Daytona Beach Considers Zoning Change to 120-acre Parcel

Daytona Beach City Commissioners got their first look at a request to rezone a 120-acre parcel at the northeast corner of the intersection of LPGA Boulevard and International Speedway Boulevard for a mixed-use development project.

According to information in the staff report provided by the developer, the project is designed to create a mixed-use development with residential units and commercial space in an underutilized area of the city “that will promote growth and economic investment within the area” of the city.

“The development, which will include residential and commercial use opportunities, will be part of an ongoing effort to create pockets of supporting retail for existing and proposed residents, and to create a thriving mixed-use space near the LPGA Golf Course,” the report said. “Paired with the other projects by the applicant, this development will revitalize the area and provide for smart-growth opportunities at an integral entry point into the city.”

Commissioner Monica Paris said she was not in favor of changing the zoning of the parcel.

“Currently this is zoned single-family residential,” she said. “I don’t know how anyone else feels, but I would like to keep it single-family residential.”

Jessica Gow, an attorney with Cobb Cole representing the developer, said when the development of regional impact was approved for the LPGA parcel, commercial development was slated for the corner area, with transitional zoning and residential zoning within the parcel.

“When the DRI was removed, when DRIs went out of fashion, the entire LPGA corridor converted to single-family residential,” she said. “But the land use on this site which is outlined in the staff report is still mixed-use. I think the master plan for decades and decades has been this mix that we’re providing.”

Paris also asked if the developer knows what they want to have on the mixed-use site.

Gow said there is no current layout for the parcel, but the developer is interested in having a grocery store-anchored shopping center as part of the development.

City Attorney Ben Cross reminded commissioners that zoning ordinances are quasi-judicial matters and require a public hearing on second reading where public comment can be taken.

“The commission needs to make its decision to approve or reject this at the public hearing,” he said. “If these considerations are important to you, I would encourage you to ask these questions and get this information at the public hearing.”

Mayor Derrick Henry said the commission should be encouraged to ask questions during the first reading of the ordinance as well.

Cross said he did not want to discourage commissioners from asking questions, “but at the public hearing ask them again to get them in the public record.”

The Commission will hold a second reading and public hearing on the matter Feb. 21.