DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — City leaders of Daytona Beach listened to the cries of citizens Wednesday night for and against beach driving as the city considered whether to recommend a plan to limit the practice.
Drivers can only take cars onto a 17-mile stretch, but county leaders want to know if the city will support a compromise to make it smaller to draw more developers.
Leaders voted against the plan, but it will ultimately be up to county leaders.
Wednesday's vote at City Hall was only a referendum supporting the removal of beach driving along the core area north and south of the Daytona Beach pier.
But the referendum says new restrictions on beach driving must include more permanent beach access and parking.
Photos: Driving on Daytona Beach
Leaders were still discussing the issues at 9:30 p.m.
“The beach is not broke. Don’t fix it,” resident Marty Zimmerman told leaders.
Commissioners listened to a long line of citizens offering arguments for and against their right to beach access.
“This is the most unique beach there is and I don’t want to see you change it,” said an unidentified resident.
Many urged the city to vote against recommending a resolution to give developers the option to request vehicle-free access beaches.
“Driving on the beach is a county problem, not a Daytona Beach problem,” said Daytona Beach Shores Mayor Harry Jennings.
Members of the political action committee Let Volusia Vote want the city to agree this issue belongs on a ballot to be decided by citizens, not by a city or county council.
If approved, the ordinance would only show county leaders that the city backs such a plan.
On Thursday, Volusia County leaders will discuss the beach driving restriction.
WFTV
