VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – DeLand residents are pushing back against a proposed truck plaza that could bring dozens of semi-trucks to a busy stretch near Interstate 4 and State Route 44.
The travel center would be built on a plot of land just east of I-4, behind an existing BP gas station and near the old Budget Inn Motel. Plans call for gas pumps, restaurants, restrooms, a convenience store and space for truck drivers to stop and rest. The exact number of semi-truck parking spots has not been finalized, but News 6 was told there would be several dozen, along with additional spaces for passenger vehicles.
Nearby residents say the area struggles to handle current traffic volumes — let alone an influx of large commercial trucks.
“In the morning going towards I-4 and in the evening coming from I-4, it’s backed up for potentially a mile of traffic,” said resident Greg Rencsak.
Neighbor Gail Grenzig said the congestion has already led to dangerous situations.
“In the last two weeks there has been four major traffic incidents in this area,” Grenzig said.
Residents near the proposed site — particularly those in a 55-and-older community adjacent to the property — have raised multiple concerns beyond traffic congestion. Noise and an already-strained road network top the list.
“They’re proposing to put this on land that’s in a designated FEMA flood zone,” said resident David Fruchter.
Fruchter and his neighbors have even formed a group to fight the proposal. Rencsak said air quality and light pollution are also serious worries.
“The prevailing winds are going to blow right over this neighborhood so if you’ve got trucks idling all night long, all of the diesel exhaust is going to come right our way, you’ve got light pollution, they’re talking about putting signage up,” Rencsak said.
Florida’s Department of Transportation has acknowledged a truck stop shortage throughout Central Florida. Just east of S.R. 44, FDOT plans to build two truck stops off I-4, with construction set to begin this summer. One will be on the eastbound lanes with 275 parking spots; the other on the westbound side with 265 spots.
“If those are already being done then I don’t know why they have to choose this spot to put another one in there,” said resident Bob Schmidt.
The land in question sits in unincorporated Volusia County but borders DeLand. The city has formally weighed in, sending a letter to the county opposing the project.
“I don’t want to be somebody that says not in my backyard. That’s selfish and I don’t want to be like that. There is a need for a truck stop but I believe they really could find a better location,” Schmidt said.
The company behind the proposed truck plaza has submitted an application to Volusia County. A county spokesperson said the application is currently under staff review. From there, it will go to the county’s Planning Commission for a vote before moving on to the county council.