‘VCARD DEVELOPMENTS’
February, 2012
Expanding Impact Fee Moratoria To Industrial Development … by Mark Watts, VCARD Chair
In the last half of 2011, the Volusia Building Industry Association (VBIA) led a
discussion with Volusia County, our municipalities and the School Board regarding
the temporary suspension of impact fees.
While the results of that discussion varied from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, the
overall result was a positive one, particularly relative to impact fees for residential
construction. (See related news item on page 4.)
VCARD supported the VBIA’s efforts, but also recognized the need to continue a
dialogue regarding the fiscal health of our capital infrastructure programs.
The Inside News
Environment
Pages 2, 3
 St. Johns River Water Study
 Waterway Pollution Rule
 Volusia Floodplain Maps
Volusia / Flagler
Pages 3 - 5
 Volusia Day At State Capitol
 ISB Coalition
 Impact Fee Moratoriums
 Ormond ‘Opportunity Zone’
 Flagler Transportation
Planning Organization
 New Bunnell Zoning Districts
Membership News
Pages 5 – 6
VCARD’s Golf Tournament
Is May 4, 2012
Thanks To Our Sponsors:
Dredging & Marine Consultants
E Sciences
Gallery Homes Of DeLand
Greenberg Traurig
Rogers Towers
S & ME
Singhofen & Associates
(see web sites on page 6)
The fiscal health of our infrastructure backbone is vital to our
long term success as a region. We need to work collaboratively to
understand the long term revenue picture and design alternatives to
ensure its health. The discussion must consider expectations of
expansion, maintenance obligations and consistent sources of
funding. As an organization, we stand ready to participate in that
discussion.
At the same time, I also believe we need to take further action to
remain competitive in the broader regional market and advance our
economic recovery.
Most of the surrounding counties have adopted broader impact fee
moratoria than what we have in place.
~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~
As we enter 2012, we need to expand our impact fee moratoria to
cover targeted economic development opportunities in development
classifications such as industrial, office and hotels. These are all
areas of the economy that create jobs for our residents.
Enhancing our competitiveness in the Central Florida region is
important to build on what momentum there is toward economic
recovery.
At this time, economic development and improved
employment opportunities are the most significant challenges facing
our communities. It is evident that our local government leaders also
recognize this challenge – through their recent initiatives for business
growth and impact fee reductions.
~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~
VCARD – together with the VBIA, the Volusia Manufacturers
Association and Chambers of Commerce – has established a working
group to coordinate our strategy and advance this discussion of
expanded impact fee moratoria to these job-creating developments.
I invite everyone who is interested to join us and be a part of this
discussion. Mark.
February, 2012 Newsletter
Page 2
~~ ENVIRONMENTAL ~~
The potential impacts of withdrawing water from the St. Johns River are the focus of a study being
finalized by the ST. JOHNS RIVER WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT. The agency’s staff is reviewing
data and conclusions reached by scientists with the National Research Council (NRC). The NRC
scientists spent almost three years developing models based on withdrawals of water from the St.
Johns River, and gathering data on the environmental impacts.
… The independent NRC review was prompted by the water district’s earlier approval of a facility to
pull water from the St. Johns River to service areas of West Volusia and Seminole counties. At that
time, Water District officials viewed surface water withdrawals as a viable alternative to increased
groundwater supplies that they feared could harm the underground aquifer. And they had
determined that these surface water withdrawals wouldn’t have an adverse effect on the river’s
water quality and habitat (plants and animals).
… But the proposed facility bought strong protests from environmental groups that in turn led the
Water District to commission NRC to conduct the independent analysis. And that recently-completed
report concludes that such withdrawals could have some potential impacts.
… So the Water District likely will propose more permit restrictions or safeguards in their final report
that will be reviewed by the Governing Board, local governments and interested groups.
… Meanwhile, water supply planners also are evaluating the actual need for this type of facility. With
the recent years’ slowdown in development and population growth, planners now are predicting that
the amount of future groundwater withdrawals may not be as significant as was projected five to
seven years ago. And these impacts also are continually being studied by the Water District.
… Waterway Pollution Rule Update …
State environmental and legislative leaders continue working to enact new regulations to control
runoff of nutrients (particularly nitrogen and phosphorous) into Florida’s waterways to stem the
buildup of algae and other pollutants.
