Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission advances community development districts for Ormond Crossings amid public concerns
Summary
On first reading, the commission approved two ordinances creating Community Development Districts (Central and East) for Ormond Crossings; planning staff and the petitioner said CDDs are financing tools under Chapter 190, Florida Statutes, while a public commenter urged independent fiscal and environmental studies and disclosure of subsidies.
The Ormond Beach City Commission on April 21 took the first reading for two ordinances that would create Community Development Districts (CDDs) for the Ormond Crossings project: Ordinance 2026-06 (Central CDD) and Ordinance 2026-07 (East CDD).
Planning Director Steven Spraker said the districts are financing tools under Chapter 190 of the Florida Statutes to build and maintain development-related infrastructure — roads, drainage, parks and landscaping — and that CDD debt is not an obligation of the city. Petitioner Jonathan Johnson said a prior CDD for the residential area had issued a first tranche of bonds (about $20 million) secured by assessments on the property and that construction activity is underway.
At public comment, Jennifer Bright urged the commission to pause further approvals, request independent fiscal and environmental impact analyses, require disclosure of proposed public subsidies (she referenced an $8 million overpass funded from CRA money toward a $12 million project) and to ensure CDD boards include local residents rather than out-of-town appointees.
Staff emphasized that the CDD petitions do not amend land-use or zoning and said the applications were consistent with Chapter 190 criteria. The commission moved and voted to approve the first readings; staff and the petitioner said the CDDs will provide a financing mechanism without creating city debt.
The petitions will return for subsequent steps required by local ordinance and state law; speakers who asked for additional study said they want clearer, independently verified fiscal and environmental information before final approvals.
