As the election season heats up, many existing residents are letting it be known that they consider ‘too much, too soon’ overdevelopment the seminal issue of our time.
Last November, during a West Volusia town hall forum on growth management hosted by Volusia County Council Chair Jeff Brower, it became evident that a growing number of residents support a temporary moratorium on development until public infrastructure catches up and land use regulations amended to help conserve community resources and protect our limited water supply.
At the time, I equated a potential ‘tap of the brakes’ to a hotel that reaches maximum occupancy and hangs a “No Vacancy” sign to alert potential lodgers that the property has reached its limit.
Because packing guests like cordwood in every nook and cranny, placing cots in hallways and ballrooms, overburdening recreational amenities, gridlocked parking lots, and overcrowding facilities is unsafe and unsanitary.
In short, people living on top of one another is not sustainable over time.
Letting potential customers know there is no room at the inn is a short-term measure that protects the property from excess and overuse, frees staff to meet current needs, and ensures existing guests have a quality experience.
It also allows management time to plan and improve infrastructure to accommodate more customers so that expansion does not infringe on neighbors or detract from the unique character of the place that attracted visitors to begin with.
Unfortunately, our ‘powers that be’ here on Florida’s Fun Coast have failed to grasp (or manage) the myriad issues that occur when one attempts to shove ten pounds of shit into a five pound sack – a crude metaphor for the malignant growth that is rapidly metastasizing along the spine of Volusia County from Farmton to the Flagler County line – sprawl that is now threatening communities and once rural areas with high-density development and its detrimental impacts to our environment, infrastructure, and quality of life.
With evidence mounting that unchecked growth is the principal concern of residents across Volusia County, why do those we have elected to represent our interests continue to ignore the fears of their constituents?
When you consider that $1 of every $5 in recorded campaign contributions in recent Volusia County elections originated from real estate developers and the building industry – you begin to understand just how cozy (and incredibly lucrative) that symbiotic relationship has become – resulting in the approval of every want and whim of speculative developers, to include rubber stamping land use and density changes, while perpetuating a ‘hurt here/help there’ environmental mitigation strategy.
In my view, the quid pro quo effect of these massive campaign donations to malleable candidates is exemplified in the erosion of water quality and quantity, traffic congestion, unsightly cookie cutter subdivisions, “roads to nowhere” that facilitate future development, and the continued suppression of impact fees and concurrency regulations.
Recently, in an excellent article by Charles Guarria writing in the Hometown News, “More warehousing, more houses, just more in Daytona,” we learned of a gargantuan 893,000 square feet of warehousing, cold storage, and retail space collocated with some 400 apartments and townhouses to be built on sixty-five acres at the northwest corner of US-92 and Tomoka Farms Road.
In his informative piece, Mr. Guarria aptly described the enormous development as a “monster project.”
In my jaded view, it is more accurately the Monster that ate our Quality of Life – and now the voracious beast is getting too big and unruly to ignore – even for those elected officials who facilitated his lycanthropic transformation. . .
During their July 6 meeting, the Daytona Beach City Commission – after approving another 352 housing units near Municipal Stadium off LPGA Boulevard (with some 800 more on deck) – discussed a building moratorium for “New Daytona” along Boomtown Boulevard and areas west of the City’s Monument to Mediocrity at the Tomoka River pinch point.
I was surprised how little the elected officials seem to understand about their collective authority when approving new development – an almost strategic ignorance of their vital role in growth management – and I found it interesting that Mayor Derrick Henry appeared in complete agreement with Commissioner Ken Strickland on the topic of a moratorium.
Let’s face it, during this period of explosive growth, little consideration has been given to the quality of approved projects – as evidenced by the overall lack of character and appearance of those zero-lot-line behemoths that sprout from slash-and-burn moonscapes – with no consideration for developing a comprehensive sense of place and community.
More important, with no end in sight, why is no one looking out for the interests of existing residents?
According to reports, the Daytona Beach City Commission will hold a workshop to discuss the proposal on August 24.
With thousands of new homes and apartments already built – and thousands more approved and waiting to break ground (some 9,000 along already overwhelmed LPGA Boulevard alone) – many Halifax area residents are saying a temporary halt is too little, too late.
Of course, some developer shills are already crowing about how a moratorium will stifle the city’s ability to attract “jobs” and “affordable housing.”
Bullshit.
