The Palm Coast City Council met on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, for a packed business workshop that covered several major issues affecting the growing Florida city. The meeting included heated debates over industrial development, discussions about state legislative priorities, and updates on millions of dollars in road and infrastructure projects.
Industrial Zoning Request Denied After Community Opposition
The most contentious issue of the day was a request to rezone 36 acres on Hard Grove Lane from light industrial to heavy industrial to allow for a concrete batch plant. SRM Concrete had requested the zoning change to build a facility that would produce concrete for local construction projects.
The applicant argued the plant would provide needed materials for the area’s growth and reduce costs by eliminating the need to transport concrete from Bunnell, about seven miles away. A representative for the company said they expected to capture 40-50% of the local market and promised the facility would be clean and well-maintained.
“We would anticipate getting 40 50% of the market,” said a company representative. “Our responsibility is to be competitive in the marketplace.”
However, the proposal faced strong opposition from existing business owners in the Hard Grove industrial area. Multiple speakers said the change would hurt their businesses and force some to relocate. The area currently houses about 150-200 workers across various light industrial businesses.
One business owner said, “We service one another. So when you come in there and you set up something like this and these people are saying we’re going to leave. We’re going to have to leave. We’re going to have to move. You’re breaking up a community.”
Concerns raised included increased truck traffic on roads not designed for heavy vehicles, potential dust and noise from the plant, and the precedent it would set for future heavy industrial development in the area. Several speakers worried about safety issues at the intersection of Hard Grove and US Route 1, which already experiences traffic problems.
Vice Mayor Teresa Pontieri initially made a motion to table the decision to allow for traffic studies and deed restrictions that would limit other heavy industrial uses on the property. However, she later withdrew that motion after hearing from business owners.
“Based on the criteria analysis and based on where we are right now, I would say that we need to not approve this application,” Pontieri said, citing concerns about compatibility with existing businesses and potential negative economic impacts.
The council ultimately voted unanimously to deny the rezoning request. However, they agreed to conduct a traffic study on Hard Grove for future planning purposes.
State Legislative Priorities Set for 2026
The council also approved their legislative priorities for the 2026 state session, focusing heavily on infrastructure and stormwater projects. The top priority is adding capacity to the stormwater system at Fire Station 23 and Burroughs Drive, which would help reduce flooding in nearby neighborhoods.
Laura Beamer from the Southern Group, the city’s lobbying firm, presented an overview of the 2025 legislative session. She noted that Palm Coast received about $5 million in state funding for wastewater projects, which were among the largest water infrastructure projects funded that year.
“These were two of the largest water projects in that budget silo. So we did very well,” Beamer said.
Other priorities include improvements to Old Kings Road, stormwater capacity projects in various neighborhoods, and funding for a new animal shelter in partnership with Flagler County. The council also added Fire Station 22 as a potential historic preservation project and supported policy positions on Senate Bill 180, which limits local government authority.
Council members emphasized the importance of resilience projects, as state representatives have indicated this will be a key focus area for funding.
Major Road Projects Moving Forward
The council approved several million-dollar road improvement contracts during the meeting. The largest project involves $6.9 million in safety improvements along Belle Terre Parkway, which will add right-turn lanes and extend left-turn lanes at eight intersections.
Another significant project is the $7 million resurfacing of Palm Coast Parkway between US Route 1 and Interstate 95. This work will include extending turn lanes at busy intersections like Pine Lakes Parkway, where traffic often backs up.
The city is also moving forward with the Matanzas Woods Parkway extension, a loop road project that will eventually connect to Palm Coast Parkway. Multiple phases of this project have received state funding totaling over $50 million.
“Our goal is by about this time next year, we’d have plans pretty close to being done for 2A and four, so we can have something to go out to bid,” said Carl Cote, the city’s stormwater engineering director.
Water Supply Planning Approved
The council gave first reading approval to updates to the city’s comprehensive plan that incorporate a 20-year water supply plan. The plan projects that Palm Coast will need to develop alternative water sources, including brackish groundwater, to meet growing demand.
Current projections show the city’s population growing from about 110,000 today to over 150,000 by 2040. The water supply plan identifies the need to drill new wells and potentially treat brackish water to supplement the current freshwater supply.
Some council members expressed concern about the city’s ability to handle growth, particularly given the approximately 19,000 housing units currently in the development pipeline.
“I just don’t want a staff member being asked the question well do we have capacity and they say with a chuckle and say well on paper,” said Mayor Michael Norris. “I want us to say yes this is true factual numbers that we have.”
Utility officials said the city has been successful in water conservation, saving 4.5 billion gallons over the past decade through reuse programs at the water treatment plants.
Other Business
The council also addressed several other items, including approval of nuisance abatement assessments totaling $113,000 and an agreement with Flagler County regarding airport protection zoning. They also made changes to building color regulations, allowing more flexibility in house colors while still maintaining some restrictions.
The meeting concluded with updates on various community issues, including traffic concerns at Imagine School and plans for improved coordination with county economic development efforts.
The next city council meeting is scheduled for early September, where several of these projects will continue to move through the approval process.
