Vision Statement

Revised April 17, 2006

The City of Port Orange is a progressive, model community that has a small town feeling. It is nationally recognized as a place where people feel at home and experience a sense of community and safety. Each area of the city has a distinct character. It includes a vibrant downtown, commercial areas, and waterfront and healthy, well-maintained residential areas. It is an increasingly diverse community with a vibrant civic, cultural and educational life that invites and engages people of all ages. Its economy provides well-paying jobs and a strong tax base.

Port Orange protects and enhances its shared natural and historic resources and provides excellent passive and active recreational activities for all age groups. It enjoys excellent schools and life long learning opportunities, health care and transportation, including transit. The City has an open, accessible and friendly government that communicates well with its citizens and supports them in reaching their goals, works effectively with its neighbors and the private and non-profit sectors, and provides a full range of high-quality services on a sound fiscal basis.

The Port Orange Vision will be achieved by emphasizing the following goals:

Education - To provide an environment of life long learning opportunities—not limited to traditional school settings; all aspects of the community will benefit from the resources and activities of education, including internet, pog-TV and other technology. Education will be the cornerstone of the Port Orange vision.
Community Character - To make Port Orange a progressive, exemplary community where residents are true participants in the creation of community pride, and that provides a safe, welcoming environment, cultural and historical richness, diverse activities, and has a hometown feel that is valued by all.
Growth and Development - Through sound planning and financial responsibility, and in conjunction with stewardship and enhancement of natural resources: manage growth and development opportunities and promote redevelopment to enhance the quality of life; retain and attract economic engines (businesses and well-paying jobs), including high technology; provide infra-structure; and meet the residential needs of citizens.
Natural Resources - To acquire, restore and protect natural systems, including renewable and non-renewable resources, with a special emphasis on water, and actively manage them as a public trust, sustainable in stewardship and for the use and enjoyment of our community.
City Services and Effective Government - To provide and maintain a stable, open, responsive and fiscally sound government, committed to achieving the community’s vision for its future; that provides easily accessible, technologically advanced, quality, cost effective services; works in partnerships with civic groups and other governments; and fosters active and involved citizenry.
Healthy Community - To provide a variety of outstanding healthcare and wellness services for the citizens of Port Orange with the focus being placed on a healthy community.

Goals

Goal 1: Education - To provide an environment of life long learning opportunities—not limited to traditional school settings; all aspects of the community will benefit from the resources and activities of education; education will be the cornerstone of the Port Orange vision.

Objective 1 - Provide quality pre-school opportunities.

Relocate the existing pre-school program from its current location on Halifax Drive to the expanded City Center Gym.

Enhance our State Funded Pre-School Program

Explore partnership opportunities that will provide additional pre-school opportunities for Port Orange residents.

Objective 2 - Develop partnerships that will provide high school students with skill based opportunities and education.

Examination of a charter school in construction management and construction trades.

Expand the existing partnerships that exist with the electrical contractors and the electricians union to train electricians.

Explore partnerships with the Volusia County School District and institutions of higher education for skill-based training.

Expand internship opportunities for students within the City of Port Orange.

Objective 3 - Expand after school opportunities for students.

Develop partnerships with community organizations such as the YMCA and PAL, to provide adequate after school activities, including after school child care for elementary and middle school students.

Continue to offer multi-site summer playground programs and activities that are neighborhood based and conveniently located to all residential neighborhoods.

Continue to partner with ArtHaus and similar organizations to develop arts education opportunities for students.

Develop and offer recreational opportunities for students regardless of age or ability.

Objective 4 - Support, develop and expand community based education programs.

Continue to offer the Civilian and Business Police Academy.

Continue to offer the Student Government Day Program for Spruce Creek High School and Atlantic High School.

Offer a full array of internships for students. These internships will include high school, college and post-graduate students.

Continue to partner with the schools and community groups in offering a wide range of Public Safety education programs.

Continue to develop and provide quality public education programs for community groups and homeowner associations.

