Deltona approves zoning‑in‑progress to study activity‑center overlay aimed at walkable mixed‑use environment
Summary
The commission approved a zoning‑in‑progress to study and amend the activity center overlay to encourage a walkable mix of retail, dining, lodging and housing; the motion passed 6‑1 and staff said a consultant and public workshops will be used to shape eventual comp plan amendments.
The Deltona City Commission voted 6‑1 to approve Resolution No. 2020-549, a zoning‑in‑progress to study and amend the activity center overlay with the stated goal of creating a walkable, mixed‑use environment featuring retail, dining, lodging and housing options.
Vice Mayor Herriot made the motion and Commissioner Santiago seconded it. Commissioners discussed whether the overlay should be used to curb warehouse and industrial development and to require a stronger mix of commercial uses rather than permitting large areas of single‑purpose industrial or apartment development.
Planning staff said the existing overlay allows multiple uses today but does not require a mix of uses or incentives to create walkable, street‑oriented development. Commissioners and members of the public described the desired model as “live‑work‑play” with ground‑floor commercial and pedestrian amenities; examples cited included Colonial Town Park and other small‑city downtowns. The commission and staff agreed to hire or use a planning consultant to prepare a downtown master‑plan study, and staff said the comp plan amendments would return to the commission for public hearings.
Speakers raised infrastructure and timing concerns: commissioners and commenters noted the need for roadway improvements such as the Rhode Island extension and Howland Boulevard upgrades to support additional commercial and mixed‑use development. A landowner attorney and other speakers asked about the overlay’s interaction with pending applications. Staff said applications that are already complete will be processed under current regulations; Synergy at Normandy was mentioned as a pending application scheduled for upcoming hearings.
Opposition to the motion was limited: one commissioner voted against the zoning‑in‑progress citing concern about adding entitlement levels or increasing residential density without clearer infrastructure and traffic solutions. The motion passed 6‑1. Staff will return with consultant recommendations, possible comparable‑community site visits and comp plan amendment drafts for public workshops and hearings.
