- April 23, 2024
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Debbie Cotton, Rob Littleton, Troy Kent, Parker Mynchenberg, Ronnie Bledsoe, Ed Kelley, Bill Partington, Susan Persis, Carl Persis, Dwight Selby and others at the ribbon-cutting on Thursday, April 4. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Parker Mynchenberg speaks during the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Plantation Oaks on Thursday, April 4. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Ormond Beach Mayor Bill Partington speaks during the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Plantation Oaks on Thursday, April 4. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
County Council Chair Ed Kelley speaks during the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Plantation Oaks on Thursday, April 4. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Ormond Beach is now home to a new 55 and up community, as Plantation Oaks of Ormond Beach initiated its grand opening weekend with a ribbon-cutting on Thursday, April 4.
A development almost 17 years in the making, Plantation Oaks will be a 1,577 unit manufactured home community when completed. Located off Broadway Avenue, which was renamed Plantation Oaks Boulevard, the development is in between U.S. 1 and Old Dixie Highway. It sits on 1,033 acres, and phase II consists of 427 homes, with prices starting in the $130,000 range.
“We have a beautiful piece of, what a lot of call and we do too, Old Florida," said Developer Ronnie Bledsoe at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
His partner Parker Mynchenberg said they were excited about the project. He called attention to the completed 10,300 square foot clubhouse where the event was held.
“This just doesn’t happen without a lot of hard work," Mynchenberg said.
Plantation Oaks was first proposed in 2002, and received approval from the Volusia County Council in 2012. Back then, there were protests with some fearing the project would harm the Loop, known for its natural beauty. Contacted recently, Joe Jaynes, chairman of Scenic Loop and Trail, said there should be little to no visual impact from Old Dixie Highway, because the developer left the same buffer width as Halifax Plantation. He said he expects some increase in traffic on the Loop, but believes most residents will exit onto U.S. 1.
Plantation Oaks will also be annexed into the city of Ormond Beach.
“One of the things that Plantation Oaks offers is housing options, and I think Ormond Beach needs that," City Commissioner Dwight Selby said.
The ribbon-cutting was attended by all members of the City Commission, County Council Chair Ed Kelley, County Councilman Ben Johnson, School Board Member Carl Persis, members of the Ormond Beach Chamber of Commerce and other prominent figures in the community.
Kelley said this provided unique housing to those wishing to retire in the area.
“You can be in Ormond Beach," Kelley said. "To me, that’s unique, and that’s desirable.”
Ormond Beach Mayor Bill Partington said he's been scoping out the development for the past few months since the road opened, and has been telling people “how beautiful it is if you like Florida living.”
“It’s just going to be fantastic," Partington said.