Continue to train volunteers in emergency management techniques and Police and Fire programs. This includes CERT training as well as training of Volunteers in Police Services (VIPS).

Continue support of Leadership Training Programs offered by the Port Orange-South Daytona Chamber of Commerce.

Objective 5 - To provide comprehensive emergency management training.

Provide Disaster Training for Business Owners.

Provide Disaster Training Programs for Homeowners.

Participate in at least one county wide training exercise annually.

All City Department Heads and Selected City Employees attend FEMA approved training at least every two years.

All City employees will receive appropriate required FEMA training courses in order to allow the City to better respond and recover from natural and manmade disasters.

Annually review and update the City’s Emergency Management Plan.

Objective 6 - To partner with institutions of higher education to offer undergraduate and graduate degree programs and continuing education programs in Port Orange.

Continue to partner with Palmer College of Chiropractic-Florida.

Explore a partnership with Nova Southeastern University, which has a campus located in Port Orange.

Explore with DBCC and UCF-Daytona about offering classes in Port Orange.

Objective 7 - To develop a full array of community based education programs for Port Orange residents who desire to become members of City Boards and Commissions and City Council.

Promote programs that prepare citizens to serve on appointed Boards and Commissions as well as prepare to serve on City Council.

Provide and encourage learning opportunities for City Council members and Board and Commission members.

Objective 8 - Develop opportunities for the City Council to meet regularly with new residents, neighborhoods, businesses, and other groups so as to maintain direct contact with the residents of Port Orange and other governmental agencies and organizations.

Twice a year, hold a new residents meeting.

Three times a year, hold neighborhood meetings.

Once a year, meet with the Port Orange-South Daytona Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

Quarterly, meet with the Port Orange-South Daytona Chamber of Commerce Governmental Affairs and Economic Development Committee.

Annually, meet with the Student Government Associations of Atlantic High School and Spruce Creek High School.

Annually, meet with the Volusia County Council.

Annually, meet with the Volusia County School Board.

Annually, meet with New Smyrna Beach City Commission and the Edgewater City Council.

Annually, meet with the State Senator who represents Port Orange in the State Senate.

Annually, meet with the State Representatives who represent Port Orange in the State House of Representatives.

Annually, meet with the U.S. House of Representatives member who represents Port Orange in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Annually, meet with the U.S. Senate members who represent Port Orange in the U.S. Senate.

Annually, meet with the Daytona Beach Shores City Council.

Annually, meet with the Ponce Inlet Town Council.

Goal 2: Community Character - To make Port Orange a progressive, exemplary community where residents are true participants in the creation of community pride, and that provides a safe, welcoming environment, cultural and historical richness, diverse activities, and has a hometown feel that is valued by all.

Objective 1 - Develop entry features to the City and areas within the City. These features would be designed to reduce confusion.

Gateway Features

Way Finding Features

Objective 2 - Develop and increase multi-use facilities.

Use City-School Interlocal Agreements for facility use after school hours and during break periods.

Develop Fire and Rescue Stations 72 and 75 with Community Room Facilities.

Construct the Port Orange Gym Expansion so as to accommodate the Port Orange PAL Program and the Port Orange Pre-School Program.

Partner with Halifax Healthcare System to develop a state of the art health care clinic facility as part of Fire Station 75.

Partner with the Port Orange Y in the development of the 39-acre Park Facility located on Coraci Boulevard.

Partner with the Wood Haven CDD in developing recreational facilities located off South Williamson Boulevard.

Partner with the Port Orange Community Trust and Family Days to develop the Pavilion at City Center. The Pavilion would double as a hurricane shelter for City operations.

Partner with the Riverwalk Partnership to develop a publicly owned conference center in the Riverwalk area.

Partner with the Riverwalk Partnership to develop new facilities for the Port Orange-South Daytona Chamber of Commerce, the Port Orange Historical Trust, the Halifax Sports Fishing Club and ArtHaus.

Objective 3 - Organize a program of intergenerational activities.

Implement a Youth Advisory Council.

