Huntington Beach Villas amendment delayed to allow neighborhood concerns and technical review

Flagler County’s Planning and Zoning Board on Jan. 30 tabled a requested amendment to the Huntington Beach Villas real estate development agreement to the Feb. 12 meeting after public commenters raised concerns about increased unit counts, a smaller amenity center and irrigation/water-source changes.

The public raised several detailed concerns after staff announced a continuance was likely. One resident said advertising and the county’s notice had been received and that the neighborhood believed the applicant was seeking an increase in units while simultaneously reducing the amenity center’s size. The commenter said the neighborhood had contracted for homes with a particular amenity plan and that reducing amenities while increasing residents felt unfair.

The resident also noted the amendment language included a potential change from drawing irrigation water from retention ponds and city reclaimed water to using wells, and asked at whose expense wells would be installed. Planning staff encouraged neighbors to contact staff prior to the Feb. 12 hearing to make their concerns part of the record; staff said the applicant had requested a continuance and that the board normally keeps the public comment open for the subsequent meeting if a date-certain continuance is granted.

Board members remarked on the lack of a mandatory neighborhood meeting provision in the land development code, and one board member said such meetings earlier in the process would reduce surprise at planning board hearings. The board voted unanimously to table application 31 63 to Feb. 12 at 6 p.m.

The tabling was procedural; no final action was taken on amendments to unit counts, amenity sizes, or water-source options. The board asked staff to ensure the applicant addresses the neighborhood’s concerns and to forward any required technical clarifications ahead of the Feb. 12 hearing.