Daytona Beach residents press city to fix unsafe sidewalks in Mosaic development

Daytona Beach commissioners heard repeated complaints July 16 from residents of the Mosaic subdivision who said sidewalks and related infrastructure there are a safety hazard and have been for years. Residents pressed the city to require repairs and to hold the developer accountable. The concern centers on settled and uneven sidewalks, water pooling from adjacent irrigation and drainage, and what residents described as a piecemeal construction process that left many walkways out of slope and coated in algae or organic film. "My husband fell last year across the street," said Nancy Denza, a Mosaic resident. "Our neighborhood consists of senior citizens and children. Our children should be able to play on the sidewalk." The issue drew sustained discussion during the commission meeting and a response from city staff. Andy Holmes, assistant city manager for infrastructure, said city staff and the developer have met repeatedly and that the city has identified which sidewalk sections are the city's legal responsibility and which remain the developer's. "We are planning with the developer a what's essentially a joint repair project for the sidewalks in Mosaic," Holmes said, adding that staff has evaluated the city-owned sections and will prepare detailed cost estimates. "Total cost for the city on the order of a million dollars," he said. Why it matters: residents said the condition is contributing to trips, falls and near-misses and could lead to higher insurance costs or liability claims; many residents described multiple incidents and worry the problem will worsen without coordinated repairs. What staff proposed: Holmes described a multi-step approach: complete evaluations of affected sidewalks, prepare contractor cost estimates, identify a funding source, return to the commission with an agenda item to approve funding, and then stage construction to maintain access and parking. Holmes said staff expects the cost estimates within about two weeks and that construction would take several months and likely be done in phases. "You can't tear up the whole thing at once because then nobody's gonna have a place to park," he said. Residents' requests and city responses: speakers told commissioners they had repeatedly sought help from the developer and city departments with little lasting effect. Brenda Bowser said she has compiled a list of more than 30 documented falls in the neighborhood and said she had provided that record to city attorneys. Holmes acknowledged that some recordkeeping and acceptance decisions made under prior managers complicate the situation: "Some of this happened then, and that's why we don't have inspection records for some of this," he said. He also described the city's legal remedy for unrepaired developer-responsible work: performance bonds that can be called if the developer fails to act. Next steps and implementation risk: staff said it will prepare a formal cost estimate and return with a funding request for commission consideration. Holmes said the city will coordinate work with the developer so driveways and aprons are adjusted simultaneously to avoid trip hazards. He warned that identifying funding will take time and that the coordination and construction present logistical challenges. Community context: speakers said many Mosaic residents are seniors and families with young children and that the problems have persisted through multiple construction phases. Several residents and speakers with construction or engineering backgrounds urged the city to require cohesive civil plans, to verify contractor qualifications for future work and to ensure final grading and drainage conform to accepted standards. Ending: Commissioners and staff acknowledged the problem and directed follow-up. Holmes said staff will complete cost estimates and return to the commission with a proposed agenda item; residents were urged to use upcoming HOA meetings and staff briefings to follow progress.