800 N Orange Asks For More Surface Parking, City Of Orlando Staff Think Their Own Requirements Are Too Strict

By Ken Storey

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In the Uptown District between the Park North condos and the new SteelHouse on the west side of Orange Ave sits a small lot that has a number of proposals for it over the years. In the March 26^th Board of Zoning Adjustment we find the newest plans for the site.  The new plans are seemingly asking for a more suburban style four story building for the site.  The site calls for only 38 surface parking spaces where typically only 6 would be allowed.  Also the setback from area buildings, in this case Park North condos, of 46ft where only one of 25ft is maximum.  The new plan calls for a new building for this empty lot but one with such a surface parking will really take this budding dense district and set it back (no pun intended) placing more into that of something from MetroWest, not downtown.  The approval does line up with a similar one that was issued in 2008 but has since expired.

Parking Map via the City of Orlando BZA Staff Report

The new proposal calls for a 56ft tall, 5 story, 21,900 sq ft office building with surface parking and covered first floor parking.  City staff point to the fact that it would be difficult to develop the site to meet the lot requirements while also being appropriate in regards to the condos and apartments that are found near the property.  

The proposed view from the Park North condos

View from SteelHouse apartments and the law offices located just south of the lot

While some renderings are provided in the City of Orlando Board of Zoning Adjustment Staff Report we actually find much better plans in a link that was provided over on UrbanPlanet.  The Baker Barrios created 19 page document seemingly provides ever view possible of the proposed building.

View from Orange Ave looking south from 801 N Orange.