NSB approves rezoning of 1,618-acre land where Deering Park is proposed

The New Smyrna Beach City Commission has approved a comprehensive plan amendment to rezone more than 1,600 acres for the proposed Deering Park Innovation Center. The change updates the land’s future use to Industrial Mixed-Use, allowing for a combination of business, residential, and recreational development, though the project itself still requires additional approvals. 

Plans for the site include an innovation-focused business park, commercial areas, housing, a regional sports complex, and public facilities. The development could bring over 2,000 residential units along with significant commercial space, with requirements in place to prioritize business development before additional housing is added. 

City officials and project representatives describe the amendment as an early planning step, with more detailed negotiations and design work still to come. The proposal has been framed as a way to expand the local economy and create jobs, particularly by increasing the city’s commercial tax base. 

City leaders emphasized that additional review processes will provide further opportunities for input and refinement as the project moves forward.