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Council confirms Waterstone final plat; staff and council pledge trail connection for Ormond Scenic Loop amid flooding concerns
Summary
Volusia County approved the Waterstone final plat on consent and discussed commitments to build a hiking/biking trail linking Plantation Oaks Park to James Ormond Park. Residents and conservation groups raised concerns about flooding and wet buffers; staff described ongoing design and permitting and mitigation plans.
The County Council approved the Waterstone final plat as part of its consent agenda on Feb. 4, while staff and members of the public discussed the Ormond Scenic Loop & Trail and localized flooding concerns in the area north of the I‑95 bridge.
Suzanne Schreiber of Dream Green Volusia urged the council to confirm that the trail will be constructed from the county‑owned Plantation Oaks (the 13‑acre parcel bought with conservation funds) to James Ormond Park and asked staff to hold a stakeholder meeting to address wetland and flooding concerns. She recounted long community engagement in protecting the Ormond Scenic Loop and requested written follow‑through.
Council members and staff responded that the county’s prior land purchase was intended to support the trail. Clay Urban, director of growth and resource management, and other staff described a preliminary trail alignment that would use county‑owned park land to meander away from the road where possible and then follow the public right‑of‑way north to connect to James Ormond Park. An alternate loop on the east side of Old Dixie Highway was described in coordination with the Florida Park Service and Bulow Creek State Park leadership, though staff said parts of that terrain are wet and will require environmental permitting.
Residents and several council members also raised persistent flooding on Old Dixie Highway and nearby areas, noting standing water that is damaging heritage oak trees. Public Works Director Ben Bartlett said county crews had installed culverts at one low spot that alleviated localized pooling and that the stretch of Beach Street near the bridge needed elevation and is in design as part of a Transform 386 project; he said design and permitting should finish in roughly six months with construction funded through state and program funds. Staff said Halifax Plantation stormwater systems were reviewed and no unpermitted deviations were found, but that increased rainfall intensity and higher water tables are contributing factors.
Council chair Jeff Brower said the county remains committed to completing the trail and that Waterstone’s final plat dedication includes a 13‑acre park area intended for a trailhead and alignment. The Waterstone plat was placed on consent and approved by the council.
