Immigration Attorneys in De Land, FL

DeLand, Fla. — Leaders with the city of DeLand say they are looking at alternative ways to solve the affordable housing crisis they are seeing in their community.

What You Need To Know

In order to provide additional affordable housing options and opportunities for infill development within the city’s core gateway overlay, city staff presented on Monday a set of draft regulations introducing the concept of tiny homes.

“Right now, people cannot build tiny home communities in DeLand just based on our regulations,” Community Information Manager Chris Graham said. “And there’s been a desire for it from developers, from people who would like to live here in DeLand.”

He said over the years, a number of developers have expressed interest in building tiny home communities within the city, however, it’s not been possible before.

On Monday, city commissioners discussed the idea and presented models showing what these tiny homes would look like.

Staff presented an amendment to the city’s code that would allow for tiny homes between the size of 200 and 600 square feet to be built in residential areas, and would allow for a maximum of 20 homes per two-acres.

“We just wanted to get a sense of, you know, what they would like to see with the tiny home community here in DeLand,” Graham said. “How would they like it to look and feel? And how can we ensure that it fits with our city?”

They also proposed building them near to downtown DeLand to give residents easier access to businesses and city services like transportation.

In the presentation, staff defined a “tiny home” as: A small-format residential structure built as part of a multi-family development with a minimum of 200 square feet to a maximum of 600 square feet under heat and air. Said structure is transportable in one or more sections on a temporary chassis or other conveyance device, and designed to be used on a permanent foundation system. The structure contains plumbing, heating, air conditioning, and an electrical system, meets all applicable Florida Building Code standards and meets all ADA and Fair Housing Act standards.

They also discussed the term “tiny home community” — which would be defined as a multi-family development of three or more tiny homes on a single lot or parcel.

“We’re trying to see if there're ways that we can provide an affordable solution for people who would like to own a home but maybe cannot afford a three- or four-bedroom home right now,” Graham said.

At the Monday City Commission meeting, Graham said there was a positive response from the community, including the Neighborhood Center of West Volusia and members of the First Presbyterian Church in DeLand, who say they are happy to see the conversation getting started.

“We at First Presbyterian Church in our tiny home little community team are extremely excited that it’s now been heard by the commissioners and seeing it a document,” church elder Kurt Backstrom said.

He said a church group already provides several services to help the homeless, from hygiene supplies to making sleeping mats to give away.

“And then we have several people that help out to keep it supplied,” he said. “And our church has done great with donations.”

Backstrom said the idea of tiny homes first came to him while sitting in the church garden talking to the pastor, after seeing the need for affordable housing.

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Name: Harper Hill

Town of residence: DeLand

Background, education, etc.: Stetson University, BBA in finance. Past President of the Rotary Club of DeLand. Past VP of the DeLand Area Chamber of Commerce. Currently serve on the board of directors for the Volusia/Flagler Family YMCA. Currently serve on the Planning Board for the City of DeLand. Business owner (insurance agency)

I have spent my professional career as an insurance agent at Harper Hill & Associates Inc. Allstate, where I’ve had the privilege of serving our community. While I may not have political experience, my commitment to our city and its success runs deep.

What made you decide to run for office? My top priorities as DeLand City Commission Seat 2 will be:

Representing our city and its residents with class and dignity.

Protecting our great city by encouraging and fostering responsible growth.

What do you want to accomplish in office? Ensuring taxpayer dollars are not wasted and focusing on lowering the tax burden on residents.

Why should people vote for you and not your opponent(s)? I am committed to working hard for you and ensuring our city continues to thrive. I am deeply invested in our community and want my kids to enjoy the city we do today. My current business experience and hands-on service to our community make me the best choice. Together, we can make DeLand an even better place to live, work, and raise a family. Thank you for your support!

How you will handle it when your personal views differ from what your constituents want? I think listening to others is one of the most important parts of being a commissioner and a good leader in general. Although I will certainly have personal views on items, representing the residents of our city would be my responsibility.

Taxation: As inflation has hit everyone’s budget very deep (including the city’s), ensuring taxpayer dollars are not wasted and focusing on lowering the tax burden is a priority.

Growth management: Protecting our great city by encouraging and fostering responsible growth. Overcrowding is something we need to avoid by proper planning.

Affordable housing: Although we certainly need more affordable housing, we also need to focus on bringing in high-wage industry to properly compensate our residents.

Development moratoriums: Development in our area is inevitable; pausing to make sure we are handling it responsibly could make sense. Residents participating in future planning is important.

Inclusivity: I feel DeLand is a very inclusive and diverse place to live. The arts and cultural aspects of the city also play a large part in our identity.

Public safety: As a husband and father, the safety of our neighborhoods and downtown is a top priority for me. Families need to feel safe walking, running and playing.

