- April 24, 2024
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Neighbors fear a house built near wetlands on State Road 40 west of Interstate 95 will cause flooding, but Planning Board members at their Feb. 7 meeting believed their fears were unfounded and unanimously recommended approval by the City Commission, which will hear the matter March 21 and April 2.
The property owner is seeking a land use designation amendment for five acres to “suburban low density residential” from “public institutional,” which allows a house of worship, child care facility or assisted living facility.
The property at 2575 West Granada Boulevard has a pond and about 2.6 acres of wetlands. Hunter’s Ridge houses are to the north and east of the property.
In the public comment section, a couple of residents said they were concerned about water in the wetlands being displaced and encroaching into their yard. One resident asked if all the trees would be cleared, because he currently has a wooded buffer from S.R. 40.
Senior Planner Becky Weedo said any water would be required to stay on the property.
“You cannot impact other properties,” she said. “That’s part of the engineering review.”
In regard to the view, Planning Director Steven Spraker said that because of the wetlands, there will be a buffer between the new home and the surrounding properties.
A septic tank would be required for any development there, because the sewer line in adjacent neighborhoods could not be extended through the wetlands. For this reason, Spraker said approval of a house makes sense, because a public institution would also require a septic tank.
Board member G.G. Galloway said the area is wet, but he would feel comfortable with one house being there. However, he said Volusia County will have to test the area to permit a septic tank, and they may not give approval.
