Editor, The Beacon:

As a lifelong resident of DeLand, I have cherished the tranquil beauty and close-knit community that defines our town. However, in recent years, I have witnessed with a heavy heart the rapid transformation of our beloved landscapes into sprawling high-density subdivisions. The once-serene wooded areas, where children played and wildlife thrived, are now replaced by concrete and asphalt.​

This overdevelopment has not only marred the natural beauty of DeLand, but has also led to increased flooding, traffic congestion and loss of wildlife habitats. Residents have voiced concerns that new developments are contributing to persistent floods, disrupting the lives of those in long-standing neighborhoods.

Now, with the introduction of CS/SB 1118, our community faces an even greater threat. This bill seeks to override local land-use regulations, allowing developers to proceed without adhering to the comprehensive plans that safeguard our environment and way of life. Such legislation would strip away the power of local governments and residents to have a say in the development that directly impacts our daily lives.

One of the most dangerous aspects of this bill is how it allows developers to push through projects without having to follow the local comprehensive plans that were put in place to protect residents. Right now, if someone wants to convert farmland into a massive housing development, they must go through a process that considers the impact on roads, water supply, schools and emergency services. This bill takes away that safeguard by allowing developers to get automatic approval for projects — regardless of whether they fit the existing zoning or long-term plans of the community.

Additionally, the bill forces counties to treat agricultural enclaves — small pockets of farmland surrounded by urban areas — as if they were already part of the city. This means a farmer in West Volusia could wake up one day to find high-density-housing developments being approved right next to their property with no say in the matter. Increased traffic, infrastructure strain and environmental damage will follow, but the voices of the people who live there will be ignored.

Another major concern is how this bill limits the ability of local governments to regulate land use. It prohibits counties from enforcing certain rules, including regulations that might prevent harmful industrial activity near homes and schools.

For example, ethanol production — a process that involves fermentation, distillation and drying — is reclassified under this bill so that it is no longer considered chemical manufacturing. This could mean ethanol plants setting up shop in rural areas with fewer environmental restrictions, increasing risks of pollution and groundwater contamination.

The bottom line is this, CS/SB 1118 is a developer-friendly bill that overrides local decision-making and puts rural residents at risk. It prioritizes profit over responsible growth, environmental protection, and the rights of homeowners and farmers.

I urge our state legislators to vote against this bill and for Volusia County residents to contact their representatives. Once local control is gone, it won’t come back — and we will all have to live with the consequences.

If we remain silent, we risk losing the very essence of what makes DeLand special. It is imperative that we, as a community, raise our voices and stand against unchecked development. Let us come together to preserve the character and integrity of our town for future generations.​

Sincerely,

Tod Sutherland

DeLand