Lake Ivanhoe tower approved
A developer’s scaled-back plans for a residential tower along Lake Ivanhoe won approval from Orlando’s planning board Tuesday, despite the objections of some locals who argue the Broadstone Lakehouse project is still too large.
The project goes next to the City Council for consideration, likely May 15.
Developers argue the tower will be a boost for Ivanhoe Village, the district just north of downtown known for its eclectic mix of one- and two-story buildings that contain boutique shops and eateries.
The board rejected earlier designs that called for a 10-story, 288-unit tower that would replace Baldwin-Fairchild Funeral Home at 301 N. Ivanhoe Blvd. Developers with Alliance Realty Partners have since shrunk their plans to a nine-story building with 260 units. The project would still include 79 more units than the property’s zoning would typically allow, requiring a waiver from the city.
“The developer is asking for something it is not entitled to, and the trade-off for that is we as residents get something in return,” said Tom Young, a local attorney opposing the project. “I don’t want to be shortchanged on that.”
After failing to win the planning board’s support last month, representatives of Alliance Realty held a community meeting at the Marks Street Senior Center, hoping to win over locals skeptical of their plans.
“We actually are very appreciative of the input of the board and neighbors, because we believe that the project we’re presenting today is actually a much better project,” said James Johnston, an attorney for Broadstone Lakehouse.
The revised plans discussed Tuesday attempted to address some of the residents’ critiques by incorporating public art to make the tower’s appearance more distinctive and a groundfloor cafe facing Ivanhoe Boulevard. Several residents said Tuesday the changes were an improvement but still fell short of getting their support. Broadstone Lakehouse would cram too many new residents into an already crowded area, they said.
“I do think that the current iteration of this project is much improved over the first version,” said Carol Hendren, a resident of nearby Terrace Boulevard. But the number of units, she added, still “creates an alarming precedent for density in the Ivanhoe Village area.”
Roland Hillier, who owns a pair of buildings near the project, including the North Orange Avenue home of The Lucky Lure bar, argued Broadstone Lakehouse would irreparably harm the uniqueness of Ivanhoe Village.
“Don’t do this,” he said. “It’s not worth it. Once this thing is built and it’s in the ground, it’s going to be there forever.”
City planners supported the project both times it came before the board, arguing its size is justified by its proximity to amenities such as Lake Ivanhoe Park; major roadways, including Interstate 4 and Orange Avenue; a major employer, Florida Hospital; and a SunRail station.
Another major residential project, The Yard at Ivanhoe, is expected to bring 630 apartments to 7.6 acres a half-block to the east of the Broadstone Lakehouse site, as well as 57,000 square feet of retail space.