Here is a sample emailwhich you can copy and send to the following:
Subject: Opposition to the Creek Crossing Development (case PUD-25-001)
From: YOUR NAME HERE
Address: INSERT YOUR ADDRESS
Email addresses: SShams@volusia.org, planning@volusia.org, sashley@volusia.org, brower@volusia.org, drobins@volusia.org, CErvin@volusia.org
To: Scott Ashley, Interim Planning Manager
Stephen Shams, Planner III, Planning and Development Services
Jeff Brower, County Chair Volusia County Council
Clay Ervin, Volusia County Growth & Resource Management
Dear Scott Ashley, Stephen Shams, Jeff Brower, and Clay Ervin,
I write to express my strong opposition to the proposed Creek Crossing development, located between the Spruce Creek Fly-In and Quiet Place in the Country (Parcels #6236-00-00-0050 & #6236-00-00-0060). I urge you to deny approval of this project due to the severe flooding risks and infrastructure burdens it will impose on the surrounding communities, including my own.
As a resident of the Spruce Creek Fly-In community, I have firsthand experience with the devastating impacts of flooding caused by unnamed storms and hurricanes in recent years. These storms have inflicted significant damage on our neighborhood, including flooding of homes and commercial buildings, destruction of roads, extensive repairs to our main access bridge, and costly damage to a dam—burdens that our community is still struggling to repair.
The proposed development will further strain an already fragile drainage system by increasing impervious surface runoff and further restricting the natural outflow of water through Spruce Creek. The area is already highly susceptible to severe flooding, and any additional development will only exacerbate the problem, putting more homes, commercial properties, and infrastructure at risk. The hope that some detention ponds alone are effective in mitigating the flood damage to our community has been proven false here over an extended time period. The rapid loss of natural absorption area and restrictions to runoff have overwhelmed the ability of Spruce Creek and its tributaries serving as runoff avenues for our community to effectively disperse the water, especially when retention ponds are partially filled from high groundwater levels or other recent rains. The amount of rainfall needed to produce flood conditions in our communities is now significantly less than a decade or more ago, and an increase of flooding levels of only a few more inches will flood an additional significant number of homes and buildings which have never flooded previously in the 35 years or more since many of them were built.
Additionally, the proposed development is directly aligned with the runway of Spruce Creek Airport (7FL6), placing it beneath the flight path of tens of thousands of departing and landing aircraft operations annually. Aircraft, including light sport planes, private jets, helicopters, military trainers, and warbirds, frequently operate on approach and departure at altitudes between 150 and 300 feet overhead, often at maximum power during takeoff. Recognized as one of the busiest private airports in the world, 7FL6 is home to many hundreds of aircraft. The proximity of this development to such a high-traffic aviation environment presents significant concerns regarding noise, safety, and compatibility with residential use.
Approving this project would not only disregard the existing hardships faced by residents but would also create long-term consequences that will likely require further county resources to address.
I strongly urge the County to deny approval of this development and to prioritize responsible growth that does not come at the expense of community safety and sustainability. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,