- April 26, 2024
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The big issue hovering over Ormond Beach is Avalon Park, said City Commissioner Rob Littleton.
That's something he said he plans to keep an eye on in the next year to make sure the city of Ormond Beach isn't too negatively impacted.
"We can’t stop the development, but I’m going to do all I can to make sure the project doesn’t turn West Granada into bumper to bumper traffic," Littleton said. "It’s unfortunate that prior commissions didn’t handle this better at the beginning."
The Zone 4 representative spoke with the Ormond Beach Observer on Monday, July 5, about other issues in the city, from the church at 56 N. Beach St. to his strong feelings about the failed half-cent sales tax initiative.
Is there a project that you’re hoping is included in the upcoming budget?
Yes, the creation of a public safety fund, with a dedicated millage rate is my top priority. While other crackpot cities are defunding the police, we in Ormond Beach love our first responders. I also want to look at converting our medians to native plants in order to save water and replacing the roof on the police station.
What is an issue you’re keeping an eye on in your zone?
Recently, the Volusia County Council discussed widening Hand Avenue to four lanes between Nova and Clyde Morris. I want to make sure that stretch of road doesn’t become like a drag racing strip with those intersections becoming a destruction derby contest, almost.
On Hand Avenue, do you still support an extension of Hand Avenue? And if so, why?
I do support the Hand Avenue extension still, and it’s going to make it easier to travel to the other side of I-95. On the plus side, Ormond Beach won’t be paying for it because it’s not our road.
Another half-cent sales tax initiative could be on the horizon. It was discussed by the County Council not too long ago. You encouraged residents to vote against a half-cent sales tax in the 2019 initiative. Would you support a future initiative?
Hell no, I would not support a future initiative. The sales tax was garbage back then, and it’s going to be even stinkier garbage now. It needs to be taken out back and put out of its misery. To be honest, I don’t think the Volusia County Council will actually move forward with it. If they do, they need to tell me what drugs they’re smoking, because it must be the good stuff. Seriously, the citizens of Volusia County voted it down and Jeff Brower won the chair’s race handily. What more evidence do they need?
Why do you feel so strongly against it?
The way it was configured, it was a watered-down mess, and the citizens basically would have been required to [pay to] build roads and other projects that developers should be required to pay for.
What are your thoughts regarding relocating the police station?
In theory, I’m not against relocating the police station for a proper EOC. In reality, it’s going to cost too much money, so I’m not supportive of it at this time.
You were a yes vote to demolish the church. Why did you vote in favor of it and what are your thoughts about the upcoming special meeting that the mayor called?
The building was constructed to be a church. It functioned as a church, and it looks like a church. Yet, the city doesn’t operate religious services. Therefore, the building constrains the possible uses and limits the potential for the parcel. I do not want our community’s vision constrained and limited because of an asbestos-ridden, mold-infested old building.
But the special meeting does change the dynamic and I’m open to hearing what people have planned for the property.
