- December 16, 2024
-
-
Loading
Loading
It’s business as usual in the city of Ormond when it comes to construction and building permits, despite COVID-19 continuing to impact other economic sectors.
Ormond Beach Planning Director Steven Spraker said permit volumes remained steady last week. The city issued four new business tax receipts, performed 360 inspections and issued 98 permits valued at over $1.7 million, according to the March 27 staff report. In comparison, the staff report from March 29, 2019, showed 10 new business tax receipts were issued, 433 inspections were performed in the city, and 101 permits were issued valued at $1.14 million.
Annually, these make up 3% of the total general fund revenues, the city said.
Spraker attributed the steady permitting process to the city’s conversion to online submittals five years ago.
Planning staff is also able to access the system and review plans remotely. Inspectors are primarily performing outdoor inspections and not going inside people’s homes. Those inspections will be done once the threat of COVID-19 ceases, Spraker said.
The city currently has 34 commercial projects in the works, including S.R. Perrott’s expansion, the Trails Publix renovation and the new Extended Stay across I-95.
“We’re kind of taking it day by day and seeing what comes our way,” Spraker said.
All city-owned playgrounds and the Nova Recreational Center will be closed beginning Tuesday, March 31, the city announced Monday afternoon. The city will also shut down usage of the Fortunato Park fitness equipment.
The city stated in a press release that these areas have been deemed high-traffic areas that are prone to gatherings and group activities.
However, all city parks and trails remain open.
At the county level, all playgrounds have also been closed until further notice. County parks, trails and boat ramps still remain open to the public. Parking in off-beach county lots has also been reduced.
Due to the ongoing impacts of COVID-19, Volusia County Schools will remain closed until May 1, meaning distance learning has also been extended.
VCS has set up a support hotline for distance learning: 386-626-0070. The hotline is open Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Middle and high school laptop deployment will take place at Ormond Beach Middle School on Monday, April 6, and Seabreeze High School and Mainland High School on Tuesday April, 7. The deployment times are 7-10 a.m. and 3-6 p.m.
