Vacant golf course in Volusia could become hundreds of homes

A vacant golf course in Ormond Beach will soon be transformed into a new housing development, despite concerns from nearby residents.The Tomoka Oaks Golf Course, which closed in 2016, has remained empty for nearly a decade. But after years of negotiations, the Ormond Beach City Commission approved a plan this week to build more than 250 homes on the property.Some neighbors say the project is too large for the area and worry about the impact on traffic.“We hoped it would be a small development. Like, 240 houses is a lot, and the traffic is going to be awful,” said resident Mary Herman.According to site plans, the proposed neighborhood would have only one entrance and exit, raising safety concerns for some who live nearby.“I really didn’t see a way of it being approved, because you’re going to have this one small street be the only way in and out for how many people and homes,” said Tyler Justice, who lives on Tomoka Oaks Road. “It just seems dangerous. It seems like a liability.”City records show a new traffic signal will need to be installed at Nova Road. Developers will also be required to modify the existing “diamond” intersection on Tomoka Oaks Road to allow emergency vehicles better access. Some residents oppose the changes.“And just change the way things have been,” Herman said.Others say the development would alter the character of the neighborhood.“We sought out this neighborhood because of what it is, because it’s different than anywhere else in Florida where you can go to new development,” Justice said. “Why do it here? Why do it in everyone’s backyard? It doesn’t make sense.”On the development’s website, developers say they have worked with city officials to create the best possible site plan and have gone “the extra mile” to reach an equitable compromise.Initially, they were proposing more than 270 homes, but they scaled back. We reached out to the developer’s attorney to ask how soon they plan to start construction, and we are still waiting to hear back. In a statement to WESH 2, a city commissioner who voted in favor of the development, said “I hear the residents, and I understand how deeply this impacts them,” said Lori Tolland. “This was an incredibly difficult decision. But given the legal position we’re in, denying this could have resulted in a far worse outcome for both this neighborhood and the city as a whole. My vote was about managing that risk responsibly while staying within our legal obligations.”

ORMOND BEACH, Fla. —

A vacant golf course in Ormond Beach will soon be transformed into a new housing development, despite concerns from nearby residents.

The Tomoka Oaks Golf Course, which closed in 2016, has remained empty for nearly a decade. But after years of negotiations, the Ormond Beach City Commission approved a plan this week to build more than 250 homes on the property.

Some neighbors say the project is too large for the area and worry about the impact on traffic.

“We hoped it would be a small development. Like, 240 houses is a lot, and the traffic is going to be awful,” said resident Mary Herman.

According to site plans, the proposed neighborhood would have only one entrance and exit, raising safety concerns for some who live nearby.

“I really didn’t see a way of it being approved, because you’re going to have this one small street be the only way in and out for how many people and homes,” said Tyler Justice, who lives on Tomoka Oaks Road. “It just seems dangerous. It seems like a liability.”

City records show a new traffic signal will need to be installed at Nova Road. Developers will also be required to modify the existing “diamond” intersection on Tomoka Oaks Road to allow emergency vehicles better access. Some residents oppose the changes.

“And just change the way things have been,” Herman said.

Others say the development would alter the character of the neighborhood.

“We sought out this neighborhood because of what it is, because it’s different than anywhere else in Florida where you can go to new development,” Justice said. “Why do it here? Why do it in everyone’s backyard? It doesn’t make sense.”

On the development’s website, developers say they have worked with city officials to create the best possible site plan and have gone “the extra mile” to reach an equitable compromise.

Initially, they were proposing more than 270 homes, but they scaled back.

We reached out to the developer’s attorney to ask how soon they plan to start construction, and we are still waiting to hear back.

In a statement to WESH 2, a city commissioner who voted in favor of the development, said

“I hear the residents, and I understand how deeply this impacts them,” said Lori Tolland. “This was an incredibly difficult decision. But given the legal position we’re in, denying this could have resulted in a far worse outcome for both this neighborhood and the city as a whole. My vote was about managing that risk responsibly while staying within our legal obligations.”