Unanimous approval for The Pumphouse despite parking concerns

The Pumphouse barbecue restaurant is one step closer in coming to town as the Ormond Beach Planning Board unanimously approved a special exception to demolish the existing structure, a former gas station, at 100 W. Granada Blvd.

The blighted structure has remained vacant for years, and various planning board members stated at their meeting on Thursday, Aug.

9, that they were pleased that it was finally being redeveloped, though parking is a concern. The retro-style barbecue restaurant, owned by local developer Bill Jones, will only have two spots onsite, but people are able to use the city's public parking lot in front of Ormond Beach Elementary. During school hours, people can enter the lot through the entrance at the corner of Lewis Street and Corbin Avenue.

Planning Board member Lewis Heaster said he echoed residents' concerns about parking. He said it's always been an issue, even in his commercial properties on the beachside. There needs to be a future discussion about accessibility or visibility for parking, he added.

"I like the project though," Heaster said. "I'm all for redeveloping downtown and I think it'll be a great addition."

Planning Board Chair Doug Thomas said there are things that can be done to make the existing public parking lot in front of the elementary school more visible, such as signs directing patrons toward the lot.