Planning board approves code change to allow food pantries as accessory uses to places of worship in redevelopment areas

The Daytona Beach Planning Board voted Nov. 21 to recommend a text amendment to the Land Development Code that would remove a prohibition on food pantries operating as accessory uses to places of worship inside redevelopment areas.

Dennis Mrozek, Planning Director, told the board the change (DEV2024-689) removes a clause in Article 5, Section 52b that currently prohibits food pantries as accessory uses to places of worship located in redevelopment areas. Mrozek said the amendment is intended to "make it fair right across the board" because the use is allowed outside redevelopment areas.

Board members asked whether redevelopment boards had been consulted. Mrozek said redevelopment staff had been briefed and redevelopment boards are invited to attend City Commission hearings, but the text amendment is not required to be routed to redevelopment boards for a recommendation. One board member said the report should document redevelopment boards’ input when an impacted entity exists.

A pantry representative who identified involvement with a local food pantry spoke in favor, saying the change would allow faith-based providers to serve community needs more uniformly.

A board member moved to approve the text amendment to remove the prohibition; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. Staff said the item will go to the City Commission for a first reading on Dec. 4 and a second reading Dec. 18, 2024.

What’s next: The Planning Board’s recommendation will be transmitted to City Commission for public hearings in December 2024.