Deltona City Commission Regular Meeting – May 19, 2025

The Deltona City Commission held its regular meeting on Monday, May 19, 2025, at 6:30 PM in the Deltona Commission Chambers. The meeting included presentations, proclamations, public hearings on several ordinances, action items, and commission discussion. Key decisions included approval of a rental property ordinance, a noise ordinance amendment, and a parks and facilities ordinance, while a rezoning request for 36.46 acres failed on a 4-3 vote.

Consent Calendar

• Approved 6-1 (Mayor Avila opposed): Minutes of the May 5, 2025 meeting and recognition proclamations for June (including LGBTQ+ Pride Month).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Kathy Bryan spoke on multiple items: she urged the developer to use native plantings in the rezoning project, expressed support for the noise ordinance (asking about fireworks), and commented on workshop scheduling.
• Dana McCool supported the noise ordinance amendment, thanking the commission for responding to resident complaints, and also spoke on rental regulations.
• Jean Armstrong (broker/owner, Century 21 Armstrong Team; president-elect of West Volusia Association of Realtors) opposed expanding rental regulations to long-term rentals, citing costs to property owners.
• David Sosa commented on workshop scheduling, urging consistency and time management.
• Courtney Cross-Burgos supported the noise ordinance but suggested fines for first offenses might be too high.
• Adrian Crutchfield supported the noise ordinance, hoping it would cover events at City Hall that cause excessive noise.
• Matthew Borgens urged more regular workshops to address pending items like the Travel Policy.
• A resident on North Furwood Drive expressed concerns about privacy and traffic from the proposed development.

Discussion Items

• Ordinance 12-2024 – Rezoning of 36.46 acres (North Normandy Boulevard): Quasi-judicial hearing. Staff noted three revisions to the Development Agreement (160-foot setback, enhanced design, truck routing). Applicant Scott Banta agreed to add a barricade on Ruth Avenue and pay for signage restricting truck traffic. Commissioner Howington requested inclusion of native plants. The traffic study was still under review. Motion to approve failed 3-4.
• Ordinance 09-2025 – Rental Property Regulations (Second Reading): Updated to include vacation rentals and long-term rental inspections. Staff amended to reduce vacation rental inspection interval from 5 to 3 years. Fee for both inspection types raised from $50 to $75. Approved 7-0.
• Ordinance 25-2025 – Noise Ordinance & General Penalty (First Reading): Eliminated need for sworn affidavits and created an administrative fine schedule (up to $15,000). Approved 7-0. Public speakers asked about fireworks; City Attorney said existing noise decibel provisions may cover them.
• Ordinance 26-2025 – Parks & Facilities Rules (First Reading): Banned smoking (except unfiltered cigars per state law) and regulated metal detecting with permits. Penalties: $150 fine and possible park suspension. Approved 6-1 (Commissioner Avila-Vazquez opposed, questioning why cigars exempted).
• Resolution 2025-58 – Settlement Agreement (Maverick Bench Media): Walk-away settlement; city continues receiving revenues until new vendor selected. Approved 7-0.
• Item 9B – Best Foot Forward Pedestrian Safety Program: Motion to deny participation passed 4-3, with opponents citing lack of data, budget concerns, and existing programs (VSO, TPO).
• Item 9C – Renovations over $50,000: Motion to require commission approval for such renovations failed 3-4. Discussion included transparency and ability to get detailed project information.
• Item 9D – Travel Policy & Commission Operating Guidelines: Discussion on scheduling workshops. Commission gave direction: majority preferred Monday workshops (not Saturdays) and opposed adding items to end of regular meetings; quorum of 4 acceptable.
• Add-on: County Councilman David Santiago Update: Reported on road projects (Howland Blvd repairs, I-4 interchange study, Deltona High School safety improvements, Rhode Island extension, Saxon Blvd, Doyle Road flooding), ECHO funds, Transform386, and Osteen JPA (tabled). Announced a veterans road designation program.

Key Outcomes

• Failed: Rezoning of 36.46 acres to MPUD (Ordinance 12-2024) – 3-4.
• Approved 7-0: Rental property regulations (Ordinance 09-2025), noise ordinance amendment (Ordinance 25-2025), settlement agreement (Resolution 2025-58).
• Approved 6-1: Parks & facilities rules (Ordinance 26-2025).
• Denied 4-3: Participation in Best Foot Forward pedestrian program (Item 9B).
• Failed 3-4: Requiring commission approval for renovations over $50,000 (Item 9C).
• Consensus: Commission directed staff to schedule workshops on Mondays, with quorum of 4, not at end of regular meetings. Specific workshop dates to be determined.
• Unanimous: Motion to place on next agenda a 100-year lease at $1/year for American Legion Post 255 to own their building (not the Veterans Museum).
• Directives: Staff to bring back detailed renovation information, update on code enforcement, and presentation on City Hall improvements. City Attorney to schedule executive session on Stone Island litigation.