Council approves purchase of 356 acres; debate flares over motocross, Volusia Forever and ECHO funding

The Volusia County Council unanimously approved a purchase agreement on April 15 to acquire 356 acres from Volusia 44 Properties for conservation and outdoor motorized recreation, but the approval followed more than two hours of staff presentations, council questions and public comment about whether any motorized track — including motocross — belongs in the county’s Florida Wildlife Corridor.

Brad Burball, Volusia County director of Community Services, described the property as a mix of already-cleared uplands and adjacent wetlands that staff proposes to conserve in part and develop in part for active recreation. He said about 80 acres of uplands are already disturbed and that the county would conserve roughly half the tract while keeping active recreation on the previously cleared portion. "We are having active recreation on a site that's already been cleared, and we're protecting and conserving the wetlands so they retain their natural function," Burball said.

Burball said the county expects to separate preserved wetlands from active uses with fencing and to produce a management plan that addresses noise mitigation, pollution control and facility oversight. He said feasibility work by consultants Hunden found a well-located, professionally run complex could produce substantial economic activity over decades.

Council debate focused on three questions: whether the use fits the ballot language for two voter-approved local programs — Volusia ECHO (Environmental, Cultural, Historic and Outdoor Recreation) and Volusia Forever — whether the tract lies within the county’s wildlife corridor and should remain undisturbed, and what the county’s liability and operational model would be if the site hosted motorized recreation.

County staff said the ECHO ballot language allows "outdoor recreation projects for public use," and Volusia Forever’s language includes "resource-based recreation," citing a Florida Department of Environmental Protection definition that lists motorized off-highway-vehicle riding among resource-based activities. Legal counsel and risk management told the council that the county’s sovereign-immunity protections, state recreation statutes and contract indemnities could limit county exposure; staff said operator contracts would require insurance and indemnity provisions.

Public testimony divided sharply. About three dozen speakers addressed the council; many riders and members of local motocross groups said the county lacks a legal facility and urged purchase of the site so local riders and families would have a safe, permitted place to train and compete. Fifteen-year-old Paxton Zavitsky told the council motocross is his “life” and noted the distances families now travel for training. Local riding groups highlighted economic benefits at comparable venues.

Opponents — including conservation groups, Longleaf Pine Preserve advocates and many nearby residents — said the site is inside the Florida Wildlife Corridor and that Volusia Forever funds should be used to acquire and preserve habitat. Opponents also questioned the purchase price and raised environmental concerns including noise, light, runoff and wildlife disturbance. Several speakers requested the council prioritize acquiring land to protect water recharge and habitat instead of enabling motorized uses.

Council members said the vote before them was only to acquire the property. Councilman Jake Johansen asked whether the county would still buy the property if motocross organizers later failed to fund track development; staff replied yes, the wetlands and a significant acreage would be conserved and could be restored to longleaf pine habitat if an events model proved infeasible.

After more than two hours of discussion, Councilman Daniel Robbins moved to approve the purchase as presented. Councilman David Santiago seconded the motion. Councilman Troy Kent later said he would support the purchase to preserve the land; he and others added they expect subsequent decisions and public hearings before any motocross facility would be permitted or constructed. The motion passed 7–0.

Actions recorded at the meeting direct staff to proceed with an acquisition agreement with Volusia 44 Properties LLC; subsequent steps will include finalizing the purchase, preparing management and conservation plans and presenting any future proposals for structured motorized recreation or a public-private operation model to the council for separate approval.