DeLAND, Fla. – VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. - A development just approved for 40 acres just outside of DeLand city limits has some residents worried about future traffic headaches.
The mixed-use project would bring over 100 townhomes, retail, and a grocery store to the corner of State Road 44 and Kepler Road.
“That traffic backs up daily. At least two miles in any direction,” said resident, Marvin Cook.
The residents told News 6 the traffic is already bad in the area making it hard to get around.
“It took me 20 minutes to get out going right on Kepler yesterday to go to the doctor and that was at 9:30,” said Sherron Cook.
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The Cooks live on a small, dirt road that runs between S.R. 44 and Kepler. They said they worry impatient drivers will start taking it as a shortcut to avoid the traffic when even more people will be in this area.
Rezoning for the project was approved by the county council on Feb. 20. The council members voted 4 to 3 for it, with some council members also worried about potential flooding problems new development could cause.
Council member David Santiago voted for it and said a grocery store is especially needed on that side of town.
“Certainly, there will be a traffic pressure on there but that’s being addressed,” he told News 6.
Santiago said he believes traffic changes will make a big difference — one being an extension to Beresford Avenue, and another will be a roundabout in the intersection.
“There will be some monies that the developer will have to pay that will be invested to improve the traffic flow in that area,” Santiago said.
An FDOT spokesperson told News 6 that the construction on the roundabout will start next month.
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