DeLand names Brownfield Advisory Committee as detailed review of Beresford Reserve continues

The DeLand City Commission on Jan. 6 appointed five community members to a Brownfield Advisory Committee that will advise the city and inform nearby residents as filings move through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) remediation process for the Beresford Reserve site.

Why it matters: the Beresford Reserve site includes an old landfill designated as a brownfield. The committee — established by the commission’s resolution — will provide outreach, review submitted technical documents and act as a liaison between staff, the developer and neighbors while FDEP evaluates and approves any remedial action plan required before construction.

What the commission did

Commissioners voted to appoint Joseph DeGatano, Catherine (Clark) Samuels, Dr. Denise DeGarmo, Brian Diaz (expressed interest but absent) and Lance Harding to the committee. The resolution creating the committee was adopted by voice vote.

Committee role and scope explained by staff

City staff explained that the Brownfield Advisory Committee is an advisory body created under Florida law and administered in coordination with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Staff said the committee is not responsible for designing remediation; FDEP will approve a remedial action plan and will administer the actual cleanup.

Key procedural points staff outlined

- The committee will be advisory and limited in duration — it remains active only while remediation and approvals are outstanding and will end once FDEP confirms completion of required remediation.

- The committee’s meetings are public and will be held at City Hall; staff said evening meetings generally work best for the appointed residents.

- City staff and an outside geology consultant will attend committee meetings to explain technical reports and answer questions; the applicant’s preliminary plat and related construction plans will be circulated through the normal technical-review and planning-board processes and will also be provided to the Brownfield Advisory Committee for review.

- A 20-acre park located on the old landfill site must be constructed in the first phase of development per the zoning/planned development approval; the park design and improvements will be part of the materials reviewed in the plat and by the committee.

Applicant perspectives

Three applicants addressed the commission before the vote. Joseph DeGatano described his local roots and project-management experience and said he wanted to help reclaim unused properties for community benefit. Catherine (Clark) Samuels, who lives on the periphery of the Beresford Reserve, said she wanted to ensure the work is done carefully and to protect neighbors. Dr. Denise DeGarmo described her background in occupational health and in advocacy on complex exposure issues and said those skills will be useful when interpreting technical analyses and exposure-pathway information.

What remains to happen

- The developer must submit a remedial action plan to FDEP; staff said construction permits or on-site construction will not be allowed until FDEP approves the remedial action plan.

- Preliminary plat materials (site layout, road access, stormwater, etc.) will be reviewed by technical staff, the Planning Board and the City Commission and will be provided to the Brownfield Advisory Committee as they become available.

- Staff will schedule the Brownfield Advisory Committee’s first meeting and said it will provide meeting notices and outreach to neighbors in the immediate vicinity; staff also said the committee will not carry the reporting or financial-disclosure obligations of elected officials.

Ending: Commissioners thanked the applicants for their patience as the long-running project moves toward the remedial and platting phases; staff will set the committee schedule and circulate technical materials when filed with the city and FDEP.