- April 26, 2024
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Electronic changeable copy signs for gas stations. Should they require a special exception?
The Ormond Beach Planning Board recommended approval with a 4-1 vote for four special exceptions for these type of signs at its March 14 meeting. One of the requests is from Wawa, which is proposing to build a new gas station at the Ormond Gateway commercial subdivision at 1670 North U.S. 1, and the other three are from 7-Eleven, which seeks to replace its signs at three of its local gas stations: 3 N. Yonge St, 460 S. Atlantic Ave. and 1546 W. Granada Blvd.
Planning Board member GG Galloway questioned why a special exception process is still required for electronic changeable copy signs, seeing as the board has already approved them for other gas stations.
“This is what drives the private sector crazy,” he said. “Once you set a precedent, why does a company have to come through and go through this exercise again?”
City Senior Planner Sarah Cushing said city signage regulations mandate gas stations go through the special exception process, so they cannot be approved administratively at this time.
City Attorney Randy Hayes said that the city’s regulations in the Land Development Code is derived from state law.
“Prior to the enactment of this exception in the state law, these applications didn’t come before you and wouldn’t likely come before you, unless you made some wholesale change in the land development code, with respect to electronic signage,” Hayes said.
Before 2019, electronic changeable copy signs were not allowed in the city of Ormond Beach, Planning Director Steven Spraker said. A special exception process was then established to review them. If the board thinks they shouldn’t require a special exception, Spraker said, they can recommend the process be changed.
Board Chair Doug Thomas said he liked the special exception process because it allowed for more input.
Board member Mike Scudiero was the only board member to vote against the special exceptions, citing an inconsistency in how the ordinance is written.
“I don’t think it sends the right message to other business operators in the city that might also have a very finite number of characters on their sign that could be electronic, but can’t,” Scudiero said.
The special exceptions are tentatively scheduled to be reviewed by the City Commission on April 16.
Ormond Beach Mayor Bill Partington has been selected as a recipient of the 2024 Home Rule Hero award by the Florida League of Cities.
Partington will be presented with the award at the Volusia League of Cities meeting on Wednesday, May 30.
The Florida League of Cities presents the award to local government officials, both elected and non-elected, who “consistently responded to the League’s request to reach out to members of the Legislature and help give a local perspective on an issue,” according to a press release.
“The dedication and effort of these local officials who tirelessly advocated for local decision-making was a difference-maker this legislative session,” said Casey Cook, FLC chief of legislative affairs in the press release.“On behalf of the League and its legislative team, we’re proud to recognize each of them and thank them for their service.”
Partington was previously recognized with the award in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020.
He was first elected to the City Commission as the Zone 4 representative in 2003.
Tomoka Christian Church is seeking a special exception to build a new, standalone two-story building on its property at 1450 Hand Ave.
The building, proposed to span about 20,000 square feet, will house a care center, thrift shop and food pantry.
The Planning Board unanimously recommended approval at its March 14 meeting.
The city of Ormond Beach is looking to hire summer camp counselors for its three summer camps, according to a notice on the city’s website.
The positions are for the Club T-Rec for Special Populations, Summer Connection Day Camp, and the Environmental Discovery Center’s EnviroCamp. According to the application, the hourly pay is $15 for camp counselors and $15.50 for the lead camp counselor.
Visit bit.ly/3IURbU8.
