Ormond Beach Faces Legal Tangle Over Hunter’s Ridge Development

Issue #081

Author

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18 Jan

The city of Ormond Beach is embroiled in a legal dispute with U.S. Capital Alliance, the developer of Hunter’s Ridge, and Flagler County, stemming from a public records request and allegations of noncompliance with a development agreement. The records request by Hunter’s Ridge attorneys, seeking electronic documents, was met with a staggering $91,000 fee, a sum attorney Philip Crawford found unprecedented.

The city's lawsuit, initiated in October 2023, accuses the developer of not transferring conservation land and improperly granting a road easement to Flagler County. In response, Flagler County called for mediation, scheduled for February 6, after initial delays.

The records request involved a vast number of emails and documents, leading to the hefty research fee, which Crawford criticized as excessive. Meanwhile, Jake Beren from Hunters Ridge Acquisition and Development LLC expressed his willingness to resolve the conflict, questioning the city's approach, especially since utility permits were recently issued for a new subdivision.

The controversy also extends to the 40 Grade easement granted to Flagler County in 2017, which the city fears could lead to a future public road through conservation lands. However, Flagler County maintains that the easement was a responsible stewardship act, with no objections raised during the process.

Amidst these legal complexities, speculation arises about the city's interest in the conservation lands, linked to a planned well project. However, the city asserts that no wells are planned on the conservation land, with any future projects requiring approval from the SJRWMD.

As the mediation date nears, all parties, including the city, the developer, and Flagler County, hope for a resolution. Flagler County’s attorney criticizes the lawsuit as a waste of resources, emphasizing the county's peripheral role in the dispute. Beren remains open to an amicable solution, prioritizing resolution over legal victory.

Art Army Founder Perego Honored with Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award in Ormond Beach

Perego, the founder of Art Army, was awarded the President's Volunteer Service Lifetime Achievement Award in a ceremony at The Grind Gastropub & Kona Tiki Bar in Ormond Beach. The event was attended by about 125 people, including artists and friends. Perego, a prominent figure in the Daytona Beach art scene since 1991, was nominated by Khalilah Camacho-Ali, who highlighted the importance of volunteer service despite political differences.

The award recognizes individuals who have dedicated over 4,000 hours to volunteer service. Perego's Art Army, established in 1996, promotes art and creativity worldwide, encouraging the idea that everyone is an artist. The S.M.I.L.E. Foundation in Houston, part of the award's certifying body, endorsed Perego's selection.

At the ceremony, Camacho-Ali presented Perego with a letter, certificate from President Biden, and a presidential medal. Perego chose to receive the award in his community, reflecting his deep connection to local artists and the Art Army.

The celebration included a reception across three local restaurants featuring Perego's murals, live music, a community mural project, and speeches about the Art Army. Camacho-Ali sold signed copies of her autobiography, and Rich Harvey and Audrey Parente offered an anthology featuring Perego's illustrations.

Camacho-Ali lauded Perego's contributions, especially to youth, and another attendee shared how Perego's work inspired their realization of being an artist.

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