Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in DeLand public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
26 issues in development
Rear storefront alteration at 116 W. New York Avenue
The owner of a 1925 brick building in the Downtown Historic District wants to add a glass egress door and roll-up security doors on sides not visible from Georgia Avenue. It's a test of how the board balances historic character with practical security and safety needs.
Stetson Baptist Church storage outbuilding
A storage building for dry goods that has been in review for over six months, with the applicant frustrated by what he called redundant comments. The committee required driveway apron paving, landscaping details, tree coverage counts, and a note that any future mechanical equipment be screened — partly out of concern that church outbuildings can creep into other uses.
The Vue at Blue Lake townhome development
A 35-unit townhome community on 6.1 acres near Blue Lake with a single entrance, walking paths, and a secondary emergency access route the county wants left unpaved at the property line. It still needs Planning Board and two City Commission public hearings before approval.
Community development trends report
The quarterly financial report showed revenue and spending compared to last year, with growth slower than hoped. Developers are waiting before committing, which could affect future city revenues.
Oak Terrace Community Development District
A first reading was scheduled on an ordinance creating the Oak Terrace Community Development District, a special taxing mechanism often used to finance infrastructure for new developments.
Orange Camp Commercial South development
The city annexed about 25 acres near the I-4 interchange and set about 22 acres of it to Highway Commercial land use and C-2 General Commercial zoning. It's a gateway to the city, so expect highway-style commercial development and the traffic that comes with it.
The Vue at Blue Lake townhomes
A 35-unit townhome development is proposed on 6.1 acres at 263 North Blue Lake Avenue, adding housing options in the city.
Country Club Pointe redevelopment plat
A preliminary plat covering about 2.64 acres on South Woodland Boulevard was before the board — an early but meaningful step in redeveloping the Country Club Pointe area, shaping future lots, streets, and drainage.
Summit Place cottage homes as first-time-buyer option
The developer of Summit Place can now choose to build 90 detached cottage homes instead of 114 townhomes in phase two. Applicant data says 85% of buyers for this product are first-time buyers, with average pricing around $226,000 — a rare entry-level ownership option in DeLand.
RC Hills dealership expansion and façade improvements
Residents on the last undeveloped stretch of Woodland Boulevard fought the dealership's 16,500-square-foot expansion, citing an 8-foot elevation drop toward their homes, a dirt road that already floods, noise at 4 a.m., light pollution, and well-water contamination risk. The board attached conditions but the underlying fear — that the exfiltration trench will clog and send water downhill — goes to the City Commission.
Development and Connection Fee Amendments
Ordinance 2026-22 would update development and connection fees in Chapter 30 of the code. New construction costs and who pays for growth-driven infrastructure could shift as a result.
Shared parking capacity near downtown
The site's shared lot holds about 24 spaces, including handicapped spaces, and neighbors say parking is already tight. Any new construction that adds demand could spill over onto surrounding businesses.
Future Use of the Old Jail Property
The city owns the old jail downtown and is weighing what to do with it — sell it, redevelop it, or turn it into public open space. Commissioners want staff to dig into two options: selling as-is, or a civic/open space use that could host food trucks and downtown events.
ROW Abandonment Enables Tiny Home Community
Abandoning 0.09 acres of old right-of-way grows the Neighborhood Center's parcel to half an acre — enough for ten tiny homes, the city's first such community. An easement protects the utilities underneath.
Mac McBride mural relocation to public building
The Mac McBride mural has been through years of disputes — a code enforcement issue at its old private location, committee denials over the 'Back-the-Blue' flag, and a reversed owner decision. The city now wants to honor the late officer with a reimagined mural on the public Fish Building downtown. The new design includes the American flag and was painted as a draft by local artist Paulo Jimenez.
Demolition of 1945 Stetson University building at 635 Bert Fish Drive
Two pre-1950 buildings got demolition approval: a 1949 house on Clake Street and a 1945 Stetson University building on Bert Fish Drive. The city discourages demo without redevelopment plans, but approved both anyway.
Elliano's Coffee Shop drive-through site plan
A new drive-thru coffee shop is planned for the corner of South Woodland and Cliff Street, but the lot can't fit the required 30-foot landscaping buffers. The variance would let the buffers shrink to 14 and 19 feet, changing how much green screening neighbors and drivers see at a busy Gateway Corridor corner.
Demolition of pre-1950 residence at 338 Clake Street
A pre-1950 house on Clake Street faces demolition at the request of its owner's contractor. The board's review determines whether the structure meets the city's bar for demolition of older buildings.
Stetson University softball covered hitting facility
Stetson University proposed a 4,320-square-foot pole-barn structure over batting cages on its campus at 430 E Arizona Ave. It supports the university's athletic programs without major neighborhood impact.
Beresford Reserve 408-home subdivision plat
DR Horton's massive 408-lot subdivision keeps getting pushed back over brownfield cleanup plans and historic tree questions. When it eventually moves forward, it would add hundreds of homes on 138 acres near Beresford Avenue.
Minor subdivisions on Armstrong Ave and Parsons Ave
A proposed two-parcel split at 536 W Armstrong Ave hit a snag: the sewer manhole may be too shallow and the water line only ¾-inch, raising questions about whether new homes can connect without costly upgrades.
North Hill Villas townhome development
The city finalized the land use and zoning changes for 13 townhomes on 1.49 acres near East Rich Avenue and North Hill Avenue — land that was single-family. It's a modest bump in housing density on the east side.
Ace Hardware planned development
First-round approval to rezone 1.47 acres near South Amelia Avenue and East Howry Avenue for an Ace Hardware planned development — a new retail option taking shape.
Redevelopment of shopping center at 2219 S Woodland Blvd
A Class II site plan for reworking the existing County Club Point shopping center on South Woodland Boulevard. It's one of DeLand's main commercial corridors, so changes here affect nearby Country Club area neighborhoods.
Medical office building special exception at 840 W Plymouth Ave
An 18,000-square-foot medical office building is proposed at 840 W Plymouth Ave, needing a special exception to move forward. Medical offices bring jobs and health services, but also traffic on Plymouth Avenue.
Five townhomes proposed at N High St & W New York Ave
A 0.52-acre site near downtown could get five townhomes. It's a small infill project, but new housing near the core of DeLand always draws neighborhood interest.