Volusia County Officials Concerned Over Effects of New Hurricane Response Legislation

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – A new piece of legislation is making its way to the governor for approval, potentially altering how both state and local agencies manage emergencies such as hurricanes.

This bill isn’t just about immediate responses; it also looks at how communities deal with problems caused by storms, such as flooding.

Some leaders in Volusia County are worried that this bill might have a big impact on their area, and not all of it is good.

The primary aim of SB 180 is to expedite assistance to those impacted by storms, striving to enhance emergency responses state-wide and offering aid to homeowners in terms of rebuilding and obtaining necessary permits.

However, there is a specific part of the bill that has raised concerns among local leaders in Volusia County.

“This measure prevents any immediate alteration of land use or zoning regulations following a hurricane,” explained Jeff Brower, the chair of the county council.

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Brower met with other leaders from Central Florida to discuss the potential effects of this bill. He explained that changes in land use, whether for agriculture or commercial purposes, could be affected.

One important section of the bill states that for one year after a hurricane, local governments cannot issue moratoriums or create any strict regulations regarding land development. This rule also applies retroactively to any changes made after storms since August, which is significant for Volusia County, as they have made several changes recently.

“Stormwater regulations we just passed have been tightened up. Even the low-impact development, even though it’s all voluntary, could be reversed,” Brower added.

Several cities, including Edgewater, have recently enacted moratoriums to address local issues. Edgewater’s mayor is also keeping a close eye on this new bill.

News 6 reached out to the senator who originally sponsored this bill to get his thoughts on these changes, but has not heard back yet.