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Wednesday, February 27, 2002 DeLand, county closer to Spring Hill dealBy MICHAEL HAUN | News-Journal Staff Writer DELAND — City and county leaders Tuesday night ironed out many of the wrinkles that had put an upcoming vote on Spring Hill annexation in limbo. DeLand City Manager Mike Abels said the results of a first-ever workshop between the City Commission and the Volusia County Council appears to have put a referendum to pull the beleaguered community into the city's limits back on track. Since it was a workshop, neither government body could take any official action. But County Council members indicated they would approve a resolution that gives the city the all-clear to perform a blight study, which is the first step in establishing a community redevelopment district. The council has the authority to approve such a district. And the city has long said it needs one to pay for improvements to roads and sewers in the Spring Hill area. The sticking point between the two government bodies has been the size of the redevelopment district. City leaders have said the entire annexation area, not just Spring Hill, should be a part of such a district. The city has proposed to annex land and neighborhoods east of Woodland Boulevard along with the Spring Hill community. County officials have worried their budget would be affected if more valuable lands to the east of Woodland were pulled off the property tax roll and placed in a community redevelopment district. "The annexation study area and the Spring Hill area have to work cooperatively to make it work," Abels said. The resolution, which garnered public support from County Council members Tuesday, calls for the blight study to examine the entire annexation area, not just Spring Hill. And that means that the boundaries of a future community redevelopment district would most likely follow those of the blight study, Abels said. The County Council tentatively scheduled a vote on the resolution March 7. "There were so many people talking about whether the city and the county could work on things," said County Councilman Dwight Lewis. "I think this shows we can work together when we have mutual interests." Once the resolution is approved, the city can hold an annexation referendum in eight weeks, Abels said. "It's good to see that we're taking a step in the right direction," said City Commissioner Willie Bright. "I'm very happy we were able to make this a reality and not just talk about it all the time." |
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