Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in DeLand public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
26 issues with high priority
West Voorhis Avenue Streetscape Project
The CRA had to decide how much of the West Voorhis streetscape redesign to build with its $1.5 million in reserves. The project would narrow the road, slow traffic, and add wider sidewalks and bike accommodations. Picking the full Alternative 1 means borrowing about $220,000.
Commercial land use and rezone near West Volusia and South Spring Garden
The 1925 Ida Erhart Apartments, a six-unit building one block from Stetson, got the green light to become a boutique hotel — legally, the only zoning that matches the comprehensive plan. Neighbors fear it 'cracks' a residential block inside a National Register district and sets the stage for offices replacing historic homes. Several speakers also asked the city to consider a transitional mixed-use zoning district for edges like this.
Water and Sewer Fund; Water and Wastewater Trust Fund
The commission was scheduled to review the water and sewer fund budget and the water and wastewater trust fund, which affect utility rates.
Wiley M. Nash plant floodproofing and Lift Station #1 relocation
The city itself proposes a new wastewater lift station at 222 West Carolina Avenue to relieve downtown sewer capacity, a public infrastructure investment.
Historic tree mitigation on the Orange Camp site
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.
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.
Property maintenance and nuisance violations
A large share of the docket involves everyday upkeep violations — cars parked on grass, overgrown lots, junk and debris, and unpermitted structures. Fines and liens can accrue on properties that stay out of compliance.
Habitability — residence without electricity
A case at 618 Larry Dr alleged people living in a home without electricity — a health-and-safety issue, not just a paperwork one.
Unpermitted construction work
A dozen-plus cases involve electrical, plumbing, renovation, garage-enclosure and mechanical work done without required permits — often by property owners or investors. The magistrate was set to issue findings and orders on each.
Downtown CRA funding priorities
The Downtown Community Redevelopment Agency Fund covers reinvestment in DeLand's historic downtown core. Its budget discussion shapes how much money flows to downtown improvements next year.
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.
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.
Water, Sewer and Reclaimed Water Rate Amendments
Ordinance 2026-21 would amend the city's water, sewer/wastewater and reclaimed water rates. Utility bills and the cost of doing business in DeLand could change if it passes.
Stormwater Engineering Consultant Selection
The city is hiring a stormwater engineering consultant and Commissioner Dan Reed will sit on the selection committee, with interviews expected the week of August 24.
Stormwater Mitigation and Flooding Regional Collaboration
DeLand has received over $2 million in Transform 386 grant funding for drainage studies and stormwater projects like Glen Eagle acquisition, Saddlebrook, and the Orange Camp watershed. A new countywide interactive map on volusia.org lets residents look up flood projects near their address.
DeLand Little League Field Shortage
The league has grown to 682 kids — nearly triple what its fields can handle — and asked the commission to keep new fields a top priority, noting visiting tournaments bring out-of-town spending to DeLand.
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.
Variance request for downtown infill redevelopment
Two 1952-platted vacant lots near E New York and S Amelia can't meet modern zoning standards, so the owner is asking for sweeping variances to build. It's a test of how DeLand handles historic, undersized lots in the downtown commercial district.
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.
Lien reductions on delinquent code cases
A resident asked the Commission to reduce a code enforcement lien on her property, describing ongoing enforcement issues. The request was heard but not acted on at the meeting.
PFAS 'Forever Chemicals' in DeLand Drinking Water
Six of the city's eleven water plants exceed proposed federal PFAS limits, and fixing it will cost about $60 million. The Commission took the first step toward a low-interest state revolving fund loan, with debt service of roughly $3.6 million a year that will eventually flow through water rates.
Sidewalk Obstruction and Homeless Encampments on East Fourth Avenue
A short-term rental operator said people block the sidewalk daily, forcing pedestrians — including the elderly and disabled — into the street, and asked for stronger enforcement tools, trash cleanup, and social service outreach.
DeLand Atrium rezoning at 600 N. Woodland Blvd
A plan to rezone the former Museum of Art site from Educational zoning to a Planned Development. The building would keep its arts uses — including Stetson University's theater — while gaining flexibility for other compatible uses if tenants leave. Neighbors to the west are single-family homes, so what happens on this corner matters to them.
Swimming pool without safety barrier at 320 E Plymouth Ave
An unfenced pool is a safety issue, especially for small children, and was docketed alongside an overgrown-lot citation for the same property.
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.
Rezone of 23 acres near ISB and Spring Garden Avenue
Nearly 23.33 acres at the busy corner of International Speedway Blvd. and North Spring Garden Ave. would shift from single-family zoning to Business Retail. What gets built here affects traffic, nearby neighborhoods and the commercial character of a major gateway corridor.