- December 15, 2025
Properties can be annexed even if not contiguous with the city.
Like an iceberg inching its way down a mountain, the Interlocal Service Boundary Agreement moved a little closer to its destination Jan. 20 when the City Commission gave approval to the comprehensive plan amendments that are necessary to implement the agreement. The city is one step closer to being able to apply its codes and zoning along the entire length of North U.S. 1, even in unincorporated areas.
The agreement has been in the works for four years, including negotiations with Volusia County, and will now go to the state for an “expedited approval process.” City Attorney Randy Hayes said individuals have 30 days to appeal the approval.
The U.S. 1 corridor has been a checkerboard of city and county jurisdictions, causing inefficiencies in delivering services, such as police and fire, and inconsistent regulations.
Happy to see the plan move forward is the U.S. 1 Coalition, a group of individuals and businesses working to improve the corridor. Peggy Farmer, leader of the group, said they had a recent meeting with about 20 participants and reviewed city plans for landscaping the medians. They learned that the Interstate 95 and U.S. 1 interchange will also be landscaped.
“It’s exciting,” Farmer said. “There will be a single line of medjool palms along the ramps.”
Hayes said some housekeeping work needs to be done in addition to getting state approval, such as working out the intenerate vendor agreement in the code. Properties with year-round businesses are grandfathered in for itinerant vendors, but others will not be able to have itinerant vendors after five years.
Farmer said several businesses that have been grandfather in are taking part in the U.S 1 Coalition. Attending the recent meeting were Destination Daytona and Harris Village and RV Park, both of which have vendors during motorcycle events. She said 14 businesses have been grandfathered in.
The U.S. 1 Coalition got its start when it donated a total of $20,000 to landscape the medians, and the amount was matched by the city of Ormond Beach and Volusia County. The Florida Department of Transportation is contributing a grant of $750,000.
Farmer said the construction of the landscaping should begin in April and be complete by the end of the year.
She said even though the landscaping is now “on autopilot,” the coalition plans to stay involved with the corridor. They have been discussing ideas such as developing assistance programs similar to what OrmondMainstreet has done with Granada Boulevard.
One change in the Interlocal Agreement is that properties can now be annexed into the city even if they are not contiguous with city property. Hayes said annexation is normally done after a landowner requests it. He pointed out that properties pay lower property taxes and less for water after being annexed.
He also said the city having jurisdiction over codes for the entire area should be seamless and existing businesses will not notice a difference.
