On January 20, 2011, the Spanish hotel group AC Hotels (Web | Facebook | Twitter) and Marriott International, Inc. formally announced their joint venture to manage and franchise a new lodging co-brand across Europe and Latin America – “AC Hotels by Marriott.”
At launch, over 90 existing AC Hotels in Spain, Italy and Portugal were be re-branded as AC Hotels by Marriott and entered into long term management or franchise agreements with the joint venture.
Orlando could be getting it's first AC Hotels by Marriott location soon.
James Willard, Shutts & Bowen, LLP is requesting to rezone a property in the Millenia neighborhood at 5403 Millenia Lakes Blvd (MAP) which is east side of Millenia Lakes Blvd., south of Millenia Blvd., west of the Mall at Millenia) from O- 2 to AC-2, and Master Plan approval to construct an AC Hotel and Residence Inn (both Marriott hotel brands) with a combined 254 rooms.
The project will consist of two (2) new 6-story hotels within a combined campus, with one main entry and separate drop-off and pick-up areas and loading areas facing Millenia Lakes Blvd.
In accordance with the Future Land Use Amendment approved by City Council on August 4, 2008 (GMP 2008-00007), which changed the future land use designation on the subject property from Office Medium Intensity to Urban Activity Center, Applicant now seeks to rezone the property to AC-2, consistent with the Urban Activity Center land use designation. Concurrently, the civil engineer for the contract purchaser of the property is applying for Master Plan approval of the same 4.04 acre parcel for a hotel use.
Staff finds that the proposed AC Hotel/Residence Inn rezoning, from O-2 to AC-2, and Master Plan is consistent with the require- ments for approval of rezoning and Master Plan applications as contained in Sections 65.366 & 65.335 of the Land Development Code (LDC):
- The proposed rezoning and Master Plan is consistent with the City’s Growth Management Plan.
- The proposed rezoning and Master Plan is consistent with the City’s Land Development Code.
- The proposed hotels meet the standards for development in the proposed AC-2 zoning district.
- Existing public facilities and services are adequate to serve the proposed development.