City Council Approves Rezoning for 129 Acres at Portland Industrial Park

The Deltona Planning and Zoning Board convened on May 19, 2021, to discuss a significant rezoning proposal for a 129-acre site known as the Portland Industrial Park. The proposal seeks to change the zoning from industrial to industrial planned unit development, located along North Normandy Boulevard, adjacent to the new Amazon facility.

Ron Paradise from the Planning Development Services presented the ordinance, emphasizing the site's strategic location at the interchange of State Road 472 and Interstate 4. This area has been designated for intensive development aimed at fostering employment-oriented growth and commercial facilities. The proposed development is expected to include industrial and distribution-oriented uses, particularly a new high cube warehouse format, which is characterized by its automation and larger size, with some facilities potentially reaching 250,000 square feet.

The development plan anticipates a total of over 2 million square feet of gross floor area, with a traffic management strategy in place to handle the expected increase in vehicle trips. The project is capped at generating no more than 5,407 trips, including 848 heavy truck trips. This traffic management plan includes various measures such as access management techniques, right-of-way dedications, and off-site improvements to roadways affected by the development.

The board's discussions highlighted the importance of managing traffic, particularly heavy truck traffic, as part of the development agreement. The meeting underscored the city's commitment to balancing growth with infrastructure needs, ensuring that the Portland Industrial Park aligns with Deltona's long-term development goals. Further steps will involve detailed planning to mitigate traffic impacts and enhance roadway conditions in the surrounding area.