The Daytona Beach Planning Board on June 26 recommended approval of a rezoning request to allow construction of a 24‑story, 260‑room hotel and restaurant at 1299 South Atlantic Avenue.

Staff found the rezoning request consistent with the Land Development Code and recommended the board forward the plan development general (PDG) rezoning to the City Commission. Planning Director Dennis Merzak told the board that "staff does find the request, to rezone, meets the criteria of sections 3 4 d 3 and 4 8 b of the land development code." The board voted 5–1 to recommend approval; the item is slated for City Commission first reading on Aug. 6 and second reading Aug. 20.

The developer proposes a full‑service, five‑star hotel with 260 rooms, a public restaurant, spa and event space, an oceanfront pool and a rooftop bar. Architect Matthew Picard described the design to the board, saying, "This is designed as a 5 star luxury hotel," and walked members through the podium/parking layout, guest amenities and a pool deck on the seventh floor. The plan calls for 308 parking spaces and a podium parking configuration with valet stackers. Attorney Robert Merrill and owner Pablo Pena Peniela represented the applicant during the hearing.

The rezoning request includes a waiver to the T1 side‑setback formula that would otherwise require an 87.5‑foot setback for the proposed height; the applicant proposed varying side setbacks between 25 and 60 feet to fit the lot configuration. The package also anticipates a forthcoming Land Development Code amendment at the City Commission that would change sign rules; the applicant requested flexibility for a uniform sign program in the PD agreement. Merzak told the board that FAA review will be required for any structure of the proposed height and that FAA approval will be part of later site‑plan approvals.

Public commenters and nearby property owners largely supported the project, citing increased lodging capacity for events at the Ocean Center and potential uplift to the beachside tax base. Jim Cameron of Jim Cameron Consulting and several residents said the hotel would help meet demand for higher‑end rooms in Daytona Beach. Adjacent property representatives said they had met previously with the applicant and that some neighbors have been consulted during the project design.

Applicants and the project civil/structural engineer discussed shoreline and seawall work; civil engineer Luis Anthony Vigliati told the board he already has a five‑year FDP‑approved seawall design for the site and has worked with state and federal permitting agencies. During questioning, the applicant estimated a roughly 30‑month construction schedule once permits and financing are in place, and acknowledged additional site‑plan reviews and permits will follow the rezoning approval.

The planning board forwarded the PDG rezoning to the City Commission with a recommendation of approval. The City Commission will hold public hearings on the ordinance in August; the rezoning and site plan will still be subject to subsequent site‑plan review, building permits and FAA and coastal permitting as required.