Board recommends approval of Office Depot redevelopment into 500‑unit mixed‑use CIMD

The Planning & Zoning Board on Jan. 2 voted 5–0 to recommend City Council approval for the redevelopment of the Office Depot World Headquarters at 6600 North Military Trail into a four‑phase Commercial‑Industrial‑Multifamily Development (CIMD).

Staff presentation: Heather Waldstein, senior planner, explained the project would demolish approximately one‑third of the existing office complex, add about 42,800 square feet of retail and restaurant space, a 36,000‑square‑foot fitness and wellness facility, and an 8‑story building with 500 residential units (10% affordable). Staff supported a temporary technical deviation that would reduce required parking by six spaces during early construction phases; full on‑site parking will be restored once phases are complete.

Applicant presentation and conditions: Applicant representative David Millidge presented site plan renderings, described sequencing that places demolition first followed by retail and the gym and concluding with the residential, and clarified a scrivener’s error regarding affordable units (50 units, equal to 10% of 500). The applicant said it will work with staff to refine timing and condition language before council.

Board action: After closing the public hearing with no speakers in opposition, the board voted 5–0 to recommend approval and forwarded the resolution and conditions to City Council.

Why it matters: the redevelopment reuses a large corporate campus to add housing, retail and recreation space and aims to integrate pedestrian connections and public plazas. The temporary parking deviation affects construction sequencing only; full parking will be available when the project completes later phases.