City Commission Approves Distribution Center Rezoning

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Deltona, FL - City commissioners approve a rezoning change that will bring a 1 million square foot distribution center to Volusia County.

And the unknown company behind the project is still tight-lipped about what's to come.

The mysterious facility passed its first reading just last month following a unanimous vote by the Deltona City Commission. But, now that it's past its second reading, what happens next is up in the air.

Deltona Mayor Heidi Herzberg told News Daytona Beach, that she thinks its up to the developers now.

"I would assume that the next step is for the developer and the property owner to come to some sort of an agreement for purchase," said Herzberg.

Similar to its first reading, Monday's (November 4th) reading passed by a unanimous vote, which now changes the 85 acres of land it will sit on into an industrial planned unit development zone. Originally, the land, located near I-4, was earmarked for just industrial and agriculture.

Since the project came to light, there has been speculation as to what kind of distribution center it will be. The common theory from residents is that it will be another Amazon center for the Volusia County area. However, others find that unlikely since the eCommerce giant recently opened a facility in Daytona Beach.

But, to some, that still doesn't leave Amazon out of the equation. The developer behind the project, Seefried Industrial Properties, has built sites throughout the country for Amazon, along with other companies. Those other companies include Dr. Pepper Snapple, Eagle Global Logistics and Home Depot.

Other residents are concerned about the development and what it would do to the Deltona area. But, according to Mayor Herzberg, just like every other new development project, this one caught opposition.

"It doesn't matter what you put in, there's always going to be people who speak against it and that's their right."

Herzberg believes that the city needs this distribution center, saying that it could bring growth to the area, which outnumbers Daytona Beach 90,000~ residents to 68,000~.

"We have pouted that we want economic development in a city of 90,000 people with only a 6.5% commercial base," said Herzberg. "That is nothing. There is no way you can sustain a municipality of that size with that commercial base."

She also commented saying that no sale has been made yet for the land and the city commission only approved the rezoning of the land, not a sale. As for what happens next, as Herzberg said, that's up to the developers and the yet-to-be-named company.

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