- January 20, 2025
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The Ormond Beach Planning Board unanimously recommended approval on Thursday, May 10, for an amendment to the city comprehensive plan’s future land use map, a result of the RidgeHaven development that is its early stages.
RidgeHaven, a residential project proposed for a 103-acre parcel north of U.S. 1 and east of Plantation Oaks Boulevard, was annexed into the city as a result of an amendment to the Interlocal Service Boundary Agreement between the Ormond Beach and Volusia County.
The annexation prompted the proposed change to the city’s future land use map, which identifies which uses and intensities can be developed in areas of the city. The land currently has a county land use.
City staff recommended about 84 acres of the parcel be designated low density residential, capping the maximum number of units that can be developed at 298, or three units per acre. The change from a “Volusia County Urban Medium Density” designation to the city’s “Low Density Residential” would lower density by over 400 units, as the county’s land use could allow a range of 716 to 1,052 units, according to the city staff report.
Planning Board member Al Joczak commended staff on the work they did for the second ISBA amendment,
“The work to reduce the density, I think, is a very welcome statement by a significant number of homes,” he said. “Given the activity that’s going on around us in Daytona, it’s a welcome change I think to what the density of the property could have been.”
RidgeHaven surrounds a little over five acres of enclaves, composed of eight individually-owned parcels.
In addition, the Planning Board also recommended a land use map change for RidgeHaven’s remaining 19 acres to the south of Addison Drive, from low intensity commercial to medium density residential.
Local attorney Glenn Storch, on behalf of the applicant, said that “two-unit villas,” or duplexes, are being planned for the 19 acres.
Still, he pointed out that they are still in the comprehensive plan part of the process.
“What you will then come up and see as we continue to work together is the plan itself,” Storch said. “We want to make certain that this does not impact any of our neighbors. ... We’ll be working together to make sure of that as well.”
In speaking about the 19-acre parcel, Planning Board member GG Galloway pointed out that the developer is planning to take a commercial property and “downsize it” into residential.
“That’s a win-win,” he said. “The neighbors might not like it, but the alternative that the rights as individual have on that property, ... the alternative of possibly having some commercial, I think most people would rather have some residential.”
Stephen Civitelli has been selected by Florida’s surgeon general as the next administrator for the Florida Department of Health in Volusia County.
According to a county press release, Florida Statutes require the local, elected county board to sign off on the appointment, and on Tuesday, March 15, the Volusia County Council OK’ed Civitelli’s appointment.
Civitelli comes to Volusia County from Connecticut, where he serves as the director of health for the town of Wallingford. Prior to that, he served as the town’s chief sanitarian.
“I am humbled and honored to be put forth as a candidate for this position as county health administrator,” Civitelli said. “I look forward to working with county leadership, residents at large and our community partners and to continue the amazing work that Florida staff has done over the last several years.”
Civitelli replaces former administrator Patricia Boswell, who retired in January.
Construction at Sanchez Park in Ormond Beach began on Monday, March 14, and the city announced that, while the park remains open, amenities may at times be reduced during construction, particularly access to the boat ramp and parking,
According to the city’s announcement on its website, the construction is part of the 2022 Shell Parking Lot Restoration project. The City Commission approved a $65,331.15 bid at its Jan. 18 meeting.
Ormond Beach city staff have received a site plan proposing the construction of a five-story hotel at 251 S. Atlantic Ave., one of the last empty oceanfront lots in Ormond Beach.
Ormond Holdings, LLC is proposing the hotel span 95,700 square feet and have 137 rooms, according to its Site Plan Review Committee application.