Home rule: I believe the more local decisions are made, the more our residents have a say in what our city looks like in the future. This should be a good thing.

Name: Richard Paiva

Background, education, etc.: I have lived in DeLand for 68 years. I graduated from St. Peter’s School, DeLand High School and the University of Central Florida. I had a 25-year career in marketing and advertising, which I retired from in 1999. I also started, purchased and operated three successful businesses, which I retired from four years ago.

What made you decide to run for office? Our family has been on the front lines of caring about others in DeLand — for three generations. When my son Charles, who has been a DeLand city commissioner since 2001, decided not to seek re-election, I decided to run. I care deeply about DeLand, and I want to accomplish important things for our citizens.

What do you want to accomplish in office? Make DeLand the safest city in Volusia County. Ensure that we continue to have an abundant and healthy supply of water. Preserve our small-town charm. Control development and growth. Help locally owned businesses succeed. Keep our taxes and fees as low as possible. And use city resources as wisely as possible.

Why should people vote for you and not your opponent(s)? Approximately 40% of DeLand is over 50 years old. We deserve a voice on the commission. All our current commissioners, however, are under 50. And my opponent is 43. I am also retired. My opponent is not. I can devote my full attention to serving our citizens. My opponent cannot.

How you will handle it when your personal views differ from what your constituents want? I plan to base my decisions on what is in the best interests of our citizens. I also plan to constantly interact with our citizens and local business owners. To actively seek out, and understand, their concerns and needs. There may be times, however, when the best decision goes against popular opinion.

Taxation: We all understand that DeLand requires revenue to provide services. That said, growth, and increasing property values, should result in a reduced tax burden.

Growth management: I want to control development and growth. DeLand is a great little city. With a high quality of life. It’s our responsibility to preserve that.

Affordable housing: DeLand has already modified some of its building codes and requirements, to make housing more affordable. I support creating additional strategies.

Development moratoriums: I believe that growth moratoriums may become necessary, if our ability to provide resources and services to our existing citizens nears our limits.

Inclusivity: DeLand has been, and should continue to be, tolerant and accepting of our differences. In whatever ways we are unique.

Public safety: Public safety will be my highest priority. My goal is to make DeLand the safest city in Volusia County.

Home rule: Home rule allows city leaders to make decisions locally. The state continues to reduce our ability to do that. We need to fight to retain that right.

What are you voting for? Find your sample ballot for the Aug. 2024 Primary HERE. Check your precinct HERE. Request a Vote-By-Mail ballot HERE: Register to vote HERE.

DELAND, Fla. — Construction is now underway on a new roundabout in DeLand, meant to reduce backups and crashes.

What You Need To Know

The Florida Department of Transportation just started work on a new two-lane roundabout at State Road 44 and Kepler Road.

Alex Heimsoth, whose family owns a nursery and landscaping business just down from the intersection on Kepler Road, said they try to stay clear of State Road 44 and Kepler Road as much as possible.

“In the afternoons, we pretty much avoid this side going anywhere this direction because we know we’re just going to wait at this light,” he said.

Looking at future traffic growth, FDOT found the roundabout could reduce evening backups by 90 seconds compared to keeping the intersection in its current configuration.

“(Roundabouts) can be good,” Heimsoth said. “They can help. From that other roundabout we have down the road there, it’s minimized the time we wait.”

Heimsoth is referring to the roundabout installed in 2022 at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Beltway and at Orange Camp Road.

“We do see more accidents on it than I would typically see at a light, but they’re typically just like slight fender benders here and there,” he said.

While there was an initial uptick, a city of DeLand spokesperson said as drivers got used to the roundabout, they now see fewer crashes. And as Heimsoth noted, very few are serious.

“Compared to signalized intersections, roundabouts reduce the likelihood of crashes resulting in severe injuries and fatalities by up to 82%,” said Cindi Lane, FDOT’s District 5 public information director. “The new roundabout at SR-44 and Kepler Road will also decrease the number of vehicle conflict points where crashes can occur, making the intersection safer for both motorists and pedestrians.”

Still, some drivers said they believe two roundabouts are two too many in this area of DeLand.

“I saw what happened at the other roundabout and I’m nervous about going through (the new roundabout),” said Brenda Cline, who works with Heimsoth at the nursery. “I probably will not go through it. I’ll find an alternative way home.”

Construction on the $8.5 million project is expected to be completed by Fall 2025.

There’s a public meeting regarding the new roundabout:

There’s also a virtual option. Click here to register.

DELAND, Fla. — When the DeLand SunRail station opens this summer, passengers might be surprised to know that they won’t be dropped off close to downtown.

