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DeLand moves to allow small shade structures and indoor recreation in downtown; first reading passes
Summary
On May 19 the City Commission approved first reading of a land development regulation amendment to allow shade structures under 800 sq ft and indoor recreation facilities under 5,000 sq ft (as conditional uses) in targeted commercial districts and to add an administrative extension procedure for expired development plans.
The DeLand City Commission on May 19 approved on first reading a city-initiated amendment to the Land Development Regulations that would (1) allow standalone or attached shade structures under 800 square feet in specified downtown and commercial districts, (2) permit indoor recreation uses under 5,000 square feet as a conditional use in C2A zoning, and (3) add an administrative extension procedure for expired development plans.
Carol (planning staff) presented the proposal and said the change grew out of requests from small businesses and child-care providers that currently cannot install modest shade structures in downtown because the code did not provide a permitted path. “We took a look at the code and said, hey, why not allow a small shade structure? This is Florida, so it does get a little hot,” Carol told the commission. She added staff would require building permits and noted planning would continue to enforce design and Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) requirements where applicable.
Carol also described the proposed definition for indoor recreation: “Examples would include golf simulators, ax throwing, batting cages, go kart tracks, and all activities must be located inside of the building.” The change would allow indoor recreation facilities under 5,000 square feet as a conditional use in C2A to expand downtown activity options.
The text amendment also creates an administrative path for extensions of development plan approvals so staff — rather than the commission — can process extensions when projects are phasing through permitting and the 90-day approval window would otherwise expire.
Commissioners discussed permitting, building-safety requirements and compatibility with historic-district design review; staff said any permanent installations subject to COA or building-code requirements would continue to follow those processes. After discussion, the commission approved the ordinance on first reading. Staff expects to return with final language and a second reading at a future meeting.
