Orange County panel clears new vision plan for I-Drive

Property owners of large swaths of land in the International Drive tourism corridor are worried that a new vision plan for the district will rush development.

The I-Drive 2040 Vision Plan, created by the Convention Plaza District Review Group, would create a unified look and development plan for Orange County’s downtown.

The proposal, which was unanimously approved by the Orange County Planning and Zoning Commission on Friday, next goes to the Board of County Commissioners for two public hearings.

Under the vision plan, properties could face a deadline to start construction three years after they receive vested-rights certificates. The plan was approved after it was amended to allow a one-year extension for the vested-rights certificate if the developer or landowner could show good reason for delays.

Property owners are not subject to any deadlines to start development once they own land or have submitted plans to the county. Deadlines would go into effect after receiving the certificate, which can in some instances protect against newer zoning changes.

Michael Candiotti, an attorney with Latham, Shuker, Eden & Beaudine, said his clients, SLRC Holdings, thought no timeline should be given to property owners.

SLRC Holdings, a company affiliated with Universal Orlando, bought 475 acres in the tourist corridor at the end of 2015. Universal has not said how the land would be used. Part of the parcel already had themepark entitlements, which the vision plan would extend to the entire property.

Candiotti said SLRC Holdings does not want to pursue a vested-rights certificate if it would expire.

Commission members agreed, saying three years seemed too short a time frame.

“I can foresee things on some occasion taking longer than three years’ time,” said commissioner Jose Cantero.