Objective 4 - Increase the number of cultural opportunities and offerings in Port Orange.

Objective 5 - Develop historic sites in Port Orange and place identifying markers on those sites.

Objective 6 - Review Land Use Regulations and Zoning Requirements that would allow elderly people to stay with families (mother-in-law apartments).

Objective 7 - Identify opportunities to promote ways to invest in youth and assist them in career counseling.

Promote mentoring of youth in the community.

Promote involvement in various educational offerings within the community such as SAW, Leadership Programs, Government Academies, and School Advisory Committees.

Provide youth internship opportunities for Port Orange students.

Objective 8 - Create an atmosphere whereby volunteers can use their expertise and knowledge to improve community life.

Goal 3: Growth and Development - Through sound planning and financial responsibility, and in conjunction with stewardship and enhancement of natural resources: manage growth and development opportunities and promote redevelopment to enhance the quality of life; retain and attract economic engines-businesses and well-paying jobs, including high technology; provide infra-structure; and meet the residential needs of citizens.

Objective 1 - Redevelop the Halifax River into a community asset.

Objective 2 - Accelerate the redevelopment of the Town Center (Riverwalk) area with completion of Phase 1 not later than 2010. Develop and implement a master plan, grounded in harmony and balance, for the redevelopment of the Town Center Redevelopment Area as a destination. The overall plan must have at least the following mixed-use components:

Residential of not more than 800 residential units

Commercial/Office/restaurant/retail of not less than 250,000 square feet.

River access to remain in the public domain

Parking

Streetscape on both Ridgewood and Dunlawton

Underground utilities

Stormwater management facilities

World Class Park and Recreation Facilities

Objective 3 - Develop design standards for corridors and special areas addressing a variety of needs, including those of older sections.

Implement Traffic Calming Plan along Halifax Drive.

Objective 4 - Develop an affordable housing initiative for Port Orange residents. The City recognizes there are at least three components of affordable housing. Those are: low to moderate income housing, work force housing, and then affordable housing that is expressed in terms of a percentage of market price housing.

Objective 5 - Encourage the development of job creation projects in Eastport.

By December 2007, the City will extend Eastport Parkway through to Commonwealth Boulevard.

Work with property owners to erect shell buildings in Eastport.

Objective 6 - Encourage the development of job creation projects in Planned Community 1 located west of I-95.

By June 2006, the City will acquire approximately 74 acres of property located on South Williamson Boulevard west of Interstate 95.

By December 2008, the City will complete construction of McGinnis Boulevard, the installation of all water, sewer, and reclaimed water lines, and necessary water retention areas on the 74-acre tract of land.

Encourage the development of 100,000 square feet of commercial development on the 74-acre parcel of land by January 2009.

Objective 7 - Target clean and environmentally friendly businesses and industries that will bring in high wage, value added jobs.

Objective 8 - Balance commercial/residential development and redevelopment.

Objective 9 - Working with the Port Orange-South Daytona Chamber of Commerce, the Business Development Partnership, and Volusia County Economic Development Department, develop efforts to partner with local businesses groups to expand existing businesses.

Objective 10 - Encourage the construction of building shells and market the shells to prospective business tenants.

Objective 11 - Every 5 years, the City Council and Planning Commission should review the Port Orange Land Development Code to determine whether it is still meeting and addressing the City’s quality objectives.

Objective 13 - Sustain, maintain, and enhance all sections of Port Orange through continued emphasis on sound land use planning, progressive land development regulations, and pro-active code enforcement.

Objective 14 - Ensure adequate right of way for main east-west and north-south transportation corridors and continue the City’s effort to enhance and beautify those transportation corridors.

Objective 15 - Port Orange is committed to quality development that includes but is not limited to aesthetics, landscaping, architectural standards, etc.

Goal 4: Natural Resources - To acquire, restore and protect natural systems, including renewable and non-renewable resources, with a special emphasis on water, and actively manage them as a public trust, sustainable, in stewardship and for the use and enjoyment of our community.

