Orlando, Florida Local News
5-story New Smyrna Beach project gets pushback from neighbors
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A vacant building in New Smyrna Beach once housed a bank.”They need something there,” said Robert Brown, a Volusia resident who frequents the area. Visitors and residents said it was time for a change. Developers are now proposing a five-story shopping center with a rooftop restaurant and parking garage. The former bank would be demolished to make way for it. This isn’t what neighbors like Suzanne Trazskus had in mind. “You’re going to have more congestion because weekends here, it’s gridlock, and we’re going to have more gridlock,” said Trazskus.This building would sit right on A1A and Third Avenue, just a few yards away from the Third Avenue beach approach, which, according to NSB meeting documents, is one of the busiest for car traffic in Volusia County.New Smyrna Beach assistant city manager Ron Neibert said that this development could help this often busy street by providing more parking options.”May actually help the traffic situation because people are traveling the area multiple times looking for parking to go down to the beach,” said Neibert.More parking options will result in fewer cars circling the area to find a spot. Neibert believes this project could improve the experience for both tourists and residents.Brown feels otherwise.”That’s going to create a mess,” said Brown. “It’s just not responsible growth for the area, and it’s going to hurt some of the other businesses. And if I was a homeowner having that next to me, I’d be very opposed to that. “The property must be rezoned before development can happen. On Aug. 13, there will be a public hearing and second reading. Several residents will attend the commission meeting in opposition to the project.
A vacant building in New Smyrna Beach once housed a bank.
“They need something there,” said Robert Brown, a Volusia resident who frequents the area.
Visitors and residents said it was time for a change. Developers are now proposing a five-story shopping center with a rooftop restaurant and parking garage. The former bank would be demolished to make way for it. This isn’t what neighbors like Suzanne Trazskus had in mind.
“You’re going to have more congestion because weekends here, it’s gridlock, and we’re going to have more gridlock,” said Trazskus.
This building would sit right on A1A and Third Avenue, just a few yards away from the Third Avenue beach approach, which, according to NSB meeting documents, is one of the busiest for car traffic in Volusia County.
New Smyrna Beach assistant city manager Ron Neibert said that this development could help this often busy street by providing more parking options.
“May actually help the traffic situation because people are traveling the area multiple times looking for parking to go down to the beach,” said Neibert.
More parking options will result in fewer cars circling the area to find a spot. Neibert believes this project could improve the experience for both tourists and residents.
Brown feels otherwise.
“That’s going to create a mess,” said Brown. “It’s just not responsible growth for the area, and it’s going to hurt some of the other businesses. And if I was a homeowner having that next to me, I’d be very opposed to that. “
The property must be rezoned before development can happen. On Aug. 13, there will be a public hearing and second reading. Several residents will attend the commission meeting in opposition to the project.
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