Residents in one Volusia County community say they had no idea city officials were planning to put a sewage treatment plant in their Deltona neighborhood until they got a letter in the mail over the weekend.
Now, a group of angry homeowners says they are going to fight the plant proposal.
Michael Sikes says he always knew someone would eventually build on the wooded area across the street from his home, but he never imagined it could become a sewage treatment plant.
"Property values going down, the odor, the traffic," Sikes said, listing his concerns.
Deltona city leaders could soon approve the proposed sewage plant, which would be built along Lake Sidney, not far from the intersection of Normandy Boulevard and Fort Smith Boulevard.
This map shows the location of the proposed sewage plant.
The facility would serve a proposed neighborhood of about 80 homes, to be called Lake Sidney Shores.
Residents who already live near the proposed plant site went door-to-door Monday, making sure their neighbors were aware of the city's plans.
"They only gave us three weeks to prepare for this, and we're going to try to organize people together to fight this," said homeowner Chris Federlin.
The zoning proposal states the sewage treatment plant will sit at least 50 feet back from the edge of the property in question. The proposal also promises to put up walls or trees to block the plant from view, adding states steps will be taken to prevent an odor for the surrounding area.
But homeowners are still worried.
"I'm six months pregnant," said one homeowner, who asked to remain anonymous. "It's pretty scary to think that my daughter is going to grow up with a sewage plant in the backyard, and is going to be safe."
When we reached out to Deltona city officials for comment Monday, they said any residents who are concerned about the proposed treatment facility should attend upcoming scheduled public meetings:
- Deltona Planning and Zoning Board Hearing: April 15 at 7 p.m.
- Deltona City Commission Hearing: May 4 at 6:30 p.m.
