Orlando council approves 36‑month pause on historic‑preservation review in downtown core

The Orlando City Council voted on June 8 to approve on first reading an ordinance that temporarily changes how development projects in the downtown historic preservation overlay are reviewed, part of a broader push to accelerate private investment in the city’s core.

Council members voted 6–1 to substitute Appearance Review Board review for many certificates of appropriateness within the downtown historic district for a 36‑month period, while retaining staff review safeguards for demolition and requiring photographic documentation or incorporation of historic fabric into replacement projects. The ordinance was presented as a targeted, temporary measure to test whether streamlined procedures, combined with CRA incentives, will spur adaptive reuse of vacant and underused buildings.

David Barilla, director of the Downtown Development Board/CRA, said the city is investing heavily in the downtown core and needs private investment to amplify the effect. “We are now investing with your approval over $220 million in this area,” he said, urging council to give the proposed pilot time to demonstrate results.

Proponents including the Orlando Economic Partnership and the Downtown Orlando Partnership told council the existing Historic Preservation Board process creates entitlement uncertainty that deters lenders and developers. Tim Giuliani of the Orlando Economic Partnership said the suspension would “help spur development in the central business district and have a positive impact on restaurants, retail, and other small businesses.” Craig Usler, a longtime downtown developer, described the proposal as a reasonable attempt to recalibrate review standards to attract investment.

Opponents argued the measure risks irreversible loss of historic fabric and criticized staff and council for limited advance outreach. David Martins, a member of the Lake Eola Heights Historic Neighborhood Association and a former Historic Preservation Board member, said he was alarmed by the timing and process and warned that bypassing the board “is not the way to do good government.” Several preservation advocates called for a collaborative alternative rather than a temporary suspension.

Planning Director Jason Burton said demolition would still require staff historic‑preservation review and could not proceed without an approved replacement project. He described a potential incentive program under CRA authority that could rebate 50–75% of property tax for up to 10 years for projects that preserve and incorporate historic fabric.

Council members acknowledged the conflict between preserving historic character and unlocking investment. Multiple speakers and commissioners urged continued engagement with neighborhood preservation leaders; several commissioners said the city can terminate the temporary process earlier if it produces undesirable outcomes.

The ordinance passed first reading; the council may revisit the policy after monitoring development and incentives over the three‑year period, at which point staff will report back and council will decide whether to extend, amend, or end the pilot.