- April 19, 2024
-
-
Loading
Loading
In response to Ormond Beach Mayor Bill Partington and the City Commission's initiative to begin a citizen review committee in light of recent citizen outrage over the clear-cutting of land for the upcoming Granada Pointe, CANDO 2 has proposed that the city suspend all actions regarding commercial development, effective immediately, for the six months until the committee is installed.
CANDO 2, or Citizens and Neighbors Dedicated to Ormond Beach, submitted the moratorium to city staff on April 17, as shown on a packet distributed at the group's meeting on Thursday, May 11, at the Ormond Beach Public Library, which was attended by about 130 people. The moratorium states "other cities facing the same intense growth pressures have employed this strategy to pause and regroup." It also reads that the six-month break would allow the city conduct more detailed studies of traffic pattern impacts of the development currently in the works.
“We definitely think that the six-month period would be very helpful for everyone, citizens and the commission, to get a handle on where we stand as a community and they get a better idea of where we want to go," said CANDO 2 founder Ken Sipes.
CANDO 2's moratorium would also give time for the city to consider the group's request to have the current wetland and development rules restored to the city's 2009 rules, which the group has also begun a separate written petition to the City Commission for. One resident from Ormond-by-the-Sea asked the Sipeses whether the group could email a comparison of the current rules with the 2009 to educate themselves and determine the good and bad parts about both.
The group also underwent a change with its spokesperson, as former City Commissioner Jeff Boyle decided to step down after allegations from his time as a teacher at Seabreeze High School resurfaced. Sipes said Boyle did not want to be a distraction to purpose of CANDO 2. Sipes said CANDO 2 is not about "any one person."
“They can keep talking about it, but we are going forward with our agenda to help Ormond Beach and that’s what we’re about," Sipes said.
Ormond Beach resident Thomas Alexander said that what happened to Boyle left a "bad taste in his mouth." He added that he didn't know him personally, but wanted to thank him for his actions in CANDO 2.
“I know when you attack the message, and want to discuss the message, that’s what we should be doing. When you attack an individual, that means you’re losing.”
Thomas Alexander, Ormond Beach resident
“I know when you attack the message, and want to discuss the message, that’s what we should be doing," Alexander said. "When you attack an individual, that means you’re losing.”
Granada Pointe was also brought up, with one Ormond Beach resident asking Ormond Beach Planning Director Steven Spraker to address some questions. As some people in the audience became confrontational, Ormond Beach City Manager Joyce Shanahan put a stop to the impromptu Q&A session.
"We’re happy to answer any questions but we’re not going to interrogate my staff," Shanahan said.
Shanahan later informed the public about the series of "community conversation meetings" for the city's strategic plan update, beginning June 28. There will be six meetings in six months, each one on the following topics: community development, transportation, the environment and water quality, public safety, leisure and economic development. They will be held at Calvary Christian Church.
Another City Commission candidate also announced his intent to run. Barry duMoulin will be running against incumbent City Commissioner Rob Littleton to represent Zone four.
CANDO 2 is not a political action committee, and founder Julie Sipes voiced their disclaimer that they do not endorse or oppose specific political candidates. However, CANDO 2 does encourage citizen participation in local elections.
Ormond Beach resident Bob Baumer spoke to this subject, saying that gatherings were helpful, but what matters is voting.
“It is my belief the only way we’re going to see change is to literally, or I should say figuratively, throw the current City Commissioners into the retention pond," Baumer said.
The next CANDO 2 meeting will take place at 5:30 p.m., June 14, at the Ormond Beach Public Library auditorium.
