Osceola County changing rules for hotels, motels used as low-income housing

OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. — New rules are coming for owners of hotels and motels in Osceola County.

On Monday, leaders approved a new ordinance creating stricter guidelines for those motels and hotels converted into low-income housing.

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Officials said the goal is to help the quality of life of people staying there.

“We want to have a proper balance on our corridor,” Commissioner Peggy Choudry said. “We also want to make sure the improvements we make bring value to the property.”

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Choudhry said creating standards to the motels converted into low-cost apartments will help both the people living there and the county as a whole.

That’s why she’s one of four commissioners who pushed for new rules that include adding school bus stops near the right of way and banning conversions between Vineland Road and State Road 429.

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For motels on the 192 corridor, like Magic Castle Inn,  it will also require rec space and at least 75% of retail or restaurant space on the ground floor.

Debbie Buxton and David Safarti, who run Magic Castle Inn, said many of their customers are low wage workers and families who can’t stay in many other places. Safarti says the new rules will make it harder for prices to stay as low as they are and it could force those people out.

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Now the board is looking at ways to work with the owners on possible grants to offset costs, and to team up with nonprofits to help those struggling.

Commissioner Ricky Booth said it’s the price to pay to better all of Osceola County.

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“That’s the only way we can have more affordable housing,” Booth said. “To have an upgraded corridor, higher paying jobs and higher-end development.”

The board has also said it will try to work with owners, such as making exceptions on the retail or rec space if they don’t have room for it, but that will be done on a case-by-case basis.

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