It is critical that Ormond Beach growth is managed in a way that respects the serene lifestyle of our community. Instead of focusing on residential properties, we call on the city zoning board to instead prioritize community services such as infrastructure development, first responders, healthcare facilities and retail outlets — services that directly enhance our quality of life while retaining the charm of Ormond Beach.

My family moved to Ormond Beach seeking to escape the rampant growth of previous cities we lived in. What drew our family to this wonderful place was its well-preserved natural beauty, calm environment, and balanced lifestyle away from urban frenzy. The current pace of local residential developer growth threatens this delicate balance, potentially causing overcrowding in schools, increased traffic congestion and the destruction of our wonderful town's natural beauty.

Limiting residential growth doesn't mean stopping progress. BBC Research & Consulting in their article on 'The Costs of Growth and Benefits of Smart Growth Policies' mentioned that effective management of growth can actually increase property values, which will in turn raise city revenues, and  increases revenues per capita to local residents. This strategic direction offers a win-win situation where Ormond Beach not only retains its charm but also gains economically, and improves our overall quality of life.

We call on the Ormond Beach local zoning board to look this way ahead, and work towards halting the uncontrolled growth to protect Ormond Beach's valued character.  Please take action and sign the petition to preserve the essence of Ormond Beach that we all cherish so dearly.