The very thought of a temporary slowdown to allow infrastructure to catch up with demand will go through the real estate development community like an ice water enema – because anything that disrupts the boom/bust cycle of rapid growth and quick profits in favor of a measured strategy is anathema to those hauling cash out of what remains of our threatened pine scrub and aquifer recharge areas west of I-95.
Unfortunately, if history repeats, I don’t think those uber-wealthy insiders who are actively preparing the playing field with massive campaign contributions to likeminded candidates have anything to worry about.
In Volusia County – greed always prevails.
During this election season, I hope you will take this unique opportunity to identify those candidates who share your values and concerns, demand answers to the tough questions regarding how we plan, prepare, regulate, and execute future growth.
Then hold their feet to the fire politically by demanding concurrency and managed development.
Regardless of where you fall on the issue of growth management, we can all agree there is a lot at stake.
It appears the City of Daytona Beach is finally coming to the realization that We, The Little People are rightly concerned about increased density, traffic congestion, and the environmental impacts of unchecked sprawl – those things we see with our own eyes – something many believe will have a drastic impact on local elections.
This one bears watching. . .
Barker's View 
The last paragraph… does that not hold true for NSB and OB?
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Wow….I agree with everything you said,Yes,I do currently live out of state,but on my visits back,I got to see the so called growth of the greater Daytona Beach area..and to be honest..it made me sick to my stomach…I was a radio personality way back when,and a Police officer till 89…it was a beautiful area….now it seems ,it’s another out if control population monster…but I’ve noticed it happening all over,and all the politicians care about is how much money they can put in their pockets,at the cost of us taxpayers quality of life…it seems no one cares about the watershed or watertable,or any of what we used to have listed as “protected areas”… So you hit the nail on the head perfectly….looking forward to your next article…
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Well stated! RE: New Smyrna Beach. Ditto. There seems to be consistency east of I-95 in Volusia County. Lisa Martin 408-205-6842 [cell/text] Candidate for NSB City Commission! http://www.Lisa4NSB.com
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Hope you don’t mind but I shared your post-link on Nextdoor. And asked that readers request your jaundiced eye turn toward New Smyrna Beach. Lisa Martin 408-205-6842 [cell/text] Candidate for NSB City Commission! http://www.Lisa4NSB.com
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I believe many of the citizens of Volusia County, especially those who live in the mega development area (I live on Williamson, one mile from LPGA) have no clue who to vote for in the upcoming election. I have not seen any information on candidates. No flyers, no lists, nothing. It’s extremely frustrating seeing all of this clear cutting, cookie cutting, development daily – yet, we don’t know who to vote for. Voters should be informed in order to make the right choices. Can anyone shed light on this?
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Look up the Volusia platform candidates. For Ormond it consists of Ken Smith (County Council District4), Doug Pettit (At Large), Ted Noftall (County Council District 3). These guys are tired of the over development and will NOT be bought by developers. They will not just sit back and use the excuse that was the prior council. They WILL listen to the people and do what the people want not what they personally want. I know for a fact Ken Smith signed a pledge to not increase taxes and the Wildlife Corridor. I can’t stress enough, if you don’t like what is happening to our county-Vote for these guys! The key for all these good things to happen to our county, is having more then 2 people that are not bought by developers as commissioners Also, August 23 ANYONE can vote for these guys, it is a non partisan race so the names will be on everyone’s ballot. These guys need way less votes if we vote August 23! You can meet Ken at 109 S Washington St Ormond Beach for drive way party at 4 on Sunday, July 17th!
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We need more information such as this important article regarding our community hazardous growth in NSB. Why can’t we learn from so many other once beautiful and functioning towns, until we have lost that beauty due to a lack of pre planning and reasonable growth. Blinders off NSB government. Thank you for your spot on writing.
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New construction north of LPGA to Hand and the road narrows to one lane in each direction by Advent hospiital.Why? Drove to Timber Creek and Granada and they are repaving the roads west for 10.000 Avalon homes.Williamson is filled with potholes from Advent to Granada.Yes I dont know who to vote for or what they stand for.It is a big game run by the good ole boys.Not moving but maybe not voting in local elections because the powers that be want us stupid and our local rag has no journalism to help us.Ormond Beach Observer blows Gannett away.Mori is the king.Will Beat Khahli catch up?
