The Volusia County Council meeting on February 11, 2025, focused on pressing issues surrounding stormwater management and development regulations in response to ongoing flooding concerns. The discussions highlighted the need for a temporary moratorium on new developments to allow for updates to zoning and land use codes.

Several council members and community members expressed frustration over the current state of development practices, arguing that existing regulations do not adequately protect residents from flooding. One speaker emphasized that a moratorium would provide the necessary time to revise these codes and address the critical flooding situation in the county. Concerns were raised about the inadequacy of proposed improvements, which were described as insufficient to mitigate the impacts of ongoing construction and existing projects.

Gary Singleton, a resident, criticized the council for delaying discussions on the moratorium and accused them of deflecting blame for flooding onto natural factors rather than addressing the role of developers. He called for stronger ordinances to protect citizens from flooding and urged the council to take meaningful action rather than relying on ineffective measures.

Melissa Lammers, chair of the Environmental Natural Resources Advisory Committee, acknowledged the challenges of updating outdated ordinances but stressed the importance of the new stormwater ordinance aimed at minimizing future flooding. She noted that ongoing studies may lead to further updates to the ordinance as new information becomes available.

Other residents, including John Chaney and Connie Colby, voiced their concerns about specific provisions in the proposed amendments, advocating for stricter regulations on low-impact development and better mapping of wetlands to ensure comprehensive oversight of new projects.

The meeting underscored a growing demand from the community for more robust environmental protections and a reevaluation of development practices in light of increasing flooding risks. The council's next steps will be crucial in determining how effectively they can address these pressing issues and restore public trust.