City Commission considers new zoning overlays for Reed Ellis and Collins Road

The Commission Workshop held on March 29, 2025, in Deltona, Florida, focused primarily on the discussion of zoning overlays aimed at enhancing land use regulations within the city. The meeting began with an overview of proposed zoning overlays, which are specific regulations that supplement existing zoning laws.

The commission proposed several overlays, including the Reed Ellis overlay, designed to protect natural features such as wetlands and wildlife habitats. Another proposed overlay, the Collins Road overlay, aims to safeguard agricultural land and promote farming activities. Additionally, the Fish Hog overlay shares similar objectives of protecting agricultural areas. The Activity Center overlay was also discussed, which would allow for mixed-use developments, although current regulations do not mandate such uses.

Commission members sought feedback on whether to adopt these additional overlays or maintain the existing regulations. A significant point of discussion revolved around the potential subdivision of overlays and how this might affect the city’s regulatory framework. Concerns were raised about whether subdividing overlays could lead to developers uniting against the city’s interests.

City officials reassured the commission that as long as the overarching goals of the overlays are coherent and relevant to their respective areas, the city would be in a strong position to defend its regulations. However, they cautioned against introducing too many overlays with conflicting objectives, as this could complicate the regulatory landscape.

The meeting concluded with an acknowledgment of the need for careful consideration in the development of zoning overlays to ensure they align with the city’s broader goals. The commission plans to continue evaluating the proposed overlays and their implications for land use in Deltona.