The governments of both Palm Coast and Flagler County have taken actions to delay the development of a proposed fuel terminal within Palm Coast city limits, as public opposition to the project quickly grows. Prior to setting its sights on Palm Coast, Belvedere Terminals had attempted to secure a location in Ormond Beach which led to them being effectively run out of town.
The City of Palm Coast is assessing alternative locations to the one laid out, off of US-1 and Peavy Grade. This location would place it in immediate proximity to a water treatment plant, sparking concerns for the potential impact on city facilities and utilities should there be a spill at the fuel terminal.
Prior to Palm Coast’s newfound skepticism, the Flagler County Commission was preparing for a Monday discussion on a $10 million grant from the Florida state government to help facilitate the terminal’s construction. The grant expires on June 30th, 2026, buying the involved parties a bit of time to potentially reach a more agreeable location. It also stipulates that closing would need to happen within 180 days of the grant’s acceptance.
As they continue to consider their options, the City of Palm Coast submitted a request to the county to pull the item from their agenda. County Administrator Heidi Petito obliged the request, helping the county discuss the issue only once the City of Palm Coast’s plans are more clear moving forward.
Just days ago Palm Coast was touting the fuel terminal plans as an injection to the local economy and a valuable method of diversifying the tax base to relieve burden on residents. While these points haven’t been decisively refuted, many residents have spoken out to protest the plans out of concern for the city’s environmental well-being. Already a citizen petition started this week opposing the project has amassed almost two thousand signatures.
Glad they put the brakes on this. When I first heard about it, there were so many bad thoughts that came to mind about what a bad idea this was. The main thing the council needs to stop looking at is the revenue in taxes and focus strictly on the safety of everyone in Flagler Country. I mean with what they want, what could go wrong? Gas leak, train derailment, fire leading to explosion, people getting sick in the immediate area and possible dying.(that’s a bigger payout from only one law suit then the 88K brought in from the taxes. Besides, it’s a start up company who doesn’t know jack as to what their doing. Ormond Beach kicked them to the curb, so now Palm Coast should do the same. IMO a gas depot doesn’t need to be in any small city on the coast and that’s what this new company wants because it won’t cost them as much like in a larger city like Jax.
Everyone needs to continue to express their outrage as to stop this from EVER coming here. PERIOD!