Council adopts voluntary Low Impact Development program and guidance manual after debate over mandatory rules

Volusia County’s council voted to establish a voluntary Low Impact Development (LID) program—comprising a comp‑plan amendment, zoning and land‑development ordinance changes and a published guidance manual—after extended discussion about whether elements should be mandatory.

What passed: On separate motions the council approved the comp‑plan amendment (ordinance 2025‑02), the zoning/LDR changes (ordinance 2025‑03) and a resolution adopting the LID guidance manual (resolution 2025‑**) that lays out a menu of best‑management practices and related incentives. The comp‑plan and zoning measures authorize conservation or cluster subdivision approaches in urban categories, remove code barriers to LID practices (for example, continuous curb requirements that block vegetated conveyances) and direct staff procedures for program administration.

Program design and how it works County staff and NRAC described the LID program as a voluntary, incentive‑driven menu designed to encourage developers and property owners to “mimic the natural stormwater process…