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Public comments urge deeper Nova Canal dredging, Midtown events, park options and zoning review
Summary
Residents urged the city to revisit Nova Canal dredging depth, proposed turning a former driver's license station area into a pond or park, suggested Midtown‑focused festivals and reported potential interest in redeveloping the Campbell Hotel; a separate resident asked the city to standardize a 20‑foot fence setback that he said is being applied inconsistently.
Public comment at the Midtown Redevelopment Board raised multiple neighborhood issues and ideas.
John Nickerson, a Midtown resident, asked the city to reexamine dredging at Nova Canal, arguing that removing one foot of sediment is insufficient when five feet of muck have accumulated. “If you've accumulated 5 feet of muck and you take out 1 foot, it still leaves 4 foot of muck that will not accommodate water,” he said, and urged the city to ask the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to check the original design depth.
Nickerson also proposed converting the area south of the old driver's license station into a pond or park to help absorb water and suggested Midtown host larger cultural events tied to local figures such as Mary McLeod Bethune to draw neighborhood attendance.
Pierre Lewis raised an administrative concern about a reportedly required 20‑foot front setback for residential fences. Lewis said he found no such setback in the county land‑development code and asked that the city ensure consistent application across Daytona Beach or revise the rule if necessary; he said he would put the request in writing for the commissioner.
Board and staff responses included commitments to pass specific enforcement information to command staff (in the public‑safety complaint) and to circulate Midtown accomplishments and meeting schedules; staff said some property purchases remain newly closed and procurement steps continue.
