- May 4, 2024
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Eleven properties within the city of Ormond Beach were identified by city staff as possible candidates for the Volusia Forever Land Selection and Acquisition Program.
At the City Commission meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 2, commissioners voted 4-1 to establish a priority list for the properties which placed three properties east of Ormond Lakes (identified as 1, 2 and 3 on the map) at the top, followed by three properties near Central Park (marked as 9, 10 and 11 on the map). City Commissioner Dwight Selby voted against, as he believed properties 4-8 on the map should not be considered because they, with the exception of 901 Airport Road, all front U.S. 1 and are either zoned for commercial use or are already designated for conservation.
“The reason that they haven’t been developed is that they’re really tough properties to develop,” Selby said.
Mayor Bill Partington also expressed an interest in looking at properties 7 and 8 for city acquisition to increase reuse water storage.
Volusia County will only purchase property from owners who are willing to sell their land, according to a city memo. No property owners within the city have been contacted yet to determine whether or not they are interested in having their properties be considered for Volusia Forever.
The Ormond Beach City Commission unanimously approved a motion to allow staff to use up to $20,000 from its general fund reserves to help the Police Deparment acquire a new K-9 after the recent death of K-9 Kane.
The motion was made by Commissioner Troy Kent.
The commission also voted 4-1 to continue a consent agenda item regarding a sponsorship request for the ninth-annual Tomoka Marathon to its next meeting. Selby voted against.
The consent agenda item was pulled by Kent, who felt the city should be hosting its own marathon instead of having a third-party run it.
“I believe that our staff could create an event as good if not better, and the citizens of Ormond Beach could reap the rewards of that financial windfall,” he said.
The race is run by Don Stoner of Runner’s High Timing and Race Management LLC.
Selby said that chances are, if the city did run the marathon, staff would hire a consultant like Stoner, and was uncomfortable with the city copying the idea of the marathon from Stoner.
The Tomoka Marathon has been taking place in the city since 2014, and is a qualifier for the Boston Marathon. The sponsorship would allow Stoner to provide complimentary beer at the post-race party.
