Bellaire Community Vision

April, 2007

This document is to serve as the description of the Bellaire Community Group (BCG) “Vision” for our area as it relates to the city of Daytona Beach.

• Neighborhood Boundary: The BCG is made up of citizens who live in the area bounded on the north by Ormond Beach, on the south by residents living on University Avenue, on the east by the Atlantic Ocean and on the west by the Halifax River.
• Density and Housing: All areas with the exception of the A1A corridor will remain single-family residential in nature. The criteria for the designation for single-family will be consistent with the current description used in the city’s current codes i.e.: no more than 2 unrelated persons living in a residence; single family homes with a maximum density of 8 units per acre. The BCG recommends that the maximum density, as defined in the current land development code, should be maintained city wide. There shall be a height limit of 35 feet along the Halifax River in residential areas and a maximum height of 65 feet along the Halifax River in those areas zoned multi-family.
• Infrastructure: The city will provide for the replacement and repair of sidewalks, installation of new pavement (as needed), and curbs and gutters (installed in residential areas) on the existing roadways. Halifax, Oleander, and Grandview Avenues will be protected and maintained as two-lane residential streets. The area’s utilities will be relocated underground, and drainage infrastructure will be upgraded to adequately remove water from streets.
• Security and Safety: The city will provide sufficient police and fire protection necessary to maintain security and safety for residents and visitors. Code enforcement will maintain the city’s regulations, assuring the residents that the area will be well taken care of and remain residential in nature, consistent with single-family residential regulations.
• Commercial Corridor: The A1A corridor will be defined as the property east of A1A (Atlantic Avenue) and that area west of A1A currently zoned other than single family. This A1A corridor will remain tourist/commercial in nature. Atlantic Avenue will serve as the major north/south traffic corridor. The area where the residences bound on this tourist/commercial area will be separated by a landscaped buffer protecting those residential properties that abut the tourist/commercial area. Heights of these tourist commercial buildings on the west side of A1A will be limited to 35 feet. No development in the A1A corridor will exceed 40 units per acre.
• Appearance and Aesthetics: Establish and enforce landscaping standards on all development and residential properties within the community. Rights of way and swales shall be maintained by the residents in accordance with current Code Enforcement expectations; residential landscaping (trees, plantings, gardens, and so forth) shall be attractive and consistent with community and Code Enforcement standards.
• Beach and Beach Access: All beach approaches shall be open and free to pedestrian and vehicular traffic for both residents and visitors. In commercially developed areas, public walkways shall be provided and maintained; permanent restroom structures shall be established and maintained; the beach itself shall be maintained in ways that maximize public use and enjoyment.
• Landmark Oceanfront Park: In order to conjure Daytona’s unique history, a park shall be created on a substantial section of beachfront, which shall be restored, as closely as possible, to its natural state: dunes, native vegetation, with wooden walkovers to protect the area and to provide access and ambience.

Conclusion: As a result of Senate Bill 360, and the liberalization of the review process relating to changes in Land Development Codes and other regulations, we encourage those on the Executive Committee to assure us that this exercise will result in a tangible implementation (ordinance, charter change, regulations, etc.) of our Vision Plan. Without a plan to implement and enforce our Vision it is feared that this plan will merely become a “fast track” to administratively change existing codes without citizen oversight. BCG would not endorse such a process.

The Bellaire Community Group would like to express our appreciation to those citizens who take the time to participate in the process of developing a Vision Plan for Daytona Beach.