PALM COAST, Fla. – A proposed fuel terminal that stirred controversy in Ormond Beach is now relocating to Flagler County.
Belvedere Terminals is proposing a $75 million fuel storage facility for Palm Coast, situated off Peavey Grade and U.S. 1, near one of the city’s wastewater treatment plants.
The new site spans nearly 80 acres, located behind the wastewater treatment plant, with access to a railroad that Belvedere would utilize for operations. However, there are still a lot of steps that need to be taken before the project receives official approval.
Residents in Ormond Beach, who fought against the terminal’s original location, said they believe this is a victory.
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“It is extremely relieving. We’ve been fighting for this for one and a half years now. Our community has really stepped up and advocated for our wellbeing, our safety,” said Elena Kraft, an Ormond Beach resident.
Over the past two years, Volusia County residents opposed Belvedere’s plans to build on its initially proposed site off Hull Road in Ormond Beach. Concerns centered around the storage of fuel and increased truck traffic near homes, a sports complex, and local businesses.
In response, Volusia County leaders secured $10 million from the state to incentivize Belvedere to relocate its project to another site within Volusia, Flagler, or Brevard counties.
“The residents of Ormond Beach said we don’t care what the tax revenue is from this facility in our county; it’s a danger to not only the residents who live here but our environment, and we said no,” said Robin Magleora, another Ormond Beach resident.
Belvedere’s CEO stated that the company looked north to Flagler County, specifically Palm Coast, to find this new site, which is already zoned for industrial use.
The CFO shared with News 6 that the facility would store 300,000 barrels of gasoline and diesel. Instead of transporting fuel by ship and truck, CFO Tim Schwarz emphasized that using trains is a more efficient and safer method to deliver gasoline to Florida residents. He noted that the company is investing $500 million into terminals in Jacksonville, Palm Coast, and Fort Pierce.
“The property currently pays about $7,000 a year in taxes to the community. We’ll be paying over $800,000. So the investment that we’re making here is substantial,” said Schwarz.
Schwarz also assured that numerous safety mechanisms are in place to prevent major accidents.
In a worst-case scenario, such as an explosion, he stated, “The fact is: a blast like that, the damage would not leave our property.”
Despite the progress, there are still many permitting processes, site plans, and agreements needed from the county to lease the property to Belvedere before the project can move forward.
Flagler County officials told News 6 they will address the media to share their thoughts on the matter on Monday.
