Large destination resorts.

(1) It is the intent of the Legislature to promote and sustain national and international tourism to this state by encouraging the ongoing maintenance, renewal, renovation, and improvement of large destination resorts. The Legislature finds that a uniform, statewide approach is necessary to avoid inconsistent local regulation that impedes improvements and to ensure predictability and timeliness in the development and improvement of qualifying large destination resorts.

(2) As used in this section, the term:

(a) “Large destination resort” means a public lodging establishment as defined in s. 509.013 that is comprised of at least 5 contiguous acres owned and controlled by the same business entity, containing at least 500 guest rooms, and that has had an average occupancy rate of at least 70 percent in the past 3 years.

(b) “Minor” means a special exception or variance that applies to no more than 20 percent of the total area of the parcel.

(3) A local government must administratively approve, without further action by the local government or any quasi-judicial or administrative reviewing body, any application for a minor special exception or variance submitted by a large destination resort for the maintenance, modification, or refurbishment of an existing structure or site that is not a contributing structure which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places, provided such changes are consistent with the existing permitted or accessory uses in the land use category of the local government comprehensive plan or zoning district in which the structure or site is located at the time the large destination resort applies for a building permit or any other permit with respect to the changes.

(4) This section expires July 1, 2031.