Port Orange planning commission approves special-exception for retail nursery on Fern Park Drive

The Port Orange Planning Commission approved a special-exception request (case C-26-00001) to allow a retail and wholesale nursery and garden supply facility on the west half of a 9.37-acre property on the south side of Fern Park Drive east of Taylor Road.

Susette Cameron of Planning & Community Development presented the staff report and recommended approval, telling commissioners the proposed use meets the special-exception criteria in the land development code. Cameron said the proposal includes a fenced outdoor area for plants and mulch and a 400-square-foot office building, with access via a planned shared drive through the adjacent Allboard Storage development to a signalized intersection on Taylor Road.

Applicants Dan and Sandy Bortis said they currently operate a retail/wholesale business, Prices Dirt and Mulch, across the street and plan to relocate and expand to the subject property. The applicants said they intend to demolish the existing dilapidated house on the lot and build a new home on the east side of the parcel while operating the nursery on the west half.

A commissioner raised whether the house to be removed was a historic structure; the applicants responded that while the house is old it is dilapidated and not being preserved. No preservation request was filed during the meeting.

There were no public comments. The commission moved to approve the application; a roll-call vote recorded six yes votes and no opposition, and the motion passed 6-0.

The approval authorizes the special-exception use under the city's land development code; the staff report and the applicants' plan as presented will guide implementation. The commission had no added conditions or continuances recorded during the meeting. The applicants may proceed according to applicable permitting processes and inspections required by city regulations.