Downtown Orlando

The Development Review Committee (DRC) is a group that has been appointed by the Downtown Development Board (DDB) to review proposed plans for compliance with the overall Downtown Plan and the requirements of the Downtown design guidelines. The group is made up of seven volunteers who have expertise in the building, design and development disciplines.  If you have further questions after reading through the information below please do not hesitate to contact Lakisha Hull, Planner III/DRC Coordinator, via email at Lakisha.Hull@cityoforlando.net. 

How do I submit a project for review by the DRC?

Below are the qualifications for submission and application for review forms for the DRC. Please download and complete the application and return it to the Downtown Development Board/Community Redevelopment Agency (DDB/CRA) office, in order to have your project reviewed. You will be contacted with the details of the review process once your application has been submitted.

Under the City Code you are required to submit your project for review by the DRC if it is:

• Located in the CRA District
• Visible from a public right of way

The following types of projects within the CRA District require review by DRC:

Forms Available:

Land Development Code regulations for DRC:

Sec. 65.121. Committee Membership and Officers

Membership. The Committee shall consist of seven members appointed by the Chairman of the Downtown Development Board with consent of a majority of the Board. Five members of this Committee shall either live, work or own property in the Downtown area as described in Figure 1. At least four members shall be chosen from the following professional fields: planning, architecture, landscape architecture, sign/graphic design or law. Remaining members shall be selected from the Orlando Downtown community.

Sec. 65.123. General Functions, Powers and Duties.

Applications Review. The Committee shall review applications and make recommendations to appropriate reviewing authorities regarding approval, denial, and where applicable, conditions to be placed upon approval, for developments within the Downtown Development District and Downtown Community Redevelopment Area (DCRA) (see illustration).

Prepare Ordinances and Design Criteria. The Committee shall prepare and recommend to the Downtown Development Board and Municipal Planning Board, ordinances and design criteria to promote orderly development within the Downtown Development District in accordance with the adopted Growth Management Plan.

Application Fees. The Development Review Committee may establish a schedule of fees which shall not exceed the administrative costs of reviewing applications for project applications received. Fees shall be subject to approval by resolution of the DDB and City Council.

Other Duties. The Committee shall carry out such other duties as may be assigned to it by the Downtown Development Board.

Sec. 65.124.  General Requirements.

DDB/DRC Review Required.  The Development Review Committee (DRC), a subcommittee of the Downtown Development Board, is responsible for reviewing aspects of land use, physical design and removal of building and/or structures within the Downtown Development District and the Community Redevelopment Agency district. All projects falling within these district boundaries are subject to review by the DRC. The DRC, in conjunction with the Planning Official and/or other respective boards, is responsible for making all determinations regarding intent of design criteria listed below. Requests for variations to these criteria must be submitted in writing, with all required support information, to the DRC and all other appropriate reviewing agencies. See Chapter 65 Part 4F, Downtown Development Board/Development Review Committee Review Procedure for more information.

Sec. 65.510.  Review Procedures.

All development in the Downtown Development District and Downtown Community Redevelopment Area (see Section 65.123) requiring a building permit or involving an exterior alteration visible from the public right-of-way shall require Downtown Development Board staff or Development Review Committee (DRC) review. Items reviewed include: construction, alterations, restoration, relocation, demolition, landscaping/sitework, color and the placement and design of advertising material. The DRC shall also review any application within the DDB/DCRA district which requires review by the Technical Review Committee, Municipal Planning Board, Board of Zoning Adjustment or Historic Preservation Board.