PLDRC approves variances, rezonings and extensions; several items continued to Feb. 20

The Volusia County Planning and Land Development Regulation Commission voted on a slate of variances, rezonings, a special-exception time extension and a PUD reinstatement. Most motions passed unanimously. The commission also continued three cases to the Feb. 20 PLDRC meeting.

Votes at a glance

- Continued to Feb. 20, 2025: Cases V-25-006, V-25-007, V-25-008. Motion to continue carried; mover: Stoney Sixma; second: Miss Craig.

- Approved — Variance V-25-004 (Cob Cole; block barn on Transitional Agriculture A-3). Staff recommended approval of two variances: front yard reduction from 40 feet to 30 feet and side yard reduction from 25 feet to 7 feet for the parcel (3.69 acres). The commission approved the two variances unanimously. Motion by Stoney Sixma; second: Edith Shelley.

- Approved — Variance V-25-009 (Heiser; ADU size on Prime Agriculture A-1). Applicant sought to convert existing 1,686-square-foot home into an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) that would exceed the usual 50% size limit of the new principal dwelling; staff recommended denial but provided conditions. The commission approved the variance subject to the three staff conditions: limiting ADU size to the approved site plan, applicant to file change-of-use with the permit center to convert the principal structure to an ADU, and the ADU must meet principal-structure setback requirements. Motion by Edith Shelley; second: Stoney Sixma. Applicant William Heiser told the commission the existing house’s usable living area is roughly 1,080 square feet and said the converted unit would not be rented and would be used for family visits.

- Approved with conditions — Variances V-25-011 (unpermitted detached garage, canopy and canopy/extension; Rural Agricultural Estate RA). Staff recommended approval with conditions. The commission approved Variance 1 (garage as built) as submitted, approved Variance 2 only for the existing concrete block garage with the western side yard reduced from 25 feet to 12.3 feet provided the enclosed plywood garage extension be removed, and approved Variance 3 (pole-barn canopy) on the condition it remain open and unenclosed; approvals were subject to two staff conditions requiring building permits within 90 days and limiting variances to the size/location shown. Motion by Edith Shelley; second: Stoney Sixma. The applicant Robert Keller agreed to remove the plywood extension; nearby neighbor Bruce Lafleur had opposed the extension and raised concerns about encroachment.

- Approved — Variance V-25-012 (pool enclosure; Transitional Agriculture A-3). Owner Terry Myers requested a variance to construct an 1,117-square-foot accessory structure enclosing a pool used for therapy; the existing pool is 6.8 feet from the rear property line and would require a rear-yard reduction from 40 feet to 6.8 feet if enclosed as a permanent structure. Staff recommended approval; the commission approved the variance unanimously. Motion by Edith Shelley; second: Stoney Sixma. Myers said the hard-roof enclosure is needed for year-round therapy and will be powered by solar where feasible.

- Forwarded to County Council — Case S-25-004 (time extension for special exception — temporary campsites associated with Daytona International Speedway events). The applicant sought a two-year extension to continue operations through Biketoberfest 2026 for an existing temporary campsite area used for major events. Staff recommended approval; the PLDRC voted to forward the case to County Council with a recommendation of approval subject to the staff’s two conditions. Motion by Stoney Sixma; second: Edith Shelley. Applicant Roger Luzner said roadway improvements (a roundabout at Pioneer Trail/CR 415) are under design and coordination with the county engineer, who confirmed right-of-way acquisitions are underway.

- Forwarded to County Council — PUD-24-011 (reinstatement of an expired Business Planned Unit Development). The applicant requested reinstatement of a PUD originally approved in 2008 but expired in 2013; the applicant later appeared and the PLDRC forwarded the rezoning to County Council for final action. Motion to forward by Stoney Sixma; second: Michael Patterson. Applicant attorney Glenn Storch explained the reinstatement and said the applicant will proceed with final-site plan and construction review if Council approves.

- Forwarded to County Council — CPA-24-6 and Z-24-010 (Osteen small-scale comprehensive plan amendment and companion rezoning). The commission found the future land use amendment consistent with the comprehensive plan and recommended forwarding both the CPA and the rezoning to County Council for final action with recommendations of approval. Motion by Edith Shelley; second: Stoney Sixma. Staff said the change would allow townhomes across a split-zoned 12.98-acre site and would increase potential buildout by three units (applicant proposed a maximum of 80 units). Utilities will be managed through Deltona as the project advances.

Procedural notes and voting

Most motions were carried by unanimous voice vote. Commissioners participating in votes included Edith Shelley (mover on several items), Stoney Sixma (regular mover/second), Miss Craig (voting member), Michael Patterson (voting member), and the acting chair Mr. Costa. Mr. Mills was absent. When vote tallies were not enumerated in the record, the commission announced unanimous passage on those items.

What the decisions mean

- Continued cases (V-25-006, V-25-007, V-25-008) will reappear at the Feb. 20 PLDRC meeting for further consideration. - Forwarded rezonings and the special-exception time extension will be scheduled for County Council consideration, where new evidence and testimony may be presented. - Approved variances will proceed to permitting; staff conditions such as required building permits and restrictions to the approved size and location will apply, and unpermitted structures must be brought into compliance or removed as required by permits.