Speaker numbers apply only to this recording. Names come from transcript evidence. “Possibly” marks uncertain attribution.
The Development Review Committee (DRC) of the City of Deltona held its regular meeting on Thursday, May 28, 2026, beginning at 9:00 AM and adjourning at 10:40 AM (14:00–15:40 UTC). The committee considered one consent item, one old business item, and four pre-application meetings. The minutes from May 14 were approved, and the Osprey Estates Phase 1 Final Plat was approved unanimously. Pre-application discussions covered proposals for a Dollar Tree relocation, annexation of Howland Village, expansion of Deltona Christian School, and conversion of a residence to a real estate office. Public comment was received on each of the pre-application items.
Public comments were heard for each pre-application meeting:
Dollar Tree: Larry French (2520 Arslan St) requested preservation of trees and wetlands and expressed concern that the retention pond could cause runoff into the wetlands. He suggested enlarging the existing store. Lori Warnicke (655 Lake Butler Dr) questioned the need for another dollar store given existing stores in the area and encouraged use of a vacant building.
Howland Village: Larry French opposed the annexation, stating that it could create a domino effect leading to additional development and raised concerns about water quality. Tim Blodgett (2702 Timberlake Dr) stated he does not want the population to increase and does not support additional Planned Unit Developments.
Deltona Christian School: John Brunoehler (Fish Hawk Dr) expressed concerns about access to and from Fish Hawk Drive. Commissioner Dori Howington stated that residents would be more receptive to a Commercial PUD designation. Jim McCully (Gage Ave) preferred a residential classification (RE-1). Matilda Morabito (Fish Hawk Dr) questioned the benefit of rezoning to commercial if the school is a nonprofit that would not generate property tax revenue.
Iron Valley Real Estate: Tim Blodgett (2702 Timberlake Dr) welcomed the business, stating the property would be a good location for the proposed use.
The item was presented as old business. The application, first submitted March 9, 2023, had been on hold pending revisions to the preliminary plat due to stormwater issues; the preliminary plat was approved in December 2025. After nine review cycles, staff recommended approval. Alternate James Parrish requested that the Development Order be updated to replace references to the "Dell North utility system" with the City of Deltona. Applicant Ed Kassik (LGI Homes) had no questions. The DRC approved the final plat with the conditions in the Development Order as modified.
Eddie McDonald (Thomas Engineering Group) presented a concept for a 10,000-square-foot Dollar Tree at the corner of DeBerry and Providence Boulevard, relocating from the Publix Plaza. The site is zoned C1 with an Enterprise Commercial Overlay. Key topics included wetland impacts, the 40-foot rear buffer adjacent to the East Central Regional Rail Trail, stormwater management, parking requirement (4.44 spaces per 1,000 sq ft as code, though applicant’s study indicated 32–34 spaces), and cross-access with the adjacent 7-Eleven property. Staff advised that a tree survey and gopher tortoise survey would be required, and wetland mitigation would incur a fee of $1 per square foot of impact. The DRC encouraged a parking study and coordination with Volusia County for any trail connection. The applicant will follow up after refining the design.
David Holden presented the annexation of approximately 32 acres from Volusia County into Deltona. The property is of rectangular shape, touching the city on three sides, and will be designated Low Density Residential (up to 6 units per acre) compared to the county’s Urban Low Intensity (4 units per acre). Zoning request is from R3 to R1B (5,000 sq ft lots). No wetlands exist on site. Utilities will be provided by Volusia County. Staff confirmed the annexation meets all state criteria. The DRC noted the need for environmental studies (tree survey, gopher tortoise survey) and coordination on drainage. Public commenters opposed the annexation, citing environmental and wildlife impacts. The annexation will proceed toward public hearings.
Applicants from Catalyst Design Group and the architect presented a multi-phase expansion of the school, requiring rezoning to a PUD. The concept includes a gym, sports fields, and potential new access from Howland Boulevard. Staff recommended a bubble plan to allow flexibility and discussed PUD options (Commercial or Mixed-Use). A community meeting will be required. The DRC emphasized verifying legal access on Fish Hawk Drive, coordinating with Volusia County for the Howland access, and including fire truck turning simulations. Public comments raised concerns about access and rezoning. The applicant expressed willingness to use a Commercial PUD and assured that the proposal is independent of adjacent development.
Monica Kapp, owner of Iron Valley Real Estate, proposed converting a single-family residence at 1929 Saxon Boulevard (zoned C2) into a real estate office, using the existing structure with interior modifications. Key requirements discussed included parking (with potential need for more than two spaces, including one ADA-accessible), driveway improvements to allow two-way traffic, stormwater management for added impervious areas, septic system evaluation by the health department, backflow prevention on the water line, and fire life safety (exit signs, extinguishers). Staff encouraged hiring a civil engineer. One public speaker supported the conversion.
Good morning. I'd like to call to order the development review committee for Thursday, May the 28th, 2026. And we will start with a roll call. I can't hear you. Can you hear me now? Better? Dino, you want to start? City engineer. Kyle Nolan, City of Del Tono Building Department. Chad Tate, Building Department. Jim Parrish, Public Works. Phyllis Wall. Phyllis Wallace Public Works. Matthew West Planning and Development Services. John Cox Economic Development. Sam Shaller, Fire Department. All right, so we do have a quorum of members of the DRC. Uh has the committee had a chance to review the minutes from the May 14th, 2026 DRC meeting. Yes. I'll motion to approve those minutes. May I get a second, please? Second. All in favor? I no opposed. We do not have okay. I've got to clearly talk closer. We do not have any presentations, awards, or reports. I do want to just kind of introduce for those that are new to DRC in attendance. Um want to welcome everybody here to the DRC meeting. Um go through the process today. We'll start by hearing from the applicant who will walk us through their proposed project. Let me back up. This would be specifically for pre-application meetings. After that, members of the DRC will have a chance to ask questions and share their initial feedback. Once we finish that discussion, we will open things up for public comments. Each uh person that wishes to speak will have two minutes to speak. Just a quick reminder, this is a pre-application meeting. Which means it is an it is in the early and informal steps in the development review process. The goal here is to simply give the applicant a chance to present their concept and get some early feedback from the city staff before submitting a formal application. At this stage, the discussion is conceptual. We are taking we are talking about general layout design ideas and feasibility, not final d details or approvals.