Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Residents applaud withdrawal of proposed five‑story parking garage, warn city to tighten notice and zoning rules
Summary
After the applicant withdrew two agenda items tied to a controversial five‑story parking garage, dozens of residents urged the New Smyrna Beach City Commission to reject a related change to the commercial FAR definition and to improve public notice. Organizers said they have collected more than 750 signatures opposing the project.
The New Smyrna Beach City Commission on Aug. 13 heard an extended public‑comment period after staff announced that the applicant had withdrawn two agenda items tied to a proposed five‑story parking garage and a related commercial FAR text amendment. City Manager (spoke as city manager) told the commission the withdrawal means the applicant can refile within 60 days without restarting the entire process; otherwise the application must begin again, including payment of fees and Planning & Zoning review.
Why it mattered: The withdrawal did not end the debate. Residents turned out in force to say the proposal — which organizers said would have produced a 5‑story, roughly 60‑foot high structure on the beachside — would be out of scale with the neighborhood, worsen traffic congestion near South Atlantic and 3rd/4th avenues, and risk public‑safety problems in parking garages.
"We are still collecting signatures ... as of right now, we have collected over 750 signatures," said Sharon Glenn, who identified herself as representing owners on South Atlantic Avenue. "We are grateful these items have been removed from the agenda, and we will be watching if it comes back."
Other speakers gave examples and local data to press their case. Cindy Snesak, who said the amendment would apply citywide, urged commissioners to avoid importing definitions used in much larger metro areas. "If we want to mimic a smaller city with a beachside atmosphere, Winter Park is a better model than Orlando or Daytona," Snesak said.
Several residents raised safety and traffic concerns specific to the 3rd and 4th Avenue corridor, noting crash counts and limited sight lines at certain intersections. "If this does go in, you're going to have cars backed up all the way down South Atlantic Avenue, blocking the hotels from having their patrons leave," Audra Ricker said.
What the commission said: Commissioners emphasized that quasijudicial hearing rules bar them from expressing a position before an actual application hearing; the mayor and legal staff reminded speakers that any commissioner expressing a fixed position before a hearing risks disqualification from voting. City staff and commissioners said they heard the message and encouraged commenters to bring additional, new evidence or constructive alternatives if the applicant re‑files.
Next steps: The items were withdrawn from the Aug. 13 agenda. If the applicant re‑submits within 60 days the matter returns to the same sequence (Planning & Zoning then commission); if refiled after 60 days the applicant must restart the process.
