- February 24, 2025
‘As you get more rooftops, you get more retail.’
Two residential developments will be getting started this year in Ormond Beach, though both will take several years to build out.
If the Ormond Renaissance Condominium gets a final zoning change approval from the City Commission, it will eventually bring 286 luxury condos to the heart of town. Huntington Village is set to break ground this year on a development of 327 single-family homes and villas west of Interstate 95.
The City Commission will consider the zoning approval for the condominium in two readings, tentatively set for April.
These projects are significant and will likely lead to new business development, according to city Economic Development Director Joe Mannarino. “As you have more rooftops, you have more retail,” he said. “That’s how it works.”
The Ormond Renaissance Condominum is good news for nearby retailers, especially Trails Shopping Center, he said.
There are also houses being built in established neighborhoods west of Interstate 95, such as Breakaway Trails, and Mannarino said he expects this to lead to more mixed-use developments along the south side of State Road 40.
As the west side of town builds out, it should lead to construction in Ormond Crossings, a planned development on North U.S. 1 that has a potential for 3,000 homes. Neighborhoods near the Crossings, Halifax Plantation, Ormond Lakes and Plantation Bay, also have room to expand.
Ormond Crossings also includes a business park that would provide jobs.
But more houses also mean a more populated area and demand on roads and services.
City Manager Joyce Shanahan said the need for water, sewer, transportation and other resources are considered by the Planning Department before approving a site plan.
Lisa Bollenback, executive director of the River to Sea Transportation Planning Organization, said they work with local governments to anticipate future demands on roadways. She said they have a planning model that they use, which takes into account future development expected by the cities, including Ormond Beach.
The public also gets a chance to comment about transportation needs. The planning organization recently had a public meeting at the Senior Center in Ormond Beach to get public input.
Shanahan said staff from the city Planning Department provides technical information to Transportation Planning Organization, and there is also a committee of elected officials.
This year, the public will have a chance to speak on any topic related to the future of Ormond Beach at two “community conversations.” Details about the public meetings, tentatively set for April 18 and 22, will be released later, Shanahan said.
Planning Board recommends approval of condo development
Buddy LeCour presented his plans for the Ormond Renaissance Condominium, to be located on the former hospital grounds at Sterhaus Drive and Old Kings Road, at the March 12 Planning Board meeting. LeCour is principal owner in the development group, Ormond King Center LLC.
Memorial Hospital was demolished in 2012 after Florida Hospital relocated staff and equipment to the new facility on Williamson Boulevard.
There were no negative comments at the board meeting, in fact, a couple of audience members sounded like they were interested in buying.
“I have a signup sheet in the back,” LeCour said with a laugh. He said he expects the prices to start in the low “two hundreds.”
The board approved the project unanimously, and the next step will be City Commission approval of the zoning change.
The east portion of the 27 acres will be a conservation area, and a detailed survey was taken of the oak trees on the property. Of 39 historic trees that were located, nine will be removed.
“We saved the highest quality trees,” said Steve Spraker, senior planner.
There will be 11 buildings, each with 26 units and a ground floor parking garage. LeCour said the first building could be in place next year, and full build-out will be done in four years, “God willing and the recession doesn’t come back.”
A six-foot wrought iron fence will surround the property, along with a landscape buffer.
LeCour described the architecture as “Spanish Renaissance with an old Florida feel.” He said there will be a “massive green area” for residents to walk through, and grounds will include a club house and swimming pool. There are no age restrictions in the first phase, but later phases may be for age 55 and over.
“We’re proud to bring this forward to the community,” he said.
A study shows the condos will bring less traffic to the area than the hospital.
Board Chairman Doug Thomas cautioned there could be traffic problems with residents exiting out onto Nova Road, with people wanting to turn left. Planning Director Rick Goss said a study was done and showed there would be no issues.
“You can’t design against bad behavior,” Goss said.
Board member Lewis Heaster commented that when the hospital left, there was a “huge vacuum in the downtown.”
“It’ll be a good complement for Ormond Beach,” he said. “I wish you the best of luck.”
