Volusia County council members made an historic move Thursday, voting to make parts of the county’s beaches traffic-free.
Nearly 50 opponents pleaded with the council to keep Volusia County's beach driving intact, or at least let voters decide on any changes.
"Please don't take it away from us. Split the beach up into different sections," said Daytona Beach homeowner Miki Paderson.
The new ordinance would give developers a vehicle-free beach, if certain criteria are met, such as a substantial investment, a certain number of rooms, a four or five-star hotel and replace the number of cars they take off the beach by providing the same number or more parking spaces in off-beach parking.
So far the new ordinance would affect the Hard Rock Hotel from Lennox Avenue to Francis Terrace. It would also affect the old Desert Inn, expected to become a Westin hotel property, from Riverview Boulevard to University Boulevard.
"My business relies on these tourists and these tourists who support my business come for beach driving," said businessman Chris Rutledge.
The main opposition came from a group called "Let Volusia Vote," which is gathering petitions to put the issue on the ballot.
But county lawyers have repeatedly said that proposed charter amendment violates state law, which said only the county council can vote on ordinances governing beach driving.
In the end, council members voted 6-1. Only council member Joyce Cusack dissented.
But "Let Volusia Vote" said they will keep fighting the ordinance.
"We go back to the same thing we were doing yesterday, finishing our charter amendment petitions, delivering to the ballot, getting people certified and giving the people their vote," said Greg Gimbert.
Cars are not expected to be removed any time soon.
The Hard Rock hotel has yet to start construction and the old Desert Inn is in the process of being renovated, meaning we may not see a shortened length of the 17 miles of beach driving until 2016.