The Daytona Beach Planning Board on July 24 recommended approval of a Land Development Code text amendment designed to facilitate affordable and inclusive housing, while directing staff to refine any one‑car garage requirement based on the immediate community context.

Emilio Bridal, senior planner, presented proposed amendments to Articles 3, 6 and 11 of the LDC that would increase flexibility through administrative adjustments, add a definition and pathway for "homeowner recovery programs," and permit ADA‑compliant accessibility features (ramps, lifts, landings) and certain mechanical equipment to encroach into required yards. Staff said the goal is to streamline development flexibility and incentives for projects that deliver affordable housing options and accessibility features.

A central point of discussion was whether to require affordable single‑family detached and duplex units to include an enclosed one‑car garage. Bridal presented supporting factors (storage, neighborhood compatibility) and drawbacks (increased construction cost, potential reduction in unit density where lot space is constrained). Board members debated tradeoffs: some argued garages improve neighborhood compatibility and offer protected storage, while others warned that adding garages increases cost and may reduce the total number of affordable units built.

The board opted not to impose a blanket citywide garage mandate. Instead, the motion the board approved directs staff to craft a code approach that considers the character of the immediate community — for example, requiring garages where surrounding homes typically have them and allowing flexibility where they do not. Board members also supported allowing homeowner recovery programs to access streamlined incentives and permitting ADA accessibility elements and specified mechanical equipment to intrude into yard setbacks to facilitate inclusive design.

Staff indicated the item will go to the City Commission for first reading on 09/03/2025 and second reading on 09/17/2025. Motion and outcome: the board voted to recommend approval of the LDC text amendment (DEV‑2025‑221) with the instruction that any garage requirement be tied to the immediate community standard and that staff return with proposed code language reflecting that direction.

The amendment, if adopted, would be used to implement and incentivize small‑scale affordable projects and homeowner recovery initiatives; specifics about incentives, program eligibility and any final garage standards will be finalized through the code drafting process and the City Commission hearings.