Planning board approves rezoning of 15.5-acre parcel at South Blue Lake Avenue and East Beresford Avenue

The City of DeLand Planning Board voted to approve Z25115 on a motion and roll-call vote after staff recommended rezoning a 15.5-acre parcel at the northwest corner of South Blue Lake Avenue and East Beresford Avenue from Volusia County R-3 to the city’s R-1A single-family residential district.

Kendall Story, senior planner, told the board the property was annexed to the city on March 3, 2025, and that staff’s analysis finds the requested R-1A designation is compatible with the city’s low-density residential future land-use designation. Story said the school board issued a letter dated Jan. 16 saying there is adequate capacity and that staff recommends approval based on findings in the staff report.

During public comment, resident George Wright said the site contains “reindeer moss,” which he described as an endangered lichen that “only grows in 4 areas in Florida” and told the board “it’s federally protected,” adding that disturbance of specimens could trigger substantial fines (he said “it’s a $25,000 fine”). Wright also warned that local clay soils and a 330-foot shared border with his property make him concerned that development-related runoff would cause flooding onto his parcel. Mary Wayne Wright, speaking for neighbors, said she did not object to development generally but opposed smaller lots (she described 8,000-square-foot lots as difficult to accept) and urged the applicant and city to ensure water is handled so nearby roads and properties are not adversely affected.

Board members and staff discussed environmental safeguards and the review process. Staff counsel explained a statutory change this year limits which plat and construction-plan reviews come before the board and noted that final plats and construction plans are now often administratively approved; staff said an endangered-species report will be required as part of any subsequent preliminary-plat submittal and that the city forester will ensure compliance with applicable state and federal protections prior to ground disturbance.

The board disclosed a conflict-of-interest form for member Troy Baumgartner; staff stated Baumgartner’s firm is a broker for the property and referenced Florida Statute 112.3143 regarding participation rules. After disclosures and discussion, the motion to approve Z25115 passed (the transcript records the motion as carried by roll-call vote). The rezoning will proceed to the City Commission for two readings as required.