Residents divided on beach driving issue

Ormond Beach Observer
Neighbors

The City Commission will consider support for Let Volusia Decide.

Wayne Grant

News Editor

A line in the sand has been drawn in the local beach debate. Some people say voters should make all beach driving decisions, while others say car-free areas are critical for economic development. Some say cars and crowds on the beach are dangerous mix, while others say walking across State Road A1A is treacherous.

The matter will come to Ormond Beach on April 21 when the City Commission discusses whether or not to send a letter to the County Council in support of requiring voter approval before cars are removed from the any section of the beach.

At the April 7 commission meeting, Donna Craig, of Ormond Beach, a member of Let Volusia Vote, asked the officials to send the letter.

“We need to retain the identification we have that is so special,” she said. “Perhaps you’ll do what Deltona and Port Orange did and tell the County to let Volusia vote.”

After the meeting, Mayor Ed Kelley asked City Manager Joyce Shanahan to place a discussion item on the next agenda.

Craig said in a later interview that the effort started last summer when the Hard Rock Hotel indicated they wanted a no-driving section on the beach in front of their planned property.

“We said enough is enough,” she said.

The group has been collecting signatures to get a referendum on the 2016 ballot. If passed and held up in court, it would require voter approval before any restriction is made to beach driving. “Let the people decide,” Craig said.

She believes if beach driving is taken away, it would be almost impossible to get it back.

“We don’t want it to go away. It’s one of the reason we live here,” she said.

County Attorney Daniel Eckert and others have said the petition and any vote by citizens on beach matters would be unconstitutional and the county would retain control of the beach.

Craig said people she has talked to believe it’s legal.

County staff members are currently crafting an ordinance to ban driving on the beach at the Desert Inn, which developers hope to convert to a five-star Westin Inn, and at the proposed Hard Rock Hotel location. A vote by the County Council is expected in May.

Residents fear missing out on economic development

Another group of local citizens formed Coastal Community Beach Association last year, which favors working with developers to allow no-driving zones if they provide adequate off-beach parking.

Peggy Farmer, of Ormond Beach, said the group presented recommendations for the County Council to consider when approving the ordinance.

“We want to be balanced and have economic development and beach access,” she said.

Farmer believes it’s important to take advantage of the opportunities for economic development, much needed in the core Daytona Beach area.

“We haven’t had a new hotel in 20 years,” Farmer said. “Other areas are having prosperity. We’re going to miss out and won’t be able to improve the blight. At current millage, the Hard Rock will pay $3 million per year in property tax.”

She said developers won’t invest in an area with a lot of uncertainty.

The suggestions from Farmer’s group include requirements that developers provide parking to make up for any spaces lost on the beach. The group has specific recommendations for when the lot is on the west side of State Road A1A. The parking must be near an intersection with a traffic signal, have an overhead walkover or utilize “rapidly reflecting beam technologies.”

They also recommend drop-off points, so people can unload their car on the east side of A1A and then go park.

Craig said she didn’t think beach driving would have an effect on development. She pointed out that the Hard Rock Hotel had planned to build in Daytona Beach, knowing there was driving on the beach. She said they only changed their mind when the Westin developers asked for no driving.

Both Farmer and Craig put safety high on their priority list.

Farmer points to recent accidents where children have been hit by cars on the beach. Craig said parents should watch their kids on the beach and crossing State Road A1A is dangerous.

“A1A is a frightening place,” Craig said.

Farmer points out that off-beach parking is available every day, while the beach is only available when Mother Nature allows.

Craig also favors more off-beach parking, because it means less traffic on the beach and “relieves some of the issues that some people have about it.”