The Daytona Beach Planning Board on July 24 recommended approval of a Land Development Code text amendment to expand where event centers may locate in the city, including several professional and Midtown redevelopment zoning districts.

Rose Askew, project manager in Economic Development and Strategic Opportunities, told the board the amendment would add event centers as a special use in the residential professional (RP), office professional (OP) and business professional (BP) zoning districts and permit them in RDM1 and RDM2. For RDM3 through RDM6, staff proposed allowing event centers only along streets designated as major city thoroughfares. Askew said the amendment responds to requests to support activity and reinvestment in Midtown and other areas while protecting residential neighborhoods.

Askew emphasized that event centers, as defined in the code, are year‑round commercial uses requiring business licensing and internal controls; they are distinct from temporary special events such as Bike Week or COBRA Fest. In response to a board inquiry asking whether the amendment applied to large temporary events, Askew said, "Absolutely not. It doesn't have anything to do with that."

Staff recommended approval, noting that event centers were already permitted or allowed as special uses in several residential and redevelopment districts and that this amendment clarifies compatibility and locations in additional districts. There were no public speakers on the item.

Motion and outcome: Planning Board Member (mover) made a motion to approve the LDC text amendment (DEV‑2025‑412). The motion was seconded and passed by voice vote with no opposition. The item will be forwarded to the City Commission for consideration.

If adopted by the commission, the change will give property owners and developers additional clarity about where permanent event center uses may be sited, while limiting their location in certain redevelopment districts to major thoroughfares to reduce neighborhood impacts.