Volusia County & Daytona Beach Shores At Odds Over Parking Ordinance

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Daytona Beach Shores, FL - Volusia County and the City of Daytona Beach Shores continue to tangle over the city's denial of two proposed parking developments in the city.

The Volusia County Council was asked for direction in Thursday's meeting on a formal objection to a proposed Daytona Beach Shores Ordinance that would bar parking developments at 3167 S. Atlantic Ave. and Dahlia Ave. The ordinance is set to be discussed at the May 23rd Daytona Beach Shores City Council meeting.

The Daytona Beach Shores Community Services Director denied plans for the two new off-beach parking facilities in Daytona Beach Shores last Tuesday, and the County has since filed an appeal of that denial.

The county officially filed a motion to appeal the denial on the basis that "the conclusions were not based on substantial and competent evidence." Appeals will be heard by the Daytona Beach Shores Board of Adjustments.

The site plans were designed to comply with the Daytona Beach Shores Land Development Code. Those plans were denied on the basis that they would not qualify as an essential public service since parking can easily be accommodated at the beach.

On May 8, staff for Daytona Beach Shores presented an ordinance amending the land development code to state that off-beach parking and parks will not be allowed east of Atlantic Ave. They will be allowed west of Atlantic Ave, only as a special exception.

For the parking to be allowed, total vehicular use must not exceed 60% of the property, there must be a clear demonstration of need based on sound scientific and land use principles, and the location of the off-beach parking facility must be within 500 feet of pedestrian or vehicle access.

County staff asked the City for a continuance in order to review and discuss the proposed ordinance, but that continuance was denied. The City's planning and zoning board voted 3 to 1 to recommend approval of the proposed ordinance when it is brought up at the May 23rd meeting.

The county raises many concerns over the ordinance, including that it would impact existing parking facilities owned by the county and prevent the development of any more beachfront property for parking in the future.

The City believes that the ordinance is necessary to protect the tax base and save that land for taxable revenue, such as hotels or condominiums.

"They have almost 1/3 of the frontage. I understand they're a small city, I understand they're small in square miles, they're less than a square mile," says the Deputy County Attorney, Jamie Seaman. "But, in frontage of the beach, they are longer than New Smyrna, longer than Daytona and longer than Ormond. So, they have a tremendous frontage that the public in Volusia County would like to access."

The council members agreed unanimously to fight the ordinance that will go before the City.

Photo courtesy of Bennian and Shutterstock.com.

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