Residents urge Volusia County to block Creek Crossing rezone, citing century‑old trees and hydrologic risks

Dozens of residents, property owners and local professionals urged Volusia County officials on Aug. 5 to reject or strictly limit proposed development known as Creek Crossing on the Spruce Creek corridor, saying the site’s century‑old hardwoods, hydrology and wildlife corridor should be preserved. Why it matters: Speakers said Creek Crossing’s proposed density and construction would replace tree‑covered recharge areas and hardwood root systems that hold stormwater, recharge the aquifer and support wildlife movement from the Farmton Wildlife Management Area to Spruce Creek and Rose Bay. Several presenters called the land “nonrenewable” and recommended acquisition via Volusia Forever or ECHO conservation funds. What residents said: Residents, homeowners associations and local scientists described the site as heavily treed and hydrologically connected across the Tomoka Basin. Real‑estate appraiser and hydrology specialist Jan Albert said the property’s root systems and hydro‑camic soils are connected, that clearing would kill trees beyond any 100‑foot easement and cause mudslides and widened downstream flooding. Gary Singleton and other residents estimated large quantities of storm runoff would be released by development and urged the council to side with neighbors over developers. Developer and council context: Presenters at the meeting noted the rezone must proceed through the Planning and Land Development Regulation Commission (PLDRC) before a quasi‑judicial hearing at county council; council members stressed legal limits on ex parte comments and the need to consider evidence during any hearing. Some speakers noted that the parcel intersected species and preservation interests and that Volusia Forever‑purchased land nearby ought to remain protected. What council said: Council members told residents the item was not yet scheduled for a hearing and reminded the public that quasi‑judicial rules require disclosures for ex parte communications; Councilman David Santiago said the council must withhold judgement until hearings and testimony are received but said he understood the strong neighborhood concerns. Ending: The Creek Crossing project remains in the pre‑hearing stage: residents were encouraged to file formal input and to attend the PLDRC hearing when the item is scheduled. County staff and council signaled that any future vote will follow the quasi‑judicial process and will be based on the hearing record.