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Peter, look up the Volusia platform candidates. For Ormond it consists of Ken Smith (County Council District4), Doug Pettit (At Large), Ted Noftall (County Council District 3). These guys are tired of the over development and will NOT be bought by developers. They will not just sit back and use the excuse that was the prior council. They WILL listen to the people and do what the people want not what they personally want. I know for a fact Ken Smith signed a pledge to not increase taxes and the Wildlife Corridor. I can’t stress enough, if you don’t like what is happening to our county-Vote for these guys! The key for all these good things to happen to our county, is having more then 2 people that are not bought by developers as commissioners Also, August 23 ANYONE can vote for these guys, it is a non partisan race so the names will be on everyone’s ballot. These guys need way less votes if we vote August 23! You can meet Ken at 109 S Washington St Ormond Beach for drive way party at 4 on Sunday, July 17th!
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Sorry I made a mistake. The driveway party is Saturday Saturday, July 16th at 4:00. Sorry about that, hope you can make it!
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District 3 is not Ormond. Everyone in the county gets to vote for two (2) on county council: at-large and their district. Ormond is district 4.
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Andy Kelly is the only one running for the at-large seat who is reliably against out-of-control growth who has a chance to win…
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Could it just be possible that already approved developments will never get started in the near or extended future? The current state of the economy….inflationary times…high interest rates and people realizing they cant afford those new car loans they already have , tremendous rising utilitity costs, mortgages and rents that increase dramatically due to higher insurance rates and taxes will STOP many of these projects in their tracks. Why move to Florida if you are going to live in a wood framed, poorly constructed house on top of your neighbor and accept poor tasting water and traffic that is a nightmare. Except for old housing and beachside blight we are at least better isolated from the KAOS on the beachside than other areas in our County. The next battle will be to convince our elected officials to not provide automatic extensions to developments for years and years. If a developer hasn’t built within their planned timeframe……end their development rights for that projects.
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Anita I looked up Beat Kahli who will be breaking ground on 10.000 Avalon homes on Granada across from Breakaway Trails and miles east and south that is in Daytona and Ormond will supply water and waste water removal.Looked him up he is a billionaire and owns 25% of Voxx a big audio and doing research into products of the future
Dont feel bad he will build.Guess Mori’s sister gave him all his traffic approvals as he bought land on the east side of Hand Ave that meets I 95 for his bridge.His plans show Hand Avenue going all the way through his development.
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Peter, look up the Volusia platform candidates. For Ormond it consists of Ken Smith (County Council District4), Doug Pettit (At Large), Ted Noftall (County Council District 3). These guys are tired of the over development and will NOT be bought by developers. They will not just sit back and use the excuse that was the prior council. They WILL listen to the people and do what the people want not what they personally want. I know for a fact Ken Smith signed a pledge to not increase taxes and the Wildlife Corridor. I can’t stress enough, if you don’t like what is happening to our county-Vote for these guys! The key for all these good things to happen to our county, is having more then 2 people that are not bought by developers as commissioners Also, August 23 ANYONE can vote for these guys, it is a non partisan race so the names will be on everyone’s ballot. These guys need way less votes if we vote August 23! You can meet Ken at 109 S Washington St Ormond Beach for drive way party at 4 on Sunday, July 17th!
*** these guys can stop a lot of the developers that haven’t broke land yet, I could be wrong that they might even be able to stop the ones that did break ground. I’m not 100% sure but I do know for a fact they will be able to stop a lot of what is going on, day 1 of them being commissioners. ******
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Janice good comment. Petit and Smith did text today and would vote for them..Dont know anything about the other candidate who could do an email like Petit did with his positions since the DBNJ is ignoring the primary.Tolland who lives in Broadriver said at a meeting at the Ormond Beach senior center said only 5000 increase in population from 2210 to 2020 and that is underdevelopment compared to other cities in Florida.She has lots of donations compared to her rivals.She said not much property left to build in Ormond and when questioned about the airport she said it is moot so why talk about it.Nice having rich friends and neighbors and you dont live near any of the crap going on or traffic.You live in your own little world off airport road with homes that look like giant hotels.You dont have to worry if a hamburger goes to $20 as I live only on social security and no pension.Have to pray for an inflation increase as you and the doctor dont need to worry about can I afford to go out to eat this week.Enjoy your filet mignon.I need to pay my $300 electric bill for last month as my 401 k takes a dump.
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District 3 is not Ormond. Everyone in the county gets to vote for two (2) on county council: at-large and their district. Ormond is district 4.
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