Volusia County LID presentation draws municipal interest; two projects to implement standards

NRAC members heard that a recent Volusia County Association for Responsible Development (vCard) seminar—presented jointly with the Florida Planning and Zoning Association—brought local policymakers, planners and developers together to review a county Low Impact Development (LID) incentive program and related technical guidance.

Samantha West, staff, summarized the seminar and said the presentation reached elected officials as well as staff and private-sector attendees. "It was well attended, and the policymakers were in the room," West said. County staff and outside vendors (including Ferguson Water Works) explained technologies and incentive structures.

Staff reported at least one planned project that will implement LID standards: a planned PUD that included LID requirements already in its development agreement and was approved by council the night before the meeting. Jessica Gough said she is aware of a second project in New Smyrna that plans to rework a townhome project and implement LID features; she described that as an early demonstration of local uptake.

Committee members discussed whether incentives alone would be effective and cautioned about relying solely on vendor-led promotion. Several members argued for demonstration projects and cost/benefit analyses to show developers the economic rationale for LID measures.

Ending: NRAC discussed incentives and demonstration projects and agreed to keep LID incentive ideas on a list of possible future activities; no ordinance changes were proposed at the meeting because voluntary incentive programs are not restricted by SB 180.