DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Volusia County Council held a meeting on Thursday afternoon to discuss the heated topic of beach driving. Some council members believe they're in between a hard rock and a hard place.
[VOTE: Should driving be allowed on beaches?]
"I don't think it's an issue but the Westin and Hard Rock do," said Councilman Josh Wagner.
Council members debated on how to please everyone and still make a profit. Some members argued that giving up a mile of beach free driving just for hotels isn't worth it in the long run.
"If the Hardrock Hotel doesn't make it as the great hotel that they are, and something happens and they have to scale down a little bit, well, then we've lost that part of that parking lot," said Jason Davis, County Chair.
Other council members fear that if the county doesn't give in, there might be no economic growth at all.
"The question is, is the 1600 ft important enough for you to where these projects don't happen," said Wagner.
Councilman Wagner also proposed an idea where he said both hotels and residents can win.
"Go to the state and transfer the 1400 ft to other locations bringing in, bringing in neutrality," he said.
An idea that also sat well with some council members.
"If we can adjust those, I'd like to see 17 miles of beach of continuous parking," said Davis.
Council members will now draw up an ordinance of beach driving and parking restrictions, and will revisit the issue in five weeks.