Lionsgate World Resort

[WAJAS]

^WRONG. It's at the Northeast quadrant of International Drive and Sand Lake road. It'll occupy the land that includes the current Perkins restaurant, the 7-11, and the vacant parcels behind Popeye's and FishBones (including the old bowling alley).

This ones right.

 

[ChrisFL]

^WRONG. It's at the Northeast quadrant of International Drive and Sand Lake road. It'll occupy the land that includes the current Perkins restaurant, the 7-11, and the vacant parcels behind Popeye's and FishBones (including the old bowling alley).

Ah, it must have changed then, the original plans were to put it where Walgreens/Friday's was

 

[P@n!K_Sw1tC#]

^ Since the original announcement date, the complex has always been where I said it's going. The Fridays is now an almost complete Mangos multilevel night club. A parking structure is also being build adjacent to that.

 

[*Q*]

The actual point of my post that you fine anal retentive folk seem to have missed was that the Orlando Eye is not "a lot farther from Universal than this would be." Measuring it out on Google Maps, the Skyplex site and I-Drive 360 are only a half mile apart.

 

[Teebin]

The actual point of my post that you fine anal retentive folk seem to have missed was that the Orlando Eye is not "a lot farther from Universal than this would be." Measuring it out on Google Maps, the Skyplex site and I-Drive 360 are only a half mile apart.

Well, sorta yes but the additional distance together with the lessened height creates a distant yet unobtrusive object in the OE. I count 10,400' to the OE (from the center of IOA lagoon) and 7,600' to this proposed skyplex plus its 500' plus height would create a different profile. See the google earth recreations created previously.

 

[*Q*]

Well, sorta yes but the additional distance together with the lessened height creates a distant yet unobtrusive object in the OE. I count 10,400' to the OE (from the center of IOA lagoon) and 7,600' to this proposed skyplex plus its 500' plus height would create a different profile. See the google earth recreations created previously.

I just really don't think Universal is concerned so much with sightlines, I think they're just trying to avoid another yet shopping and dining complex to compete with CityWalk. I think there's a chance that they're using the height issue to try to kill the thing altogether.

 

[ThreePack Shagur]

If the residents of Dr. Phillips have lived next to Universal for the past 25 years and not complain, than neither should Universal about the Poler Coaster. Where were they to block the 400ft Ferris wheel? If Universal is going to be doing this kind of stuff then they might as well buy out all of I-Drive. Eyesore I snore. Stop this malarkey and build this coaster!

uh....Dr. Phillips complaints are the reason there's a big wall behind Dueling Dragons, no high-in-the-sky fireworks shows, and why IOA is almost never open at night.

 

[WAJAS]

Does anyone know if those models on the past pages were made using the 700 ft height or the actual 582.5 ft? The bit that goes higher than that is just an antenna/spire that you can barely see.

 

[Teebin]

Does anyone know if those models on the past pages were made using the 700 ft height or the actual 582.5 ft? The bit that goes higher than that is just an antenna/spire that you can barely see.

The OP said 50' story building is what he erected... so 500'.

An example of why I am opposed is the Four Points Sheraton Hotel with the big ball on top. That thing has always accosted (how dramatic) my senses from within IOA. That place, including the ball is about 250'.

 

[Bobharlem]

Does anyone know if those models on the past pages were made using the 700 ft height or the actual 582.5 ft? The bit that goes higher than that is just an antenna/spire that you can barely see.

The building model was from a placeholder (building height, not including spire was 570ft).

I found an actual (untextured) polercoaster model and re positioned it to the correct location, I attached it here. (download and rename it to Polercoaster.kmz to view it in google earth)

It came from Google's sketchup 3d warehouse, and I only modified the lat/long to put it in the correct location by the Northeast corner of I-Drive & Sand Lake. If anyone is good with Sketchup (I'm not) they can create a model there and drop it into google earth.

Model From:
https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/model.html?id=7a89179c2e8423bea354880d62f19b51

File with it placed at the correct location is attached

 

[Donald Razorduck]

uh....Dr. Phillips complaints are the reason there's a big wall behind Dueling Dragons, no high-in-the-sky fireworks shows, and why IOA is almost never open at night.

Are there neighboring residential areas to this property? If not, then why is that line of arguement even an issue. Sounds like bad location planning on UNI's part on their restrictions. This just reeks of protectionism. I sense a touch of UNI homerism over this.

 

[Bobharlem]

Are there neighboring residential areas to this property? If not, then why is that line of arguement even an issue. Sounds like bad location planning on UNI's part on their restrictions. This just reeks of protectionism. I sense a touch of UNI homerism over this.

yes there are quite a few in Dr. Phillips. And the HOAs were there at the meeting to argue against it. (Look at the google earth sightlines from the neighborhoods to know why)

 

[WAJAS]

yes there are quite a few in Dr. Phillips. And the HOAs were there at the meeting to argue against it. (Look at the google earth sightlines from the neighborhoods to know why)

The HOAs were not at the meeting. Universal got one HOA to send an email to the board at 5pm the night before speaking against it. The email was almost obviously orchestrated by Universal as it even quoted Universal in it.

The fact is when you move near I-Drive you are going to have to deal with structures like this near you.

 

[Teebin]

Are there neighboring residential areas to this property?

For everyone that doesn't like to look at maps.

 

[Donald Razorduck]

Where's the poler coaster location on that map or will you have to zoom out. Looks like Dr. Phillips neighborhoods are clear on the other side of I-4 with Uni and more between them.