… Almost two years ago, the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) adopted strict NUMERIC
NUTRIENT RUNOFF STANDARDS, first to be enforced in Florida’s inland waterways (rivers, lakes,
streams and some canals and ditches) -- and later coastal waters as well.
… Potential costs of implementing the federal rules prompted major challenges from agricultural and
industrial interests as well as state and local government leaders. Thus, EPA allowed the Florida
Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to craft alternative rules for the inland waterways.
Those DEP rules are moving through the Legislature and then on to the EPA for formal approval.
… These alternative state rules are viewed more favorably by regulated interests such as utilities,
local governments, agriculture and the business community who charge that the EPA standards are
not based on scientific evidence and would unfairly bring excessive costs. At the same time, the
pending DEP rules are being challenged as inadequate by environmental groups who originally
prompted EPA to force the federal standards on Florida government.
… The standards originally were scheduled for enactment in November, 2010 but the ongoing
controversies have led to continual extensions. The current enactment date is June 6 but that also
will likely be extended. And the environmentalists’ challenge also could halt implementation of the
DEP alternative rule even after it gains formal acceptance from the federal EPA.
… Cathy Vogel (The Catalina Group) has been instrumental in keeping VCARD members updated on
this ongoing water quality issue. Call VCARD for more information or reports that she has furnished.
February, 2012 Newsletter
Page 3
Updated FLOOD HAZARD MAPS are being proposed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA) for municipalities throughout Volusia County. The preliminary maps are available at the
various government centers and information also can be accessed through volusia.org / emergency.
… Based on updated geographic information, the maps determine which properties are within the
100-year floodplain. Those with federally-backed mortgages must acquire flood insurance – the cost
determined by the flood risk and property value. The maps also are used by local governments as
guides for regulating development in flood hazard areas.
… The preliminary maps are tentatively scheduled to become effective in mid-November.
… These maps are periodically updated by FEMA. Volusia’s were last updated in 2003 and new maps
for Flagler County are scheduled to be released next year.
~~ VOLUSIA / FLAGLER ~~
VOLUSIA DAY in the Tallahassee State Capitol is Wednesday, February 15 – sponsored by the
Daytona Regional Chamber of Commerce in cooperation with the Volusia League of Cities – and
open to VCARD members and local government representatives.
… Buses depart at 6 a.m. from Daytona International Speedway and 5:30 a.m. from the Lowe’s Home
Improvement Store on International Speedway Boulevard in DeLand. The groups travel to
Tallahassee for a full day of presentations and interaction with state government officials and
legislative leaders, including representatives from the Volusia / Flagler delegations.
… Cost is $25 per person. The fee includes continental breakfast, lunch at the capitol, dinner on the
return ride, and refreshments along the trip.
… SPONSORSHIPS are available for firms that would like to promote their services to business and
state government leaders in Tallahassee. Reservations should be forwarded to Lauren Snyder at the
Daytona Chamber of Commerce: Lauren@daytonachamber.com or 386-523-3681. NOTE: During
each year’s legislative session, both the Daytona Regional Chamber of Commerce and Volusia League
of Cities are instrumental in keeping VCARD updated on pending bills that impact business,
development and local governments. Thanks to Chamber Government Relations Director Jim
Cameron and Volusia League of Cities Executive Director Mary Swiderski. And be sure to advise
VCARD if you would like to be kept updated on any pending legislation.
~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~
Volusia County Chair Frank Bruno has been elected to chair the Governing Board of Central Florida
Rail Commission, the regional agency overseeing development and operation of the Central Florida
SunRail commuter rail system, eventually extending from DeLand to Poinciana in Osceola County.
~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~
Managing and enhancing future growth and redevelopment along DAYTONA BEACH’s International
Speedway Boulevard (ISB) is an ongoing focus of the ISB Coalition. The Coalition includes
representatives from government, institutions, business and development with an interest in the
Halifax Area’s main thoroughfare – extending from the I-4 interchange east through the city to the
ocean. The Coalition has five committees providing assistance and input to the goals and objectives
of the organization: Planning, Infrastructure, Fundraising, Public Relations and Communications.
