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Volusia County Council approves park expansion, funding requests and several contracts; overturns a variance denial
Summary
At its May 19 meeting the Volusia County Council approved a Highbridge Park expansion, accepted a funding package to leverage $13.5 million in state alcohol/drug/mental health funds (staff recommendation to fund at 98.5% of requests), approved a Jones Edmonds contract amendment and an Oak Hill water MOU, and unanimously reversed a PLDRC variance denial for a Halifax River property.
The Volusia County Council approved multiple funding and contract items May 19 and reversed a planning‑commission decision in a separate quasi‑judicial appeal.
Park expansion and funding
The council unanimously approved a park impact‑fee funded expansion of Highbridge Park. Council members described the project as an appropriate, community‑backed use of park impact dollars and the chair announced the vote as passed 7–0.
Alcohol, drug and mental health funding
The council approved staff’s recommendation on how to allocate a funding package designed to leverage $13.5 million in state alcohol, drug and mental‑health grants. County staff clarified that option B — funding organizations at 98.5% of their requests to stay within budgeted amounts — was the recommendation the council approved unanimously.
Engineering contract and MOU
The council approved a contract amendment with Jones Edmunds for engineering services for the Gemini Springs sewer master plan and phase‑one design, and approved a memorandum of understanding with the City of Oak Hill on potable‑water matters; both measures passed by unanimous votes.
Quasi‑judicial appeal: John Anderson Drive variance
In a quasi‑judicial matter the council reversed a Planning & Land Development Regulation Commission decision and granted an applicant’s appeal to allow a combined‑lot building addition that would raise lot coverage to about 46 percent. County staff explained that lot‑coverage rules (roofed building area) differ from the impervious‑surface ratio used for stormwater regulation; staff said the project’s impervious‑surface ratio remains within county stormwater limits. The council voted to grant the appeal 7–0 after receiving a presentation from the applicant and staff.
Other procedural matters
The council declined a PLDRC request to relax the automatic‑vacancy rule for absenteeism and instructed staff to alert council liaisons before any seat becomes at risk of automatic vacation. Several items will return for implementation steps, design work or permit review as required.
What happens next: Staff will proceed with contracts, permitting and project timelines; the variance reversal allows the applicant to move forward with revised building plans subject to permitting and drainage review.