Objective 1 - Enhance habitat for wildlife in our park system and along the urban trail system.

Objective 2 - Develop Passive Parks throughout the City for the enjoyment of City residents. The City should continue to look at opportunities to develop City owned retention ponds into passive recreational areas.

Objective 3 - Look for opportunities to acquire properties in the Cambridge Basin that would allow the City to expand the Spruce Creek Road Recreation Facility.

Objective 4 - Look for opportunities to acquire properties in partnership with the Water Management District, Volusia County and the State of Florida along Spruce Creek, along the Halifax Canal, in the Rose Bay area, and in the Central Wellfield Areas.

Objective 5 - Partner with other local governments in developing future drinking water resources in order to adequately supply current and future populations. This includes working with partners to develop alternative water sources.

Objective 6 - Develop an integrated path system that allows pedestrian and non-motorized vehicle access to all areas of the City. Port Orange is committed to being a walkable, pedestrian oriented community that provides access and mobility for all segments of the population, including the mobility challenged.

Objective 7 - Explore ways of making stormwater into a usable resource rather than simply discharging into the Halifax River, Rose Bay, and Spruce Creek.

Working with the development community, the City will obtain easement rights to use stormwater from new stormwater ponds to augment the city’s reclaimed water system.

Working with other governmental entities, the City will look at ways to divert into water resources areas where it will be allowed to peculate.

Objective 8 - Provide additional non-motorized access to Spruce Creek. This includes providing areas where canoes and non-motorized boats can be launched.

Objective 9 - Look for opportunities to work with organizations, individuals, and groups to develop natural, cultural and historic sites and activities.

Objective 10 - Review existing tree preservation ordinances every 5 years to make sure they are achieving the preservation of trees and the tree canopy in Port Orange.

Objective 11 - Complete the clean up of Rose Bay.

Complete the retention ponds along the B-23 canal system.

Monitor the water being treated in the retention ponds to be sure that the water quality objectives are being met.

Host one event annually in the Harbor Oaks area that will emphasize the importance of keeping the Bay clean.

Dredge Rose Bay and remove the sediment from the Bay’s bottom.

Dredge the B-23 Canal from Rose Bay/U.S. 1. This includes re-establishing the sea walls or stabilized bank area along the canal.

Objective 12 - Annually, the City will participate and sponsor the Halifax River - Indian River Clean Up.

Objective 13 - Continue a pro-active approach to addressing stormwater quality and flooding issues.

Goal 5: City Services and Effective Government - To provide and maintain a stable, open, responsive and fiscally sound government, committed to achieving the community’s vision for its future; that provides easily accessible, technologically advanced, quality, cost effective services; works in partnerships with civic groups and other governments; and fosters active and involved citizenry.

Objective 1 - Explore, develop, and implement opportunities for inter-local Government agreements to provide more efficient, cost effective and uniform standards for services.

Objective 2 - Collaborate in code development amongst local entities in order to create a uniform set of standards.

Objective 3 - Enhance and improve provisions of city services through the improvements to the city website and pogTV.

Objective 4 - Create a clearinghouse for all city related information and special interest clubs and groups.

Objective 5 - Identify alternative revenue sources and analyze and update current revenue sources to meet future needs.

Objective 6 - Implement new impact fees, cost share agreements, and capital recovery agreements to fund capital improvement programs.

Revise Land Development Ordinance to provide for cost share and capital recovery agreements.

Objective 7 - Establish Special Assessment Districts, where appropriate, to construct capital improvements and to rehabilitate existing infra-structure.

Objective 8 - Port Orange, as part of the Riverwalk Development, will pursue developing a water taxi in conjunction with neighboring communities.

Objective 9 - Port Orange will work with other units of government in enhancing and expanding the existing transportation system to take into consideration the needs of elderly, special needs, youth, and businesses.

Objective 10 - Port Orange will construct and renovate existing facilities to meet the needs of the community as it approaches build out.

Relocate Fire Station 72 from its current location at Wiltshire and Trailwood to Spruce Creek and Central Park Boulevard.

