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Commission approves O’Reilly Auto Parts parking variance for De Leon Springs site, 6–1
Summary
The PLDRC approved a request allowing a proposed 7,453 sq ft O’Reilly Auto Parts to increase off-street parking from a 19-space maximum up to 30 spaces after staff review and a parking study; one commissioner dissented, citing concerns about overparking and ITE methodology.
The Volusia County Planning and Land Development Regulation Commission on Feb. 19 approved a variance allowing a proposed 7,453-square-foot O’Reilly Auto Parts store at the northeast corner of U.S. 17 and East David Street to provide up to 30 off-street parking spaces, exceeding the 125% maximum parking standard. The motion passed 6–1.
Planner Kelly Tucker told the commission the code requires a minimum of two spaces per 1,000 square feet and that the site’s maximum under the ordinance would be 19 spaces. Tucker said the applicant’s parking study — reviewed by county development engineering — supported the request and that staff supports the variance after finding it met three of five variance criteria and proposing conditions.
Member Bush, the lone dissent, said she did not agree with the staff analysis and criticized the use of the ITE-based study cited by the applicant. “I am not against O’Reillys going into this location. I definitely think there’s a need, but I am absolutely against overparking this business because it just leads to more urban sprawl,” Member Bush said during the discussion.
Public commenter Amy Munizzi, representing the De Leon Springs Community Association, urged approval, saying the area serves agricultural, marine and federal-lands users who often operate large trucks and trailers that take multiple parking spaces. “We have Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge … they all have large vehicles and large trucks, and they need parts all the time,” Munizzi said.
The applicant’s representative, Mike Neikirk, declined to add new analysis beyond the staff report but said the traffic study and development-engineering review supported the request.
The commission attached two staff conditions to the approval. The record shows a 6–1 vote, but roll-call votes were not read aloud for each member; the minutes record the tally. The applicant may proceed with the site-plan and permit process, and any changes to the parking plan will be subject to further county review.
Why it matters: The decision allows the retailer to serve a rural area where commissioners and community members said alternatives are distant, but it also highlights a planning debate about parking maximums, overparking and long-term growth patterns in Volusia County.
