VCC Moves Forward With Rezoning Change For 123 Acres in DeLand

DeLand, FL – After hearing from a developer’s representative, area residents, and an hour of discussion, the Volusia County Council (VCC) gave the go-ahead by a 6-1 vote to rezone a 123.09-acre property located on the south side of State Road 44, east and west of Grand Avenue. The rezoning changes the property from the Light Industrial (I-1) and the Transitional Agriculture (A-3) zoning classifications to the Planned Unit Development (PUD) zoning classification within the SunRail DeLand Activity Center. Chair Jeff Brower was the lone dissenting vote. He said that coming into today’s (September 21) meeting, his vote was definitely a "no." The requirements for rezoning to PUD include a minimum of 15 percent of the land shall be reserved for tree preservation and 20 percent for common open space. Also during today’s regular meeting, the VCC gave approval to recommendations from Community Services Director Dona Butler on terms for a second rental assistance allocation of approximately $13.2 million approved through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. Butler said they are not taking new applications at this time and she says anyone in immediate need of assistance should do so through the OurFlorida.com website. During public participation prior to the start of the meeting, several people spoke out against a proposed tax increase in the fiscal year 2021-2022 budget. The final meeting for the proposed $1,146,307,385 budget begins at 6 p.m. tonight.