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Commission advances Tomoka Commerce Park first reading amid neighborhood questions on wetlands and buffers
Summary
The commission approved the first reading of a development order for the 12.48-acre Tomoka Commerce Park on North U.S. Highway 1, authorizing mixed commercial and light industrial uses while staff and the applicant said the project preserves a wetland buffer and retains 20% tree preservation; public speakers generally supported the project.
The Ormond Beach City Commission voted to advance the Tomoka Commerce Park planned business development in a first reading after staff outlined project details and members of the public and the applicant spoke in support.
Planning Director Steven Spreaker described the project as a 12.48-acre development with 11 buildings totaling just over 110,000 square feet. He told the commission the site preserves 20% natural tree cover, includes a 36-foot greenbelt buffer along U.S. Highway 1 and that wetlands impacts had been reviewed by the St. Johns River Water Management District: wetland B is 0.44 acres and wetland C is 0.27 acres. Spreaker said the planning board recommended approval, conditional on resolving outstanding comments, and that the development order would return for a second reading on Feb. 3, 2026.
The project’s representative, Parker Minchinburg, said the design includes commercial uses up front and warehousing or light industrial uses in the rear, with landscaping and screening toward the railroad. He said the project had received stormwater approvals and a DOT driveway permit was ready once local approval was granted.
Two speakers from the public, Patrick Opelouski and Jim Cameron, both voiced support. Opelouski said the project “is the kind of development we’d want in Ormond Beach” and that small businesses could grow there instead of leaving the city. Cameron, who described the engineering firm’s stormwater work as solid, said he did not expect flooding problems.
Commissioners raised typical concerns about flooding, loss of green space and potential uses; several emphasized the project’s buffers and site design. Commissioner Sargent said he had received few emails or phone calls opposing the project and noted the planning board and neighborhood meetings had reviewed the application. The commission voted yes on the first reading; the applicant will return for a second reading and final action on Feb. 3.
If adopted on second reading, the development order would allow the site’s specified commercial and limited industrial uses with the deviations and conditions included in the development order packet.
