Deltona City Commission and P&Z Joint Comprehensive Plan Workshop – October 19, 2026

The City of Deltona City Commission held a joint workshop with the Planning & Zoning Board on Monday, October 19, 2026, beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the Deltona Commission Chambers. Workshop 8 continued the review of the Comprehensive Plan Update, focusing on the proposed Goals, Objectives, and Policies for the Future Land Use, Transportation, Housing, and Property Rights Elements. Although the agenda scheduled the joint meeting until 8:30 p.m., the meeting adjourned at 7:26 p.m. No formal action was taken.

Discussion Items

• Workshop recap and design context: The consultants summarized feedback since Workshop 7 and described visits to mixed-use areas in Orlando, Lakeland, Altamonte Springs, DeLand, and Sanford. They emphasized that mixed-use development works when building height, scale, streetscape, landscaping, and active first-floor uses are designed together, and warned against monolithic buildings without context.
• Live Local Act height analysis: Maps showed properties that could qualify under the Live Local Act, using one-mile buffers around mixed-use districts. Only specific properties within those buffers are affected, not the entire buffer. The proposed uptown district near Exit 114 would allow 75 feet plus a 50-foot bonus, or a potential maximum of 125 feet. One commissioner expressed concern that this effectively permits up to 12 stories and that residents did not ask for tall buildings. Another commissioner supported the 75-plus-50 approach, noting the area near the existing seven-story hospital could attract a hotel or children's hospital. Consultants said they could reduce the height proposal if directed.
• Feet versus stories: Commissioners discussed whether height limits should be expressed in feet or stories. Several speakers favored sticking to feet and using the Land Development Code (LDC) to set design, setback, and minimum first-floor height standards that support quality development and future resiliency. It was noted that bonus height would require meeting specific standards and would not be guaranteed.
• Mixed-use categories: The Future Land Use Element proposes seven mixed-use categories. The consultants explained differences between centers and corridors, including design and relationship to surrounding neighborhoods. Height ranges were described generally: community mixed-use up to six stories, neighborhood/main street up to four stories with a bonus, and the uptown district as the only area allowing the maximum height.
• Future Land Use Element: Discussion covered Objectives FLU 2-1, 2-2, 2-3, FLU 4-1, and FLU 5-1. A new residential estate category of one unit per two acres was noted. Regarding the Osteen Local Plan, a commissioner pointed out language that appeared crossed out or moved, despite assurances that the plan would not change. Consultants agreed to review the document and ensure no substantive changes were made. Another commissioner said language about “appropriate levels of service for government services” in development agreements was too vague and needed to be more definitive.
• Transportation and Mobility Element: The element was reorganized around a complete street network, including roadways, bicycles, pedestrians, transit, greenways, Blueways, emergency evacuation, and freight. Discussion included e-bike regulation, countywide trail connectivity, the future of SunRail, walkability gaps such as Saxon Boulevard near Walmart, city-owned versus centralized parking, golf carts as micro-mobility, and the need to plan for future technology and energy grid capacity. A commissioner asked for a section on commercial drone facilities; consultants recommended treating all aerial mobility together, while the city attorney noted state and federal preemption limits local control over drones.
• Level of service and roadway standards: The proposed table would allow Level of Service E on arterials and collectors, which some commissioners considered failing. One commissioner suggested raising standards to C on arterials and D on collectors and locals. Consultants and the city attorney warned that higher LOS standards could be expensive, could bind future commissions to tax increases, and may face state review under Senate Bill 180. A commissioner requested an impact analysis, including budget and SB 180 implications, before making a decision. Another commissioner opposed raising standards because of the cost to residents and noted that county roads also operate at LOS E. The commission agreed to gather more information and obtain a current report on how major arterial roads are operating.
• Housing Element: The element is largely unchanged, with three goals and nine objectives covering housing variety, affordability, accessibility, missing middle housing, ADUs, student and congregate housing, and substandard housing reduction. A new disaster resiliency policy addresses post-disaster housing assistance, post-storm permitting, and temporary housing. Commissioners asked about benchmarks and timelines for temporary housing; consultants said specifics would be in the LDC or disaster management plans. One commissioner cautioned against cutting off federal disaster housing assistance prematurely.
• Property Rights Element: The element is intentionally minimal, designed to comply with state law and consistent with model language used by most Florida jurisdictions.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Courtney Crossburrows spoke in favor of building vertically rather than outward to preserve green space. She described positive experiences living above shops in New York and New Jersey and supported using bonus incentives to encourage quality mixed-use development and community benefits.
• Norman Jean Gita called attention to missing sidewalks in Deltona, saying children on bikes are competing with cars. She asked the commission to revise sidewalk infrastructure priority language to emphasize network connectivity and safety.

Key Outcomes

• No formal motions, votes, or approvals were made; the meeting was a discussion and direction-setting workshop.
• Consultants were directed to include street labels on future maps, including key roads such as SR 415, Doyle Road, and other prominent corridors.
• Staff and consultants will review Osteen Local Plan language to ensure no unintended changes were introduced.
• The commission discussed making future code amendments adaptable, including retitling the city-owned parking policy to “centralized parking” and including golf carts within the definition of micro-mobility.
• Staff will prepare additional information on potential roadway level-of-service changes, including budget impacts and Senate Bill 180 considerations, along with a report on current arterial road operating conditions.
• Staff will coordinate on e-bike safety, pedestrian protection, and alternatives to Votran service, including local circulator options.
• The next Comprehensive Plan workshop is scheduled for Monday, November 16, 2026.