- April 18, 2024
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In part thanks to the shift to electronic submission and review process in 2015, the Ormond Beach Planning Department has weathered the COVID-19 storm well, according to Director Steven Spraker.
“The community’s building process was not slowed based on the pandemic,” Spraker said. “Based upon what is in the building permit process, it is expected that the issuance of building permits and inspections will stay steady through the remainder of the fiscal year.”
The number of permits, which range from commercial projects to residential fences, dipped in from March to May as compared with last year, but the number has increased in June and July.
“In a very unusual time, the permitting and the inspections have been relatively consistent,” Spraker added.
Residential permits have increased compared to last year, thanks to home construction in three developments: Gardens at Addison Oaks, which was annexed into Ormond Beach from Volusia County; Pineland, near Airport Road and Interstate 95; and Cypress Trail, on Clyde Morris Boulevard.
Two commercial projects are also underway: Salty Church, at 221 Vine Court, which is almost completed; and Publix, in The Trails Shopping Center, which is about 60% complete.
Many of the permits are “typical maintenance activity,” Spraker said, including roofing, mechanical change-outs, windows, doors and fences.
A1A Fence Co., which has been owned by Richard Jelm since 2003, is booked for the next eight weeks, in part due to the pandemic.
Jelm was born and raised in Ormond Beach and is the nephew of the late Harold Burr, who was police chief and fire chief simultaneously from 1981 to 1987.
Jelm said he’s had trouble finding people to hire, but also, he said people are interested in improving their properties after being at home more often.
“People are sitting at home, looking at their rotted fences, and they’re calling me,” he said.
At the same time, Jelm said, the total amount of work has declined this year.
“People are scared to spend money right now,” he said.
