Daytona Beach Commission Hears Rezoning Request

Daytona Beach city commissioners got their first look at a plan that would return a little under nine acres of land along Atlantic Avenue to a tourist accommodation zoning.

The request, from property owner John Ott, is to rezone a 7.8-acre parcel north of Silver Beach Avenue from planned development-redevelopment to tourist accommodations; and four parcels totaling 1.1 acres from the planned development-redevelopment category to tourist/office/retail.

The Beachside Redevelopment Advisory Board approved the rezoning in January. According to the minutes of the Jan. 10 advisory board meeting, “city staff asserts that the proposal aligns with the city’s plans, emphasizing that no immediate development is in the works.”

In addition to visitor/accommodation uses, the zoning change would allow recreation and entertainment uses, eating and drinking establishments, business support services such as conference or training centers, health care uses, other institutional uses including a civic center, club or lodge and open space.

Asked about any serious interest in the parcels since the January meeting by City Commissioner Monica Paris, Ott’s attorney Joey Posey said there was not.

“Some interest, all just cursory looks,” he said. “And people have grand plans in the sky.”

Posey said the property owner wants to make good use of the land and the zoning change is the first step in attracting a developer to the table.

“It’s to set the stage, get somebody excited,” he said, adding it will be “restoring the original base zoning” on the parcels.

“Hopefully they come quickly,” Paris said.

The City Commission will hold a public hearing and take final action on the rezoning request March 20.