- May 3, 2024
-
-
Loading
Loading
Could Port Orange soon have a mobile fashion truck?
The answer is yes, as the City Council unanimously approved an amendment for the Catfish Commons Planned Commercial Development on second reading at its April 16 meeting allowing one mobile retail unit, or "fashion truck" to be located at 4085 Ridgewood Avenue. The truck will be allowed to sell clothing, accessories, children's toys, local crafts, dog accessories and more, according to the council agenda item.
The amendment also allowed a residential unit to be constructed above the existing structure at 4108 Halifax Drive for any business owner or manager within the development, and, waived the application fees associated with future amendments to the development as an incentive for people to invest in Catfish Commons. The waiver doesn't include legal advertising fees, site plan or subdivision application fees, building permit or impact fees, according to the city document.
“This area of the city has been a concern for Council for a long time, and it is refreshing to know that we still have folks like yourself that have stayed the course, stayed invested and stayed committed," said Councilman Scott Stiltner at the April 2 meeting.
City Planning Manager Penelope Cruz said at the April 2 council meeting that Catfish Commons was established in 2012 with provisions for planned multi-use development. Brendan and Shannon Galbreath are the developers who requested the amendment to the ordinance.
Paul Rozar, candidate for District 1 seat, voiced his concern at the April 2 meeting regarding the potential tenant at 4108 Halifax Drive.
"I would like to know whoever this is, be registered with the city on who’s there at what time,” Rozar said. “I would not like a lot of people to show up at one time and say, ‘I’m the one that lives here.’ Do we really want to get into a carnival attitude? With trucks like this, that’s how it’s gonna get. Can we lose the Port Orange attitude?”
The mobile unit would be able to be moved to city sponsored events or stored safely in a covered storage unit if hurricanes or strong storms threaten the area.
Mayor Don Burnette was concerned at the April 2 meeting that the mobile unit would be for food. Cruz stated that mobile food units are not allowed to be placed in the development at this time.
At that meeting, Interim Councilman Jack Wiles was curious as to who the business manager was that would occupy the rental unit that was proposed to be built, and why there was no minimum or maximum timeframe for the manager.
Cruz said that the business manager would be for any of the businesses in the development. Right now, it was more for the mobile unit, but if the owner of the restaurant, for example, wanted to live close, he or she could live in there as well.
“None of our employees are by contract,” Brendan Galbreath said. “I guess that would be the simple explanation. The longer the relationship, the better, but I can’t guarantee any term.”
Councilman Drew Bastian supported the idea.
“That area could definitely use some help, and I appreciate what you are doing,” Bastian said.
