By Michael Salerno
For Hometown News
SOUTH DAYTONA -- A rezoning change that will shut down a five-decade-old skating rink was approved by the City Council.
After passing the Land Development Review Board last month, council members unanimously agreed to approve Rink Properties' request to rezone its property at 1790 S. Nova Road, currently Skate City, from Volusia County General Commercial to South Daytona Business Heavy Commercial.
City staff said the property owner is interested in converting the Skate City building into a climate-controlled storage facility and developing outdoor storage for recreational vehicles on an adjacent vacant lot.
Community Development Director John Dillard said in a memo about the rezoning that the storage facilities fit the character of the business-heavy Nova Road corridor.
"Staff does not feel this proposed project is inconsistent with land use in the immediate area," Community Development Director John Dillard said in a memo about the rezoning.
City Manager Joseph Yarbrough said the rezoning changes what the property owner is allowed to build on his property. Climate controlled storage facilities and outdoor vehicle and boat storage facilities would not have been allowed under the previous zoning guidelines.
The subject property where the two storage facilities will be built is about 3.25 acres, with 513 feet of frontage on Nova Road, according to city documents. The building where Skate City currently sits was first built in 1973 and has been used as a skating rink since its completion.
With the rezoning approved by the council, the next step for property owner John Schnebly, who represents Rink Properties, is to submit a site plan for development. City staff would review the plans to ensure the project meets city code before they go to a vote.
But before Mr. Schnebly can move forward with an outdoor RV storage facility, there's another step that needs to take place. Mr. Dillard said that concept must go through the special exception process, requiring the owner's request to develop the facility to be formally approved by the Land Use Development Board and the City Council before it moves forward.
"Because outdoor storage is a rather sensitive issue, it's a special exception even for higher density zoning, so you will see it again," Mr. Dillard said.
One council member expressed mixed feelings about the proposed project.
Vice Mayor Nancy Long said although she feels the storage facilities would have positive impacts on the community, the skating rink would be missed.
"I hate to lose that old skating rink," Ms. Long said. "I think many of us had our kids there or even grew up skating there, but I guess we move on. I think this will fill a need in our city because I do hear people keep having problems with people asking where they can park their boats and their campers."