- December 16, 2025
The applicant wants to test the local market.
The City Commission deadlocked in a vote Nov. 5 to allow a Magnetic Resonance Imaging machine in a trailer in a parking lot on Granada Boulevard, so the business owner will have a chance to revise the proposal and make another pitch at a later meeting.
With Mayor Ed Kelley absent, the vote was split two to two. The means the decision will be automatically continued to the next meeting where all five officials will be in attendance, according to City Attorney Randy Hayes.
Traci Postell, owner of New Smyrna Imaging LLC, sought permission to have an MRI at 801 W. Granada Blvd. for a period of not more than four years. It would be located in a trailer with skirting to the side of the building.
Postell has an agreement with the property owner to rent space for a medical office in the building. Because of limited space, the MRI would need to be located in a trailer.
She told the commission she has had an established medical business in New Smyrna Beach since 2003, and wants the temporary arrangement to test the Ormond Beach market. She also owns a similar business in Cocoa Beach.
“We’ve been in negotiations to buy the building and convert it, but I have to be sure this area will support the business,” she said.
She would be required to landscape the front and east buffers.
The commissioners did not like the fact that, even with landscaping, the trailer will be visible to eastbound traffic on Granada Boulevard.
“Everything screams don’t do this,” said Commissioner Troy Kent. “I’m business friendly, but this looks like something you’d see after a hurricane.”
He said Postell should do research to determine if there is a market for her business. He said a citizen would not be able to put a trailer in their yard.
Commissioner James Stowers also said that if the trailer would be visible from the roadway, he would vote no. He said he didn’t think there was room for much landscaping.
“A couple of planters in front won’t cut it,” he said.
Commissioner Rick Boehm pointed out that the medical office is the type of business that would bring in high wage earners, and said Postell should be given a chance to offer a revised proposal.
Commissioner Bill Partington, who was running the meeting as deputy mayor, also indicated he would like to give Postell another chance.
The vote was split evenly, with Stowers and Kent voting no. The matter will come before the commission at a later meeting and the applicant will be able to revise the proposal.
In other action, the commission gave final approval to an ordinance that provides additional regulation of panhandling.
Aggressive panhandling, a conduct that is considered harassing, abusive, coercive or misleading in order to obtain money, is banned throughout the city.
Passive panhandling can be a simple request for money, or holding a sign that can be reasonably interpreted as a request for money, such as “hungry please help.” This type of panhandling is now banned along Granada Boulevard from Interchange Boulevard to the eastern curb of Williamson Boulevard, because of traffic concerns.
Passive panhandling is also banned within public transportation vehicles or facilities, the area around or in public bathrooms, or near ATMs.
