- January 22, 2025
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Concerns about exiting flooding issues led the Ormond Beach City Commission to unanimously deny a 31-home subdivision proposed west of I-95 near Hunter's Ridge on Tuesday, Jan. 21.
The commission turned down a rezoning, development order and amendment to the Hunter's Ridge Development of Regional Impact that would have led to the construction of the Little Tomoka Village subdivision, as well as an an Eastern Orthodox church and a community center, on a 50-acre property located north of West Granada Boulevard and east of Shadow Crossings Boulevard.
The development had come before the board with a 4-2 recommendation by the city's Planning Board to approve, as the majority of the board favored the construction of homes rather than what is currently allowed under the DRI and existing Suburban Residential zoning: 50-multifamily units.
However, commissioners felt that, though the project was proposing to reserve the majority of the 15 acres of wetlands onsite, the risk to nearby homes — which are already seeing some flooding — was too great.
"I just feel like when we pave this with the parking lot, when we put these lots raised up, because it's going to need a lot of fill, that we're going to have potential flooding issues because it's going to flood into the wetland area and it's going to flood into the neighborhood behind it," Commissioner Travis Sargent said.
Photos of flooding behind Ormond Beach resident Art Loguidice's home, located near the proposed subdivision, were shared with the commission. Loguidice said that when storms roll in, much of the property is underwater. The existing creek isn't being maintained either, he added.
"So behind my house, it's just like a bowl now," Loguidice said. "So the flow is not what it was 30 years ago, and I've been there 32 years."
Mark Watts, the attorney representing the developer, Leeds Holdings Southeast Inc., said much of the issues brought up by the three residents who spoke at the meeting were outside of the boundaries of his client's property.
During his presentation to the commission, Watts spoke about the conservation of wetlands on the site, as well as the reduction in density. Per the Hunter's Ridge DRI, approved in 1991, a developer may purchase the property and be entitled to build 50-multifamily units, with less stringent stormwater standards, without going before the commission for approval.
"I know that there's a lot of discussion now with regard to stormwater," Watts said. "I know that there's a lot of discussion with regard to the particular property. ... In the context of that discussion, the plan in front of you makes a whole lot more sense than what the current rights are for that property."
City Commissioner Lori Tolland said she was leery about the proposed development because of the existing flooding concerns.
"The county is discussing ways of helping residents, and I think that this project has potential to add to that problem," she said.
Commissioner Kristin Deaton said the development didn't make sense.
"I ran my campaign on a 'Make it make sense' mentality when it comes to development," Deaton said. "This doesn't make sense to me."
Deaton also asked the developer, who was present at the meeting, if he would proceed with the purchase of the property if the commission denied the project. The developer said no.
If the church wanted to proceed with construction, the church would need to obtain a special exception.