What You Need To Know

“I’m a little anxious for how we’re going to get people four miles from the SunRail stop into our downtown,” said Wendy Caroen LaRocca, owner of The Anointed Olive in DeLand.

The SunRail stop at the current Amtrak station in DeLand has been planned for years, but the city and the MainStreet DeLand Association still haven’t figured out an affordable way to get people from the station to downtown.

“I would have thought this would have been part of the original SunRail plan, but I don’t know," Caroen LaRocca said. "Apparently it wasn’t thought through."

A Volusia County spokesman said the county won’t be running buses on a fixed route between downtown and the station.

“Will they be surprised when they get there and see there’s nothing around it? They will initially,” said Volusia County Chairman Jeff Brower, who is also the chairman of the Central Florida Commuter Rail Commission.

Brower said that while large-scale transportation won’t be offered right away, the officials are betting on the county’s rideshare program to get people from the station to downtown.

“I think with VoRide, at least initially, it solves that challenge,” said Bower. “And it actually makes it very convenient.”

VoRide is the county’s low-cost curb-to-curb rideshare initiative that only charges $2 a person per trip.

Just like Uber, people can request a ride through the VoRide app.

The Florida Department of Transportation is also betting the point-to-point minivan transportation service will suffice for the new SunRail station.

“Currently in use at the DeBary SunRail Station, riders can connect to points of interest in VoRide’s designated zone within DeLand, Orange City, Deltona and DeBary,” said FDOT District 5 public information director Cynthia Lane. “For trips outside the VoRide’s zone, riders will be connected to a Votran bus route to continue their trip.”

Caroen LaRocca said a trolley or bus would be a better option to carry more people than a four- or five-seat SUV or van.

“I think they’re going to have to have a better plan long term for bringing people into town,” she said.

For the city of DeLand and the MainStreet DeLand Association, it’s a waiting game to see what the SunRail ridership numbers are like before they seek the funding for something like a trolley.

Brower said cyclists will be in good shape when they get to the DeLand SunRail station, as Volusia County hopes to highlight a bike station and bike trails for passengers to explore.

DELAND, Fla. — For more than eight years, DeLand Pride has made it its mission to nurture professional and personal relationships among LGBTQ+ members and their allies, and now leaders at the nonprofit say they want to extend their impact beyond the city of DeLand.

What You Need To Know

Coming into downtown DeLand, the presence of DeLand Pride is something you notice right away — businesses show their support on windows and doors with the DeLand Pride Welcome sticker.

The sticker is a sign that members of the organization say represents diversity, inclusion, and respect for all members of the community.

“I've been with DeLand Pride since 2017 — DeLand Pride started in 2016,” Volusia Pride President Ann-Marie Willacker said as she walked into one of the businesses that supports the organization, Sidecar Market and Bar.

“We partner with them on a number of different events, and it's really great to be able to partner with our local businesses," Willacker said. "Not only does it help us support them, but they support us."

At the entrance and throughout Sidecar Market and Bar, customers can see the business' support for the pride community. Barista and bartender Katana McCallister has been working there for about a year and said it’s the best job she’s ever had.

“It’s a safe space for everyone," she said. "So, whenever folks come in here and they see the sign on our door, they know that they're going to be treated with respect. They're not going to be judged, and they're more likely to be surrounded by other people supporting the business who feel the same."

This year DeLand Pride is working to extend that support even more through a new organization called Volusia Pride. Willacker says DeLand Pride has two sister prides right now, Lake Helen Pride and Daytona Pride. By creating Volusia Pride to encompass all three groups, she said people would be able to find everything in one spot.

“Through Volusia Pride being kind of this umbrella organization for some of our smaller sister prides, it allows us to support them in some of the kind of administrative ways that can be really challenging for new organizations to get going,” Willacker said.

“We want to kind of bring all of the information together," she added. "So when, say, someone's on the internet searching for, you know, county pride resources, you know, they aren't going to five or six different websites."

Willacker said another important aspect of growing is that Volusia Pride will be to potentially replicate the support they have seen from businesses in DeLand across the entire county.

“When DeLand Pride first started, there was a team that went around, and they hung, we had 17 businesses in town that hung a pride flag during the month of June," she said. "That was the very first year, very first Pride Month that DeLand Pride was a thing."

Over the years, that grew to more than 100 businesses that show support by hanging flags during Pride Month. But after the month was over the flags would come down, which is why Willacker said the group decided to transition to something more permanent: pride stickers in the front doors and windows of businesses.

“They want customers to feel safe in their business," she said. "And so, if that little sticker and that commitment helps to create that, then most of the businesses around here are very supportive of that."

Willacker said Volusia Pride's goal is for those already living in Volusia County, or people looking to move there, to find it as a community where they will have the support they need to feel welcome.