New Smyrna Beach Commission Votes “No” to Temporary Housing Facilities in Heavy Industrial Zoning District

Written by Anthony Bicy

Belden Communications News

On May 25th, an amendment for Ordinance No. 19-21, which appeared in past meetings, was brought to the New Smyrna Beach Commission. The amendment, if adopted, would modify the list of permitted uses in the I-2 Heavy Industrial Zoning District.

The amendment's goal was to provide temporary transitional housing facilities for individuals and families in New Smyrna Beach that have been displaced from their homes and need shelter.

The program would use temporary mobile-type housing units for residents.

Currently, there is a growing homeless problem in New Smyrna Beach, and the amendment was an attempt to mitigate the situation.

There was debate whether to push the ordinance to a later date or decline it outright because of the facility's proposed location.

“We’re working on a concept and feel we really need a plan and that we would look for a good place, if there is such a thing, to have such a facility. Unfortunately, Ordinance 8A would virtually lock down an entire town and remove it from consideration for a location,” Commissioner Kolody said, before public participation.

Due to reported crimes in the area, the Commission felt unsafe about the proposed location and declined the ordinance.

The City Commission did not specify when they would bring the ordinance up again at a later time.