Commission roundup: budget workshop dates set, several land‑use votes advance, single historic tree removal approved

The City of DeLand City Commission used its June 16 meeting to schedule budget workshops, advance multiple land‑use ordinances on first reading, approve routine purchases and a property acquisition, and take a set of public‑comment petitions.

Budget workshops: commissioners set tentative dates Commissioners discussed several date options for the city’s annual budget workshops. After back‑and‑forth about staff availability and existing community events, the commission moved to “attempt to set times for the seventh, eighth and ninth” (with flexibility to adjust if needed). The motion by Commissioner Kevin Reed, seconded by Commissioner Paiva, carried. Staff indicated the sessions will generally begin in the early evening (food at about 5:00 p.m., meetings at about 5:30 p.m.), subject to final scheduling and public notice.

Land use and zoning: multiple first readings approved On consent or as first readings the commission approved several land‑use and zoning items: a land‑use amendment for roughly 6.36 acres at 1100 S. Garfield Avenue to change from Volusia County urban medium intensity to the city’s low‑density residential; adding an institutional overlay to roughly 49.37 acres at 1200 S. Garfield Avenue (public services campus); and rezoning about 46.97 acres at 1101 S. Amelia Avenue to create a contiguous R‑1B zoning district for the city’s public services campus. Each item passed on first reading with staff and planning‑board recommendations in support.

Tree items and single‑tree removal In addition to the larger Deland Tech Park decision (separate article), the commission approved removal of one historic tree at 800 W. Rich Avenue after staff described it as structurally failing. Acting city forester Mary Ellen Calabrio recommended replacing the tree with one six‑inch caliper canopy tree on city property; the commission approved the measure by voice vote.

Consent and other routine actions - Consent agenda approvals (items 1–5 and 7) passed as moved and seconded at the start of the meeting. Item 6 (a generator for an additional lift station) was pulled for brief discussion and then approved; staff said generators are being added incrementally as budgets allow and that they would provide a status update on how many stations remain without permanent generators. - The commission approved the purchase of property adjacent to the utility campus (1265 Aquarius Avenue) to expand utility operations. - The commission approved a letter of support for Family Renew Community’s CDBG application. Lindsay Elliott, Family Renew’s executive director, described needed repairs to an aging facility (roof, plumbing, electrical, HVAC) that supports transitional housing for families experiencing homelessness; the commission voted to provide the requested letter of support.

Continuances and procedural items Three items on the agenda (first readings for an annexation, a land‑use change, and a zoning change tied to the Delaney Trinity Reserve) were continued to the July 7 meeting at staff request. The commission also set a tentative schedule for budget workshops (attempting July 7–9 with flexibility) as noted above.

Public comments Several residents spoke during public comment: two neighbors requested sidewalks or traffic calming on a two‑block stretch of North Boston Avenue to improve safety for small children and elderly residents; a resident raised concerns about the condition and maintenance of the former golf course known as the Beresford Reserve and requested a meeting; and other community members offered brief remarks.

What to expect next Most of the first‑reading ordinances will return for second readings at later meetings; the city will publish public notices for the budget workshop schedule and for the continued items on July 7. Staff indicated follow‑up on tree mitigation, conservation easements, and the generator program would be handled through planning and public works workflows.