 

[WAJAS]

For everyone that doesn't like to look at maps.

I know some people that used to go to that high school. All the students walked over to Uni every few Fridays.

 

[Bobharlem]

More "internet detective" work:

From nextdoor.com in the section for the Orange Tree neighborhood behind Universal: (Names removed)

Hello everyone,

Attached find a Rezoning Staff Report to be presented on behalf of Skyplex Orlando, the same company that brought us the Orlando Eye. They have filed an application with Orange County to rezone five parcels containing 11.46 acres from C-2 with a 50-foot height restriction to a PD with a development program that includes the construction of a 700-foot high tower structure with a roller coaster-type attraction. This tower would span 300 feet higher than the Orlando Eye. There is also word that this same developer plans on adding a zip line and big swing to the attraction at a later date.

When Universal was built almost 20 years ago, Orange County intervened in their application process with the City to ensure that the rides and lights could never disrupt the neighboring communities’ line of sight. Our communities worked together with Universal, Orange County and the City of Orlando to come up with the 200 foot height restriction still imposed on Universal today. If the County approves the Skyplex Orlando Planned Development application, it will totally undo any preventative measures currently in place.

I’ve inserted a link below that shows the project plans:
Skyscraper - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Orange County Zoning has a hearing tomorrow morning at the Orange County Building located at 201 S. Rosalind Avenue, Orlando, Florida, 32801. The suggested arrival time for those who would like to speak regarding the Skyplex application is 9:30am. Please join us in asking the committee to limit the height of the tower to 300 feet based on the distance of the attraction from its neighboring communities, and the overwhelming visual eye sore and noise pollution it would impose on those who call Dr. Phillips home.

We thank you for attending to represent your community.
Skyscraper (roller coaster) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
en.wikipedia.org

SkyplexRezoning Staff Report hearing date 10-15-15.pdf
Shared with Orange Tree-Dr. Phillips + 16 nearby neighborhoods in General
Thank 7 Reply 6

S----m, thank you for informing our community about this and thank you for all your hard work. We ALL need to make an effort TONIGHT and voice our concerns. There has to be a height limit. The Orlando Eye is an eye sore, this will be to. Our voices can make a difference.
Thank Flag
S from Orange Tree-Dr. Phillips 3d ago

So far so good! Keep up the letters, everyone. Please also watch for the December public hearing notice. Let's preserve the beautiful Dr. Phillips community we all know and love.

Fox News reported:

16 2015 08:08AM EDT

There's a major setback for a plan to build the world's tallest roller coaster in Orange County.

The Orange County Planning and Zoning Commission voted against rezoning the “Skyplex Project” which includes the new “Polar Coaster."

Developer Joshua Wallack blames Universal after executives voiced concern about the height of the project.

Skyplex has F.A.A approval to build a 700 foot tall structure but Wallack says the rollercoaster would only be 500 feet. Universal which is located near neighborhoods is limited to a height of 200 feet for its rides.

A Universal spokesperson declined to comment on the issue.

Wallack says his property is in the county and Universal is in the city and therefore should not have to abide by the same rules.

Some people who live in the area sent a letter to the county asking the structure to be no more than 300 feet.

Even though the Planning and Zoning board voted against the project, the entire County Commission will still have the final say.

A public hearing will be held in December.
S from Orange Tree-Dr. Phillips 3d ago

Here's a link to another article by the Orlando Sentinel: Orlando Business News - Orlando Sentinel

Please email your elected officials at:

Mayor@ocfl.net,
district1@ocfl.net,
district2@ocfl.net,
district3@ocfl.net,
district4@ocfl.net,
district5@ocfl.net,
district6@ocfl.net

Orange Tree Phase II authored their own letter and is fighting this project to preserve what is left of the Dr. Phillips community; not to benefit Universal Studios. The Orlando Eye has already polluted our sky lines. Just imagine the impact a 700 foot tower with jumbotrons lining the top would have.

C----- from Orange Tree-Dr. Phillips 3d ago

Thank you! So happy to see this defeated. I don't mind working for a theme park, but I don't want to be forced to live in one.

A----- - from Orange Tree-Dr. Phillips 3d ago

"After intense lobbying by Universal Orlando, the Orange County Planning and Zoning Commission voted 4-3 Thursday against a rezoning for the Skyplex project on International Drive near Orlando." It would be nice to know who voted for it - this is too close of a vote.

Edited 3d ago
Thank Flag
S------ from Orange Tree-Dr. Phillips 15h ago

We personally know the developer his daughter is in the same class as my daughter. He also used to own Dellagio and built the rental housing on Maguire Road and built Trader Joes. He is very charismatic and is able to achieve whatever he wants. I'm glad this did not go through.

The actual rezoning report is attached. Hopefully that answers a lot. Any confusion on where it's going is answered in that pdf.

 

[Teebin]

Wow, I never knew that Universal has a zoned 200' height restriction, period. Here we have been worried that they would building something taller that would require a light on top. Not gonna happen!

 

[CatCatCat]

To add to Bob's post, here's a nice illustrated view of where the Skyscraper polercoaster will be located, along with the rest of the Skyplex complex:

 

[SeventyOne]

Where's the poler coaster location on that map or will you have to zoom out. Looks like Dr. Phillips neighborhoods are clear on the other side of I-4 with Uni and more between them.

The closest residences are all apartments (whose residents aren't known for caring about zoning issues). Dr Phillips and Williamsburg could possibly see the tower, might make a better case for traffic issues, but neither is particularly close. Nobody right on top of this thing.