VCC Tables Space Industry Overlay Discussion One Month

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DeLand, FL - A months-long discussion of amendments to the Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element and the Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use element is going to continue for another month.  The amendments pertain to the Volusia County Commercial Space Industry Opportunity Overlay.

Both amendments were recommended for approval by County staff during today's meeting but numerous emails from constituents prompted District 3 Councilperson Deb Denys to move to table Items 3 and 4 until the June 2, 2020, Volusia County Council meeting.

Those opposed to the amendments passing say they are doing so to protect our natural environment. District 4 Councilperson Heather Post said she'd heard from a number of constituents asking for Council to table the amendments. "For transparency, I see absolutely nothing wrong with the public knowing what this entails and what it involves. There should be zero push-back on that at all. So, let's ensure that the public knows what's happening and they can give their opinions about it and we can make a decision based on the right thing to do."

County Chair Ed Kelley said that he personally sees no reason to put the vote off. It does not affect any zoning change and is, in fact, more strict to develop in the areas.  He said it's not at the last minute, that nothing is hidden from the public, and that the information about the amendments has been available for anyone to see since December. "If we had been doing something to gut the Comp plan or to gut the conditions, I could understand your concern. This improves everything we are doing." In the end, Kelley went along with all of the other Council members and voted yes to table the amendments to the first meeting in June.

Item 4 is to create the Volusia County Commercial Space Industry Opportunity Overlay. This overlay provides a tool for the county to attract, retain, and expand aerospace industries in the geographic region known as the Cape Canaveral Spaceport Technology Triangle, which includes Oak Hill.  Denys made the motion to also table this item.   Post seconded and Kelley, again, went along with the rest of the Council and voted to table the item.

Kelley finished the discussion on these items saying that he would like county residents to ask their questions. "Those of you who don't understand or you have questions, get those questions in as soon as possible so that we can understand. Let us know why and give us that and let us see if we can't come to an agreement that is good for all residents of Volusia County."

Volusia County Commercial Space Industry Opportunity Overlay, CSIOO, Oak Hill