Residents press commission on annexation, rezoning and stormwater for 390 Sugar Mill Drive

The commission set second readings and public hearings for Dec. 9 on a group of companion applications that would annex roughly 7.6 acres at 390 Sugar Mill Drive, change the site's future land use to city commercial and rezone it to a city Plan Unit Development to allow the proposed Sugar Mill boat and RV storage plan.

Assistant City Attorney read Ordinances 80-25, 81-25 and 82-25 by title. Multiple residents who spoke during public participation urged caution. Claudia Vanderhorst told the commission a change from Volusia County urban medium intensity to 100% commercial would be "preferential treatment" that risks legal challenges and would not serve the surrounding 2,500 homes. She raised traffic and safety concerns tied to adjacent, soon-to-open 300-apartment complexes and said spot zoning has led to lawsuits elsewhere.

Several Coastal Woods residents described drainage and road-safety issues on Sugar Mill Drive. John Caplan said stormwater related to the proposal "will not 100% remain on the property" and that conveyance into the Sugar Mill ditches conflicts with current city requirements. Janet Kaplan and Cindy Snezak described blind curves, poor nighttime visibility and turning difficulties for large RVs and boat trailers, saying the project could be a tipping point for accidents. Staff scheduled the companion items (annexation, comp-plan amendment and rezoning) for a Dec. 9 public hearing and second reading, when the applicant will be expected to address traffic and stormwater mitigation measures.