trinity united methodist
DRONE PHOTO COURTESY CHRIS AND JESSICA LEVINGS CAMPUS OVERVIEW — A drone photo shows the campus of Trinity United Methodist Church at the corner of Clara and Wisconsin avenues near Downtown DeLand, with 50 parking spaces currently on-site. Across Wisconsin Avenue is the St. Barnabas Episcopal Church campus.

A number of development projects are on the DeLand City Commission’s agenda for its next regular meeting on Monday, Aug. 15.

Two of the developments the commission will discuss are plans to revitalize the former Southwest Activity Center near the interchange between State Road 472 and I-4 in DeLand. Once seen as an opportunity for neighboring municipalities to showcase economic development, DeLand, Orange City and Deltona are all planning to build up the area.

In DeLand’s case, Arizona-based developer Taylor Morrison wants to turn 29 acres into CTC DeLand, a 238-unit “high-end luxury” apartment community, and 143 acres into DeLand Tech Park, a commercial and industrial development.

CTC DeLand was heard by the City Commission in June, but amid concerns, notably about the project’s density and its connections to Tech Park, which had not yet been discussed by the Planning Board, it was continued.

As for Tech Park, the Planning Board had some fears about traffic congestion, but the project was approved July 20.

Another project the City Commission will discuss Aug. 15 is the plan to redevelop the former Trinity United Methodist Church at 306 W. Wisconsin Ave. into NorthWest Square, a multiuse project that would echo similar projects like Orlando’s East End Market.

The project is being led by DeLandites Chris and Jessica Levings, who are looking to turn the former church into a bustling commercial area and event space with several residential units. The DeLand City Commission approved the project on first reading in June, despite some concerns that there wouldn’t be enough on-site parking spots to facilitate NorthWest Square’s traffic.

If approved on second reading, the Levings family can move forward with the redevelopment of the more-than-100-year-old church.

Other items on the Aug. 15 agenda include an ordinance that would change how the city handles the development of brownfields, or land that requires significant remediation before it can be redeveloped. The city is required to have a Brownfield Advisory Committee, and the responsibility is currently shared by the DeLand Economic Development Committee.

If passed on first and second reading by the City Commission, this ordinance would create new, separate and project-specific Brownfield Advisory Committees.

The Aug. 15 City Commission meeting will convene at 7 p.m. in the City Commission Chambers in DeLand City Hall, 120 S. Florida Ave. The City Commission meets at 7 p.m. on the first and third Monday of every month. Meetings are also broadcast live on the city’s website, HERE.

When the meeting begins, a video camera icon will appear next to the meeting. Clicking it will bring online users to a live video of the meeting.

The full agenda packet for the Aug. 15 meeting is available on the city’s website, HERE.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here