Construct a New Police Department Facility and Emergency Operating Center on Clyde Morris Boulevard.

Construct Fire Station 75 west of I-95 and north of Taylor Road.

Relocate the Police Firing and Outdoor Training Range from its current location at Fire Station 72.

Renovate the existing Police Department Building on Dunlawton Avenue to be converted into City Offices.

Renovate Fire Station 73 to meet the operational needs of the Fire and Rescue Department.

Renovate the existing Port Orange Gym.

Construct a 39 acre park development on Coraci Boulevard.

Construct a 12 acre park development on Town West Boulevard.

Construct a 5 acre park development on South Williamson Boulevard north of Madeline.

Construct a 7 acre park development on Reed Canal Road near Atlantic High School.

Construct the Riverwalk Board Walk and Park.

Renovate the Green Center.

Expand and renovate City Hall. This includes additional parking facilities at City Center.

Consider acquiring additional land that may become available at City Center.

Objective 11 - Look for opportunities to expand the reclaimed water system into older sections of the community.

Objective 12 - Working with the private sector and other governmental entities, Port Orange will work to develop the 1-95 interchange at Pioneer Trail.

Objective 13 - Port Orange is committed to providing the residents with the highest quality public safety services.

Port Orange is committed to maintaining the lowest crime rate of any city within Volusia County.

Port Orange is committed to having the best ISO fire rating of any city within Volusia County.

Port Orange Police Department is committed to being both State and Nationally Accredited.

Port Orange is committed to providing fire, rescue and emergency medical services to the levels defined by the Center for Public Safety Excellence, Commission on Fire Accreditation International.

Port Orange is committed to providing the best in emergency medical services.

Port Orange will continue to provide flu shots for its residents.

Port Orange is committed to operating Advanced Life Support Engine Companies to guarantee residents receive the very best in medical attention when treated by Port Orange Fire and Rescue.

Objective 14 - Port Orange will develop and maintain a comprehensive emergency management plan to provide for preparation, response and recovery from a potential or actual disaster. The Port Orange approach will be an all hazards approach.

The City will strive to have all of its officials and employees meet the FEMA required NIMS certification standards by December 2007.

Port Orange will provide national, state and local leadership in developing regional integrated emergency management response and recovery teams.

Port Orange will encourage employee participation in FEMA provided training. Port Orange desires for its elected officials to avail themselves to the training opportunities offered by FEMA. Every two years, Department Heads and key employees should attend courses offered at the Emergency Management Institute.

Port Orange will develop and participate in interlocal emergency response and recovery team agreements with sister cities.

Objective 15 - Port Orange is committed to developing a natural disaster mitigation program. Port Orange will work with adjacent local governments in the development of a county-wide plan and the prioritization of projects to be funded if mitigation funds become available.

Objective 16 - Port Orange is committed to maintaining a strong financial position in order to be responsive to the needs of Port Orange residents. Port Orange is committed to maintaining an equity reserve in each operating fund of at least 15% of the appropriated budget. Annually, the City Council will review the equity positions to guarantee that they are remaining at or above the 15% level as established by Council policy.

Goal 6: Healthy Community - To provide a variety of outstanding healthcare and wellness services for the citizens of Port Orange with the focus being placed on a healthy community.

Objective 1 - Provide physical fitness opportunities through a variety of educational and recreational activities.

Objective 2 - Working with Halifax Hospital co-locate a clinic at Fire Station 75.

Objective 3 - Develop active recreational facilities at the 39 acre park project located on Coraci Boulevard west of South Williamson and north of Town West Boulevard.

Objective 4 - Working with partners, Port Orange is committed to developing a wellness program for Port Orange seniors.

Objective 5 - Port Orange is committed to developing programs that will encourage its employees to engage in healthy lifestyles.

Objective 6 - Port Orange is committed to working with hospitals and other medical professionals to recruit doctors and other healthcare professionals to the area.

Objective 7 - Working with other groups, Port Orange is committed to exploring senior day care programs.