- April 25, 2024
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The proposed subdivision, which will have condensed lots and more homes than initially planned, was approved 4-1 on its first reading,
BY MATT MENCARINI | STAFF WRITER
The lots may be smaller than originally proposed, and smaller than the Ormond Beach City Commission initially wanted, but a new subdivision has moved closer to getting a green light.
By a 4-1 vote Jan. 8, the commission was in favor of what is being called Marshside Village, in spite of hesitations.
The plan, which will have to be approved again on a second reading, includes rezoning annexed land and amending the original planned residential development to 163 single-family lots, leading to a more condensed development.
The subdivision will be located at the northwest intersection of Airport Road and Tymber Creek Road, and in 2006, was approved for 68 single family lots.
The original plan called for homes to be built on 80-foot lots, but with the additional 37.9 acres, the new plan has homes being built on 60-foot lots in the 84.14-acre subdivision.
The new plan was driven by market demand, said Edward Speno, the president of White Falcon Land Development Inc., the Orlando-based company developing the subdivision.
“Today’s homebuyer demands a more efficient home, with operational and ownership costs controlled,” Speno said. “We attempt to respond to that demand with this subdivision.”
Speno said his company wants to make the subdivision a valuable asset to the city, which would only be attainable by condensing the subdivision into smaller lots and increasing the number of homes built.
But certain residents were skeptical.
Concern was raised by resident Ron Hoopper at the meeting that the subdivision isn’t the kind of development the city wants.
Hoopper, who lives near the proposed subdivision, said he moved to Ormond Beach partly because the area took pride in its appearance. He said he was concerned the subdivision would reduce his home’s value, while also creating traffic problems.
“With a reasonable number of lots, as was originally requested,” he said, “the city of Ormond Beach and the developer can make this an attractive area, overall … for people to move to, and not away from.”
It was clear the smaller lot sizes and condensed subdivision was a sticking point with the commission, as well.
The smaller lots, Speno said, were an economic necessity for his company in order to create the kind of neighborhood it had in mind, one with more comprehensive building codes and amenities than the city requires.
Speno emphasized the positive impact the subdivision could have years from now to the city, a value, he added, which could only be realized with more homes.
That justification, however, didn’t do much for City Commissioner Troy Kent. Having voted in favor of the development in 2006, he stood as the board's lone 'no" vote this time around.
“No offense to Mr. Speno or any other developer out there, (but) why would a developer put a split-rail fence or a swimming pool or columns or front porches?” he said. “Because they look nice. I don’t necessarily think it’s because he wants to make the city happy. I think it’s because some people want that where they live.”
Kent liked one aspect of the plan, however, which included work to improve the stormwater drainage along Airport Road.
The four commissioners voting in favor of the revised plan, including Mayor Ed Kelley, who voted against the plan in 2006, said the overall benefit to the area outweighed the small lots.
The commission also voted down Speno’s proposal to build a park on city-owned land. Instead, it opted to collect impact fees, keeping an option for the city to build a park there alive.
