In an emotionally charged press conference on Tuesday, Volusia County Council President Jeff Brower He called for a temporary nationwide moratorium on new development – but a fellow councilor described his actions as “political theatre”.

Brower’s push for greater control over development has intensified following widespread flooding in recent weeks. Hurricane Milton and it comes as his re-election bid against his rival draws to a close Randy Paint – which publishes its own growth management plan. The men have lashed out at each other in recent weeks over development and flood concerns.

Brower held a press conference Tuesday afternoon flanked by flood victims outside the Steven C. Henderson Judicial Center, formerly the Volusia County Courthouse Annex, in Daytona Beach.

The event also featured a counter-speech by 3rd District Councilman Danny Robins and was attended by At-Large Rep. Jake Johansson, Daytona Beach City Commissioner Stacy Cantu, Dye, various media outlets, a group of Brower supporters and others.

Brower said flooding issues in the county necessitated a temporary moratorium on new development. He wants to include the county’s municipalities in this moratorium and says the county has the authority to do so.

“I want us all to come together and get on the same side of the table, act morally responsibly, and respond to public demands for action. … It’s time to end the obstructionism that keeps everything from moving forward,” Brower said.

A 2022 memo from County Attorney Mike Dyer says the county cannot force cities and towns into moratoriums.

“The Charter gives municipalities targeted regulatory powers,” the declaration says. “A general district building moratorium within municipalities does not appear to be supported by the current Regulations. This will be a decision to be made by the elected governing bodies of the municipalities.”

Brower needs to get the support of other council members for the moratorium to go into effect, even if it’s just for the unincorporated district. He wants to set standards for any new developments that emerge.

His plan calls for, among other things, a ban on any drainage, fill or construction around wetlands; Restricting the felling of trees, requiring developers to follow low-impact development standards, and protecting and creating more green space in urban areas to store rainwater.

Brower also supports municipalities creating or updating stormwater management plans, finding new areas to capture stormwater, and applying for state and federal grants to repair already damaged homes.

Brower is trying to establish a forum with local government officials and others throughout the county to talk about what needs to be done.

“Let’s come up with the requirements, policies and practices that will really make a difference in Volusia County,” he said.

Robins, Dye responds; Cantu argues back and forth with Brower

During Brower’s speech, Cantu tried to ask Brower a question. Brower interrupted him, saying he was not a member of the media. This led to a back and forth exchange between the two; Cantu said Brower has never attended a Daytona Beach City Commission meeting since taking the podium and has never reached out to him or the mayor.

“Is this a campaign event? Otherwise you would have wanted to answer my questions. It’s a shame you don’t want to work with the city of Daytona Beach,” he said.

“I’m good friends with two of your commissioners,” Brower said.

Robins and Dye watched from the crowd as Brower spoke. After Brower finished speaking, Robins took Brower’s place at the microphone to respond. Dye followed this with his own speech.

Robins said the county does not have the authority to enact a countywide moratorium.

“We must move past the political theater and get results — not this divisive rhetoric, but pointing fingers and calling for unity in the next breath and playing the victim when we have struggling families who need our constant eye on the ball and our constant help,” she said.

Robins listed many things the county has done to address flooding concerns, including increasing stormwater and impact fees, increasing land protection and funding various projects.

“Friends, we are doing our best for you. These problems will not be ignored,” Robins said.

Dye, as he has repeatedly, criticized Brower’s leadership skills.

“I believe he cares. What I don’t believe is that he has the ability to do this because he hasn’t achieved it yet,” Dye said.

Chamber of Commerce ‘hesitant about moratorium’

Nancy Keefer, president and CEO of the Daytona Regional Chamber of Commerce, said the Daytona Regional Chamber in general is “hesitant about municipal moratoriums.” The chamber encourages local governments to work together to find a solution outside the moratorium.

“If you stop everything completely, you would be using an elephant to kill a flea,” he said.

‘We can’t live like this’

There’s a behind-the-scenes look at the suffering behind the tense debate between elected officials. Some Volusia County residents face a long road to recovery. Some attended Tuesday’s press conference and spoke to the media.

in Edgewater in SeptemberClaudia Adkins said she and her husband had to lift their 1 1/2-year-old son off the floor of their home to make sure he didn’t drown due to flooding. After Hurricane Milton, they missed days of work and had to spend $600 on pumps because the neighborhood behind them pumped sewage into the couple’s street and home.

“We can’t live like this. Our house is on the market and we’ve been told no one in the city of Edgewater will ever buy our house. Never,” Adkins said.

This article first appeared in The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Volusia County development moratorium proposed by the President