The Deltona City Commission on July 7 approved Ordinance No. 12‑2024, rezoning about 36.46 acres along North Normandy Boulevard from single‑family residential (R‑1‑AA) to Mixed‑Use Planned Unit Development (MPUD), after a rehearing requested by the applicant.

The rehearing centered on three issues the commission had flagged previously: (1) a 160‑foot buffer between new multifamily buildings and existing homes; (2) routing heavy truck traffic to Graves Avenue and Helen Boulevard rather than through neighborhoods; and (3) upgraded landscaping and walkability for commercial areas along Normandy Boulevard. "The proposal represents a strategic and compatible reuse of key property within the activity center," Jordan Smith, planning staff, said, recommending approval.

The applicant’s attorney, Michael Woods, urged approval and warned of financial and legal consequences if the denial at second reading stood. "We went through that point by point at the first reading to establish that basically, he drew a PD document to match and answer all those concerns in the comp plan," Woods told the commission. Woods said the project team had coordinated a traffic impact analysis with Volusia County and that the TIA had been found acceptable for rezoning purposes.

Commissioners focused much of the discussion on traffic and protecting nearby neighborhoods. "We have to think of the safety of our residents, their homes, and our roads," Commissioner Villavazquez said, pressing for restrictions on commercial trucks using neighborhood streets. Commissioner Villavazquez also said she would not support approval until she was comfortable that the project would not worsen wear on neighborhood streets.

Commissioner Santiago moved to approve the ordinance; Vice Mayor Harriott seconded. Commissioner Caldwell asked for a stipulation that at least 75% of commercial development receive certificates of occupancy before residential construction begins. The applicant declined that specific condition as unreasonable; instead the commission amended the motion to require coordinated site work so grading/site preparation for the residential and nonresidential components begins together. The applicant indicated that site work and groundwork at project start was acceptable.

The motion passed on the commission floor (roll‑call recorded during the meeting). The ordinance approves up to 343 units with the developer’s current plan calling for about 320 units on Lot 5 and principal permitted nonresidential uses on Lots 1–4 including flex space, office, restaurants and retail. The MPUD text prohibits indoor/outdoor storage and contains architectural standards that staff said will be enforced at site plan stage. Volusia County’s review of the traffic impact analysis was described as complete for rezoning purposes; specific roadway and turn‑lane improvements and fair‑share contributions will be required at site plan.

Jordan Smith noted the site lies in Deltona’s activity center and that the comprehensive plan requires PUD review for development there. Applicant representative Scott Banta and attorney Woods said they had assembled the parcels over several years and had worked with staff to meet comp plan policy goals.

The decision does not itself approve site plans or building permits; those will return to staff and the commission where required. Commissioners who supported the rezoning said the MPUD would help realize the city’s activity‑center vision if required mitigation and design standards are satisfied. Those who opposed or voted no emphasized continued concerns about traffic, neighborhood impacts and assurance that commercial uses are delivered as promised.

Votes and formal motion text are recorded in the meeting minutes and in the ordinance adoption resolution.