to residential neighborhood despite proximity to Amazon distribution center and industrial uses in City of Orlando.
Future Land Use Amendment at 1709 Wakula Way (Habitat for Humanity)
Habitat for Humanity requested change from Low Density Residential to Medium Density Residential for 3.34-acre property in District 6 to allow lot split for two single-family affordable homes. Property to connect to city water and sewer.
Future Land Use Amendment at 4911 LaGrange Avenue (Habitat for Humanity)
Habitat for Humanity requested change from Commercial to Low Density Residential for 0.34-acre property in District 6 donated by Orange County. Request creates consistency between zoning (R-1A) and future land use for single-family detached affordable home.
Zoning Changes (3)
18966 East Colonial Drive, District 5 (Bislow Rural Settlement)
Ali Asadi
4200 South Orange Blossom Trail, District 6
Fernando and Delfina Tata
North of Lake Gifford Way and East of Tollcross, District 1
Hartzog Homes
Development Activity (5)
Hartzog Homes PD
48 detached single-family dwelling units on RT-2 zoned land. Minimum lot size 2,880 sq ft, minimum lot width 32 feet, minimum lot depth 110 feet (90 feet on alley). Maximum 3 stories/45 feet height.
Paradise Hotel PD Expansion
Up to 280 hotel rooms and 20,000 square feet of retail on 5.93 acres. Reverting to original 1992 entitlements. Closing expected next month.
4200 South Orange Blossom Trail Auto Dealership
Automobile dealership on existing auto repair site. Building and parking improvements planned. Site cleanup already completed.
Habitat for Humanity Wakula Way
Lot split for two single-family affordable homes on 3.34 acres. Connected to city water and sewer.
Habitat for Humanity LaGrange Avenue
Single detached affordable home on 0.34 acres donated by Orange County.
Market Signals (5)
Housing Demand
Commission expressed strong support for affordable housing projects, with multiple commissioners praising Habitat for Humanity's work and noting Orlando metro area has 53% ownership vs 47% rental rate, with 62% of renters cost-burdened.
Commercial Demand
Caribe Royale acquiring Paradise Hotel PD site for overflow parking and additional hotel rooms indicates continued tourism/hospitality sector expansion near Disney area.
Sentiment
Commission showed increased scrutiny of commercial rezoning requests adjacent to residential areas, with multiple denials citing need to protect residential neighborhood boundaries from commercial encroachment.
Infrastructure
Vision 2050 comprehensive plan update remains stalled due to state legislation issues; Senate Bill 840 filed but does not fully address problems created by Senate Bill 180.
Housing Demand
Applicant at 4200 S OBT referenced reliance on Vision 2050 Orange Code website showing permitted uses that were never made effective, highlighting confusion in development community about future land use regulations.