2025 Growth Management Plan Refresh

Orlando’s Growth Management plan (GMP) is a comprehensive plan outlining the City of Orlando’s vision for the future and translates that vision into goals, objectives and policies across fifteen (15) elements. First adopted in 1991, the GMP has been updated periodically throughout the last 30 years to reflect changes in state law as well as changing conditions over time. 

The current GMP is divided into two components:  

  • An adopted Policy Document that contains the goals, objectives, policies, maps and figures that are used to evaluate development proposals and City investments; and
  • A Support Document containing the data and analysis upon which the goals, objectives and policies are based. 

Both components must be consistent with the requirements of Chapter 163, Florida Statutes, the State Comprehensive Plan (Chapter 187, Florida Statutes), and with the goals and policies of the East Central Florida Regional Planning’s Council’s 2060 Strategic Regional Policy Plan. The Policy Document is adopted by the Orlando City Council and any changes to that component of the GMP must be submitted to the Florida Department of Commerce for review and approval.

The city is looking to restructure the current GMP to achieve the following during the refresh process:

  • Clearly reflect our community’s shared vision for the future;
  • Significantly shorten, clarify and arrange into easy-to-read and understand chapters tied to the overall vision organized by the following themes: livability, mobility, infrastructure, conservation and sustainability and governance;
  • Combine the Support and Policy documents to show the direct relationship between the overall vision, statutory guidance, data and analysis trends, goals, objectives, policies, maps and figures all to make the document more readable and understandable to everyone 

 

Proposed New Format

Chapter 1 - Vision Statement and Introduction
(Including a new "How To Use This Plan" section)

Chapter 2 - A Vibrant, Livable, and Inclusive Community
(Future Land Use, Housing, Preservation and Design, Parks, Recreation and Open Space, Cultural Arts, and Property Rights)

Chapter 3 - Safe and Convenient Mobility Options
(Transportation/Mobility, Repurposing Our Streets, Vision Zero)

Chapter 4 - Efficient and Well-Maintained Infrastructure
(Stormwater and Aquifer Recharge, Potable Water, Wastewater (Water Reclamation), and Solid Waste)

Chapter 5 - A Beautiful and Environmentally-Friendly Community
(Conservation and Sustainability)

Chapter 6 - Responsible and Accessible Government
(Capital Improvements, Intergovernmental Coordination, Public School Facilities, and GMP Monitoring and Evaluation)

GMP Refresh Timeline

Key Dates (Tentative and subject to change) GMP Refresh
March 18, 2025 Municipal Planning Board (MPB) Workshop #1:
  • Chapter 1 - Vision Statement and Introduction
  • Chapter 2 - A Vibrant, Livable, and Inclusive Community
  • Chapter 3 - Safe and Convenient Mobility Options
April 15, 2025 MPB Workshop #2:
  • Chapter 4 - Efficient and Well-Maintained Infrastructure
  • Chapter 5 - A Beautiful and Environmentally-Friendly Community
  • Chapter 6 - Responsible and Accessible Government
May 20, 2025 MPB review/approval GMP refresh (complete document)
July 14, 2025 City Council - first reading of GMP refresh-related amendments
July/August 2025 Florida Department of Commerce/Review Agency commenting period
September 8, 2025 City Council - second reading and adoption of GMP refresh-related amendments
October 2025 Effective date of GMP refresh-related amendments

Draft Chapter/Element Documents

 

Presentations

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is this GMP refresh considered a major change? 
No. While the GMP will be restructured to be easier to use and understand, the City’s overall planning vision and policy framework will remain consistent with the currently adopted comprehensive plan document. The GMP refresh will integrate some new concepts including age-friendly, future-ready, resiliency, and healthy community design. Staff believes it is critical to maintain a consistent community planning vision over time while also understanding new planning topics will arise and should be considered.

What is the time frame for Orlando’s GMP? 
Comprehensive Plans generally have time frames, or planning periods, of 10 to 30 years. The planning period for Orlando’s GMP refresh will go through the year 2050.

Will my property’s Future Land Use designation or Zoning change? 
No. This GMP refresh is intended to update and refine the comprehensive plan but will not result in any changes to the future land use designation or zoning for individual properties.

Is this similar to Orange County’s Vision 2050 Plan and Orange Code?  
No, Orange County’s Vision 2050 Plan and Orange Code project is much broader in scope. Recognizing that many parts of Orange County have become more urban over time, the County is updating its comprehensive plan to reflect its changing development pattern. Their new approach aims to encourage more integrated, mixed-use and sustainable development. Their updates also include revisions to land development regulations to better align with current needs and growth patterns. The City has been planning for urban mixed-use development throughout its history, and these principles have been included in the GMP since its adoption in 1991, meaning that large scale changes are not needed.

 What does this mean for me? 
We hope that the GMP refresh will provide Orlando residents and businesses with a better understanding of how our community can grow and mature over time. 

Contact us

Paul Lewis, Chief Planning Manager
407.246.3358
paul.lewis@orlando.gov

 

Michaelle Petion, Planning Manager
407.246.3837
michaelle.petion@orlando.gov

 

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