- March 12, 2025
The Palm Coast City Council on Tuesday unanimously agreed to place a ban on the display, sale and distribution of synthetic herbal incense and bath salt products.
City Councilman Bill McGuire noted that just because the product has the title “synthetic,” doesn’t mean it’s fake.
“This is a big deal, and it’s far worse than marijuana would ever be,” he said.
Cpl. Don Apperson, of the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, said it’s not the actual herbs that cause health effects such as vomiting, increased heart rate, seizures and death, but it’s the unknown chemicals that are sprayed onto the herbs.
The synthetic marijuana is not illegal at the state or federal levels. But now, Palm Coast Code Enforcement will fine businesses $300 each day the item remains on shelves. The fine is the most severe penalty allowed under city code, according to City Manager Jim Landon.
City Councilman Jason DeLorenzo said Tuesday that the city informed the other municipalities and the county about the ordinance.
“We’re not trying to push this on our neighboring communities,” DeLorenzo said. “We’re trying to comprehensively make a change here in Flagler County.”
“It’s time to take action, folks,” Apperson said. “Let’s do something, make a statement, and let’s take care of this before it becomes an epidemic in our community for our children.”
Final approval: Grand Living assisted-living facility OK’d
The City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved Grand Living, a 216-unit assisted-living facility off Colbert Lane, located behind Blare Drive, of the Woodlands.
The development will feature several four- to five-story buildings and 25,000 square feet of commercial development potential, which will mostly be used for medical space, according to developer Jim Cullis.
The changes that were agreed to Tuesday (the second reading) include lowering the building height to 45 feet on the Blare Drive residential perimeter.
Also, the conservation easements will be donated to the city or another public entity, there will be no entrances/exits off Blare Drive and the property was changed to a less-intense commercial zoning.
Despite the four changes, many residents spoke Tuesday against the project. Matt Hathaway, a Woodlands resident, said he has been in contact with the St. Johns River Water Management District regarding flooding potential on the property.
“We need to demand a compromise and hold our leaders accountable,” he said. “I feel this is the future of the east side of Palm Coast, and we can’t just give up.”
Palm Coast resident Linda Hansen, who also opposed the project, said the city has turned into a community full of empty projects.
“This is what Palm Coast has become, and it is damaging to our reputation and our property values,” she said.
Janet McDonald, who is not a resident of the Woodlands, spoke against the project. She also said City Councilman Jason DeLorenzo should recuse himself from a vote because he is the government affairs director for the Flagler Home Builders Association.
Another resident, Dennis McDonald, said the city is violating its land development code by approving the project. He also stated that he would be back in front of the City Council “within weeks” to present a referendum that will eliminate the city manager and mayor position. Instead, there should be one full-time working mayor position that would be changed every two years, McDonald said.
Some residents did speak Tuesday in support of the proposed development. The project will move on to the technical site plan process.
Garage sales: Permits now required
Palm Coast residents who want to have a garage sale must now get a permit to do so.
The City Council on Tuesday approved requiring residents to get a permit before holding a garage sale — a move city officials think will help enforce city code that allows only two garage sales per calendar year.
City Councilman Frank Meeker was the lone vote against the permit requirement. Although he said he thought city staff did a "bang-up job" on the presentation, he said he voted against it because he felt it was "superfluous," and he doesn't think he needs a permit to have a garage sale.
Palm Coast resident David Dixon said the concept of posting garage sales information on the city's website might help both those who are having garage sales and those who want to attend them.
However, Dixon suggested that garage sales could be stretched to three straight days, as opposed to two consecutive days.
Residents will be able to apply for permits online, over the phone or at city offices. The city’s website will then feature a list of what garage sales are taking place each weekend, as well as maps on the locations throughout town. Additionally, residents will have 150 characters to describe items being sold at the garage sale.
