- April 26, 2024
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Though walls have not been built, and the developer is still working on which businesses the project will house, landscaping on Granada Pointe is now under way.
The trees currently being planted on the south side of the development are just a portion of the planned landscaping, said developer Paul Holub. Once completed, that side of Granada Pointe will have over 100 shade and understory trees with trunks measuring 3.5 inches and above, as well as more than 3,000 shrubs and 1,000 ground cover plants. Holub has also added $12,000 of palm trees, which await to be planted.
“That’s just a small representation of the landscaping that’ll continue on the lot, just to show the general public," Holub said.
Once Granada Pointe is done, it'll contain landscape islands, a side yard and rear buffers, in addition to the buffers separating it from West Granada Boulevard.
Holub also emphasized that though the site spans 32.5 acres, only 13 of them will be commercially developed, plus an additional acre for the new Tomoka right of way. The remaining 18.5 acres are being used for preservation and conservation purposes, and that includes the 10 acres of untouched forest in the north parcel and the retention pond in the south.
CANDO 2 has advocated for 2009 wetland protection rules to be reinstated. The group criticizes Holub for development on 1.5 acres of wetlands in the north parcel of Granada Pointe. But Holub said Granada Pointe would still look the same even with the 2009 regulations, which also gave mitigation options for developers. In Granada Pointe, Holub is preserving 10 acres of land; also the south parcel had no impacted wetlands.
“Just wait till it’s done until you pass judgement,” Holub said.
Granada Pointe has been the subject of many conversations regarding growth since the property was cleared in February. Some have criticized the project for clear-cutting trees, but Holub explained that many of his prior developments in the community since 1986 were also clear-cut before construction began. These include the Tuscany Shoppes, which saved three pine trees, and Ormond Towne Square.
He said he has developed approximately 75% of West Granada Boulevard from Nova Road to I-95 and that this project won't look any different.
“People tell you how great Granada looks, landscape-wise, as you come in from the interstate," Holub said. "Well, we developed all that.”
Holub hopes the development's infrastructure is completed by December. Wawa will begin construction in early October.
