DeLand historic board recommends demolition of 1619 Parade Circle to City Commission

The DeLand Historic Preservation Board on March 1 recommended that the City Commission approve a demolition permit for the commercial building at 1619 Parade Circle, a frame vernacular structure built in 1939 that has been vacant since 2023.

City of DeLand historic preservation staff said the applicant, Peace of Mind Environmental Incorporated, submitted the demolition application on behalf of owner DIC Holdings LLC and that the site would be scheduled for final action by the City Commission on April 7. Staff reported that “no formal applications have been submitted yet” for redevelopment and that the building is outside the downtown historic support district and surrounded by industrial properties near Old Daytona Road and Lake Drive.

Emily, City of DeLand historic preservation staff, told the board the application was reviewed under Land Development and Regulation section 33-35 and that staff “has not found any historic or architectural significance for this building.” She said the structure is frame vernacular and that similar buildings remain common in the city, but added that staff could not determine structural integrity because no interior inspection or structural report had been provided.

Lance Simarge, representing owner DIC Holdings LLC, said his company purchased the parcel late last year and has not had keys or access to the building. “When we originally submitted for the demolition permit, we went through Peace of Mind,” Simarge said, adding that he understood earlier conversations with staff indicated redevelopment alignment. He said the owner’s priority is avoiding code-enforcement and liability issues while pursuing an industrial redevelopment concept for multiple adjoining parcels.

Staff noted an asbestos survey was completed and provided in the meeting packet; the consultant’s report was described as “clean,” indicating no asbestos findings from that test. Staff also said a nearby property at 1611 had been visually inspected and was approved for demolition after staff found it in “pretty rough shape,” while 1619 appeared externally “structurally sound” from a visual inspection but required interior photos or a structural report for a full assessment.

Board discussion cited the surrounding industrial context and the parcel owner’s redevelopment plans. The board moved to approve a recommendation to the City Commission to grant the demolition permit for 1619 Parade Circle, with the board chair calling for the recommendation to be forwarded to the April 7 City Commission meeting for final action.

Ending: The board’s recommendation is advisory; the City Commission will take final action on April 7. Staff said the owner may pursue annexations and lot combinations for adjacent parcels as part of a longer redevelopment plan, but no formal redevelopment applications for the site had been filed at the time of the meeting.