Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in DeLand public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
50 issues with medium priority
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.
General election results declared and Organizational Meeting set
Mayor Chris Cloudman, Commissioner Jessica Davis and Commissioner Kevin Reid were all elected without opposition in August, so no runoff was needed. They'll be sworn in for new four-year terms at the Organizational Meeting on November 17, 2026.
New firefighters and police officer sworn into city service
DeLand's fire and police departments are adding staff — three new firefighters and one new police officer were introduced. More personnel helps response times and coverage as the city grows.
Fire prevention fee schedule revision
The Commission took up a resolution revising the fire prevention fee schedule — the charges the city collects for fire inspections and prevention services. Changes here can affect what businesses and property owners pay.
Proposed Wawa convenience store with gas pumps at ISB and Spring Garden
A special exception for a Wawa convenience store with gas pumps at ISB and Spring Garden, which would join two other Wawas in the area — locals joked about a 'triangle of Wawas.' It moves to Planning Board once comments are addressed.
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.
Repeal of the Downtown Fair Share Agreement
A first reading was scheduled to repeal the Downtown Fair Share Agreement, which historically governed how downtown development contributed to infrastructure costs. Repeal could change obligations for downtown projects.
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.
DeLand Municipal Airport south-central apron rehabilitation
The Municipal Airport Fund covers operations and improvements at DeLand's airport. Its budget review sets priorities for aviation facilities and services.
Economic development contract renewals
Renewals of the Team Volusia economic development contract and the Chamber of Commerce economic retention agreement were scheduled, continuing the city's business recruitment and retention efforts.
Volusia Sheriff's Office Headquarters utility agreements
Utility service and fair share agreements were scheduled for approval to support the new Sheriff's Office Headquarters commercial project.
Stormwater drainage design questions
Engineering staff had flagged multiple drainage report issues, including curve numbers and retention of the 100-year storm. The applicant agreed to submit live transmittal reports addressing pre- versus post-development runoff, which staff will review with the resubmittal.
Centennial Square Gate Design
The CRA is continuing a project to spruce up the entry to Centennial Square Park with a decorative iron gate, new lighting, and a mural, separating the improved space from the service alley behind it. Safety and lighting of the full alley remain a board concern.
MainStreet DeLand Update and District Expansion
MainStreet DeLand is launching a downtown business academy, conducting property owner assessments, and working to expand the MainStreet district beyond its historic core — which could bring more of the surrounding area into downtown programs.
Right-of-Way Permitting Process
Ordinance 2026-19 would create a formal permitting process for construction in the public right-of-way, with a new fee schedule. It affects contractors, utilities and anyone digging in city streets.
Historic Tree Removals
Two resolutions were scheduled on removing historic trees — one at Stetson University's Nemec Hall parking lot and one at 445 North Hill Avenue — each requiring a replacement Live Oak.
Mobile Home Park Rent Increase
Residents of the city-owned DeLand Municipal Mobile Home Park were facing a proposed $30 per month lot rent increase starting January 2027.
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.
Jacobs Corner mixed-use planned development
A 4.63-acre mixed-use planned development on East Plymouth Avenue, continued to this meeting at the applicant's request.
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.
Taylor Ridge corner-lot standards cleanup
A technical fix so one lot in the Taylor Ridge subdivision isn't doomed by a drafting oversight: corner lots on curves will now follow standard minimum widths, and Lot 31 can be built as planned. Minor, but it shows how PD language quirks can derail home construction.
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.
2026 Tax Abatement for Total Renal Laboratories, Inc.
The city was asked to grant a 100% property tax abatement for tax year 2026 to Total Renal Laboratories, Inc. — an incentive aimed at supporting local business investment.
Pedestrian safety at Orange Camp frontage road crossing
Reviewers flagged a long, unsafe pedestrian crossing at the frontage road intersection and pushed for a concrete traffic separator and possibly a refuge island to make it safer.
Invasive Cogon Grass Near Victoria Park
A resident reported illegal, highly invasive cogon grass planted at a development bordering Victoria Park spreading across acres, through sidewalks, and into conservation areas — she asked the city to intervene.
Building Permit Fee Overhaul
A new state law forces cities to charge permit fees that match the actual cost of running the building department — DeLand rebuilt its fee schedule accordingly.
Tennis Center/Pickleball Expansion on Hold
All seven construction bids came in at $5.5 million or more against a $3.5 million estimate, so the Commission rejected them and sent the project back for a cheaper redesign. Shuffleboard players who share the site are asking that their courts survive any new plan.
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.
Rabies Response Gaps on Ambrose Street
A resident described a possibly rabid raccoon that no agency would respond to for hours, with wild animal calls bounced between police, animal control, and state wildlife. Commissioners agreed to review who is responsible.
Public Works funding
The Public Works Fund supports roads, facilities maintenance, and other core city services. Its budget review shapes the day-to-day services residents rely on.
Spring Hill CRA funding priorities
The Spring Hill Community Redevelopment Area Fund directs reinvestment dollars into the Spring Hill neighborhood. Budget discussions set priorities for projects in that community.
Parks and Recreation budget
Parks and Recreation funding covers city parks, facilities, and recreation programs. Budget discussions here affect how well those spaces are maintained and what programs are offered.
Rezoning at 1500 S. Adelle Avenue (Ordinance 2026-17)
Willie Robinson is asking the city to rezone about two acres on South Adelle Avenue from a townhome planned development to general multifamily zoning, a key step for the proposed Plexes at Adelle project.
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.
Tree mitigation fee burden on airport-area development
Kingspan faces about $70,000 in tree mitigation fees for clearing mostly small pines at its airport-area expansion. The committee explored tree banking, conservation easements, FAA clearance zones, and lower pine thresholds like Ormond Beach's, but found no current mechanism — the fee stands, though staff will raise the concern with the city manager.
Old Daytona Road bridge replacement design
The Commission approved spending up to $258,133 to design the replacement of the Old Daytona Road bridge — a first step toward fixing an aging crossing.
Solid waste rate increase
Your solid waste and recycling bill goes up 3% starting October 1 under the GFL contract's CPI adjustment clause. That's below the cap, but it's still a bump on a basic city service.
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.
Bay Street drainage improvements
A $211,256.85 contract with DDS Enterprises will tackle flooding and drainage on Bay Street, phases 1 and 2.
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.
Fire-damaged roof and debris at 126 S Garfield Ave
The Barron trusts' Garfield Avenue property is cited for accumulated debris and a fire-damaged roof in poor repair. The magistrate was set to enter findings and orders on both counts.
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.
CDBG project request for FY 2026-2027
The city moved forward a Community Development Block Grant request for 2026-27, directing federal grant funds toward targeted areas of DeLand through Volusia County.
Halifax Health/UF Health Deltona expansion
Hospital leadership presented plans to expand the Halifax Health/UF Health Medical Center of Deltona, a regional healthcare investment relevant to DeLand residents who use the facility.
School Resource Officer contract
The city considered an amended contract for school resource officers, which affects police presence in local schools and school safety staffing.
Quarterly financial report through March 31, 2026
The finance department reported on the city's mid-year finances, with expenditures around 67 percent and property tax collections at 93 percent.
Land Development Regulations workshop
The board was set to dig into the city's LDRs — the rulebook for what can be built where in DeLand. Changes here eventually shape everything from fence rules to subdivision standards.
Vehicle sales and rentals at 109 Kensington Road
A special exception would let Swann Real Estate operate vehicle sales and rentals on roughly six-tenths of an acre on Kensington Road. Neighbors may weigh in on traffic and the character of the corridor.