City approves land‑use and rezoning package for UF Health South Campus parcels

The Gainesville City Commission voted unanimously April 2 to approve a land‑use amendment and matching rezoning for roughly 25.5 acres south of the University of Florida campus at the UF Health South Campus.

Planner Allison (Lisonbee) Pager told commissioners the request (LD25‑000104 and LD25‑000106) would change three parcels from Urban Mixed Use High Intensity (UMUH) to Office land use and rezone them from Urban 9 to Medical Services (MD). Staff said the Office land‑use designation is the only category that allows the MD special‑district zoning, and that MD is the specific district intended for hospitals and large medical facilities. Pager noted the MD district allows five stories by right and, for larger medical facilities, up to 14 stories with a special‑use permit and additional review by the plan board.

Ryan Thompson, agent for the applicant, said the parcels already host major UF Health facilities (Heart & Vascular Hospital, Cancer Hospital, emergency and trauma) and that the changes would bring them into conformance with other hospital campuses in the city. Thompson added the site is substantially developed and future redevelopment is likely to be vertical due to site constraints.

Commissioners asked about pedestrian improvements and sidewalk requirements, whether taller hospital buildings would require additional public review, and the timing of earlier rezoning actions on adjacent properties. Staff said sidewalks and other frontage improvements would be evaluated during development review, and that any structure exceeding the MD base height would require a special‑use permit with public engagement and plan‑board review.

The commission approved both the land‑use amendment and the MD rezoning on unanimous roll calls.

What happens next: Any redevelopment or buildings exceeding the MD base height will require separate special‑use and site‑plan review, neighborhood workshop and plan‑board review before construction permits are issued.