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Neighbors warn Spruce Creek conservation subdivision would 'destroy thousands of old growth oaks'
Summary
Residents and homeowners associations told the council a proposed 125‑acre 'Creek Crossing' subdivision with a 2,000‑foot bridge would harm wetlands, increase flood risk and place long-term maintenance costs on homeowners or the county; speakers said staff is poised to approve waivers before critical studies are complete.
Multiple speakers from the Spruce Creek area urged the Volusia County Council to slow or oppose a proposed Creek Crossing conservation subdivision that would put 111 single-family lots, a bridge crossing over Spruce Creek, and related infrastructure near sensitive wetlands.
Jan Albert, who identified himself as a Port Orange appraiser and hydrologist of 54 years, told the council the planned 2,000‑foot bridge would require removal of thousands of old-growth trees and worsen flooding: "You're going to have to take down thousands of old growth trees right at the main wetlands and meander point. And there you're going to have a flooding issue that you can't keep on that site of about a couple hundred million gallons every 4‑in rain." He warned the council the legal and infrastructure costs would fall on residents and the county.
Mike Ponittowski and Gary Singleton (and others) described the project as a conservation‑subdivision concept that would require numerous waivers — buildable-lot waivers, public-street right‑of‑way waivers, tree waivers and wetland impact waivers — and said staff appears poised to approve the plan before a half‑million‑dollar Spruce Creek study is completed. Paul and Susie Holmes (Spruce Creek Property Owners Association) asked for detailed bridge plans, maintenance responsibility and design disclosure before any technical-review vote.
Why it matters: Speakers said the site sits at a main meander and stormwater corridor for southeast Volusia County and that wetlands and mature tree canopy provide critical stormwater conveyance; they warned replacement retention ponds will not replicate the natural functions of the existing system and that the bridge and traffic could create safety and maintenance liabilities.
What comes next: The DRC will consider the application; several speakers said the matter will be appealed and litigated if staff grants waivers that alter comprehensive‑plan expectations. The council did not vote on the development at the April 7 meeting but heard repeated calls for the application to be denied or delayed until the Spruce Creek study is complete.
Ending: Public opposition framed the application as a risk to wetlands, old‑growth trees and downstream infrastructure; speakers told the council they are prepared to litigate if waivers are granted without stronger protections or a full study.