… This Coalition effort coincides with a separate ISB Corridor Transportation Plan being developed by
Ghyabi & Associates (a VCARD member firm). The plan will identify short and long range
transportation alternatives for ISB, based on current and planned land uses and patterns of
development. More information about the ISB Coalition and transportation plan can be accessed
through www.isbcoalition.org
February, 2012 Newsletter
Page 4
… Municipalities Working To Attract Development …
The bulk of residential IMPACT FEES in Volusia County have been placed on temporary hold with the
School Board’s recent enactment of a two-year moratorium on school impact fees. Meanwhile,
School District officials are negotiating with representatives of the Volusia Building Industry
Association (VBIA) on a potentially-revised impact fee rate when the fees are reinstated. The current
fee rate is $6,066 per residential unit.
… For three years, the VBIA has been involved in a lawsuit with the School Board and county
government over the impact fee rate. The VBIA agreed to dismiss the lawsuit in exchange for the
moratorium.
… Aside from school impact fees, the VBIA has led a drive in recent months encouraging local
governments throughout Volusia to suspend impact fee collections, hoping it will spur more
development during the current economic slump. Most significant is county government’s recentlyenacted two-year moratorium on residential impact fees for transportation, parks and fire
protection. (The moratorium only applies to residences within urban areas where utility services are
available.) These county-imposed fees for a single family home can range from about $3,042 in
unincorporated areas to about $2,174 within cities where separate parks and fire service impact fees
are charged by individual municipalities. After the moratorium, the county impact fees will be
gradually re-instated in one-third increments the following three years. And an initiative is underway
to have this moratoria extended to include impact fees for industrial, office and hotel development.
(see page 1 column by VCARD Chair Mark Watts.)
… In recent months, the cities of DeLand, Daytona Beach, South Daytona and Port Orange also have
put temporary holds or reductions on impact fees for different types of services (i.e. water, sewage,
parks or fire / rescue).
… And during the past year, other cities have enacted similar impact fee reductions and other types
of incentives to lure business and development – ranging from Palm Coast’s business loans and
“business ready” permitting approach; New Smyrna Beach’s grants and tax credits within
Community Redevelopment Areas; and Edgewater’s reductions and deferments of impact fees for
qualifying industrial developments.
… Call VCARD for details about any particular government(s) pro-development incentives.
~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~
Creation of a 400-acre brownfield has been approved by ORMOND BEACH officials who also are
appointing an advisory board to assist with the oversight of redevelopment projects within this new
economic “opportunity zone.”
… The zone includes much of Ormond’s mainland core, extending east / west from Beach Street to
Old Kings Road and north / south between Wilmette and Tomoka avenues.
… Ormond is the most recent of numerous Volusia and Flagler cities to use brownfield designations
to promote redevelopment of their urban areas. Brownfields are previously-developed sites whose
past use complicates redevelopment due to actual or “perceived” contamination. Many of these
properties are not contaminated and need not be contaminated to be designated as brownfields.
… The designation helps local governments and developers qualify for state and federal programs to
assist with environmental assessments, cleanup, and financial incentives for re-using the tracts –
hence some of the cities have begun referring to their brownfields as “economic opportunity zones.”
… Call VCARD for details on any particular municipality’s brownfield zone – or power point
presentations from a 2010 educational forum that VCARD sponsored on the economic benefits to
brownfields redevelopment.
February, 2012 Newsletter
Page 5
… Flagler / Volusia News … continued from page 4 …
Officials from FLAGLER COUNTY governments are awaiting the results of 2012 census data that will
determine if the county has grown to the point of being designated an “urban area.” The
designation enables a county to form or join a Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) and thus
become eligible for additional state and federal funding for transportation-related projects.
… For more than a year, Palm Coast and county government officials have been weighing their
options should the designation be gained: join either the Volusia or the North Florida TPO – or form a
TPO of their own, which may be unlikely as the creation of new TPOs is discouraged by state
government. (Florida already has 26 TPOs –more than any other state.)
… In the meantime, the coastal cities of Flagler Beach and Beverly Beach already are part of Volusia’s
TPO, having been designated in the 2000 census to be part of Volusia’s transportation network.
