Commission forwards Woodruff Ridge PUD amendment to County Council, emphasizing low‑impact design and Spring-to‑Spring trail link

Woodruff Ridge planned unit development amendment forwarded to County Council for recommendation after staff and applicant described new low‑impact design elements and trail connections.

The Volusia County Land Planning and Land Development Regulation Commission on a unanimous vote agreed to forward a small‑scale comprehensive plan amendment and companion PUD amendment that would add about 19.15 acres to the previously approved Volusia Land & Timber development, increasing the PUD’s unit cap while reducing overall density and adding low‑impact development (LID) stormwater features and a planned connection for the Spring‑to‑Spring Trail.

Why it matters: The applicant said the added acreage lets the project lower per‑acre density while expanding stormwater treatment, tree preservation and active‑recreation amenities. Commissioners and staff treated the application as a test case for new county LID guidance, and discussed whether the planned trail alignment and stormwater approach would reduce downstream flooding risks and increase connectivity to the SunRail station area.

Staff presentation and recommendation Staff planning and project manager Scott Shams summarized the requests: a comprehensive plan change from Rural to Urban Low Intensity for roughly 19.15 acres adjacent to the existing PUD and a major PUD amendment that would restate the master plan as Woodruff Ridge and increase the overall permitted units from 121 to…