… Sans Lassiter and Clay Ervin (Lassiter Transportation Group), as well as Charlie Faulkner (Faulkner
& Associates) have been monitoring the progress of this important Flagler County transportation
issue.. Thanks to them for keeping everyone updated.
… TPOs exist in metropolitan areas throughout the nation to help coordinate better transportation
plans within metropolitan areas.
Flagler County government’s Land Code Advisory Committee meets monthly to review sections of
the code as updated by planning staff. A team of FCARD members is monitoring the process and
providing input. A draft of the entire updated code should be complete by summer.
~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~
BUNNELL officials are updating zoning districts to comply with the updated comprehensive plan. An
ordinance currently moving toward adoption creates new zoning districts for agriculture and
silviculture, and conservation (including rural preservation / planned unit developments, family
homesteads and rural subdivisions). Other districts’ guidelines will be addressed in follow-up
ordinances. Call VCARD if you would like to receive copies of these zoning district ordinance drafts.
A comprehensive new sign ordinance has been drafted by Bunnell planners and will be reviewed by
the Planning Board on February 21. Call VCARD if you would like to view the ordinance draft. City
planners are encouraging input from our association.
~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~
Congratulations to Linda Provencher and Joy McGrew who FLAGLER BEACH voters selected as
Mayor and City Commissioner (respectively) in the January 31 city election.
~~ VCARD / FCARD NEWS ~~
Consolidated-Tomoka Land Co. has been honored as the Halifax Habitat for Humanity’s 2011 / 2012
“Spirit Of Hope” award recipient, being recognized for many contributions to the community – and
to the Habitat’s programs facilitating home ownership, renovations and new construction.
Blaine Lansberry (Bahama House Resort) has been honored with the 20th annual Herbert M. Davidson
Memorial Award from the Community Foundation of Volusia & Flagler. Blaine was recognized for her
community service and many contributions to charitable and civic organizations for the past 25 years.
… VCARD Members Elected As Chamber of Commerce Leaders …
Suzanne Forbes (James Moore & Co.) is new Chair of the Daytona Regional Chamber of Commerce
for 2012. The Chamber’s Chair-Elect is Phil Maroney (Root Organization) and Past-Chair is Tom Leek
(Cobb Cole). Michael Woods (Cobb Cole) is President-Elect of DeLand Area Chamber of Commerce.
February, 2012 Newsletter
Page 6
… VCARD / FCARD Membership News … continued from page 5 …
Dickens & Associates, Inc., a Daytona Beach-based consulting engineering firm, announces that the
National Council on Qualifications for the Lighting Professions (NCQLP) has awarded its Lighting
Certified (LC) Professional Certification to Edwin W. Best.
… Earned through examination, the certification tests knowledge in the field of illumination including
survey and audit of existing facilities, lighting design, financial analysis, installation and
commissioning, operations and maintenance, and compliance for interior and exterior illumination.
… Among more than 3,000 projects for which Mr. Best has designed the illumination are the Volusia
County Ocean Center and Courthouse, Daytona Beach International Airport, a prominent actor’s
Ocala residence, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and Daytona State College.
… Mr. Best has successfully completed the Official Marine Turtle Exterior Lighting Exam. He has been
a member of the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America since 1980, and many of his
designs have been recognized by the Society.
Don’t Miss Out! … Reservations are being accepted for VCARD’s Golf Tournament ‘fun-raiser’ 2012
on May 4 at Halifax Plantation Golf Club, Ormond Beach.
… This annual event is popular among development professionals and local government
representatives throughout North and Central Florida … featuring a fun day of golf … socializing and
networking … food and refreshments … and many valuable prizes. Call VCARD for a flier explaining
opportunities for sponsors and players.
Thanks to
Dredging & Marine Consultants (www.dmces.com)
E Sciences (www.esciencesinc.com)
Gallery Homes of DeLand (www.galleryhomesofdeland.com)
Greenberg Traurig (www.gtlaw.com)
Rogers Towers (www.rtlaw.com)
S & ME (www.smeinc.com)
Singhofen & Associates (www.saiengineers.com)
Sponsors of VCARD’s newsletter. Please visit their corporate web sites for details about the
development-related services they provide: