Pool maker in DeLeon Springs agrees to leave county site to end odor controversy

A manufacturer of fiberglass pools has agreed to leave its Volusia County location to avoid facing fines and a legal battle over a powerful odor emanating from the business.

Representatives for Rainforest Pools -N- Composites appeared before the county code enforcement board this month. It unanimously agreed to start fining the business $250 daily starting July 20 to give the firm time to leave.

Steve Young and his wife are among the residents along a dirt road that runs next to the business.

Young complained about a strong smell repeatedly coming from the business, and the county investigated. The odor made it hard to breathe at times, limited the couple's activities, and prompted health concerns such as his wife's headaches, he said.

'Fighting for the air you breathe'

"When I built my house in 1988, okay, if someone would have told me that in 2023, you're going to be in court fighting for the very air that you breathe at your house … I wouldn't have built my house there," Young told the county board.

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The business is operating in an area zoned "light industrial." The work shouldn't emit nuisance odors beyond the property and should be done inside of a building. County officials said found multiple "noxious odors" coming from the property.

Rainforest Pools is one of the businesses at 5797 Lake Winona Road in DeLeon Springs. Their pool manufacturing process includes applying resin and gel coating to pool molds, according to Florida Department of Environmental Protection documents.

Odor makes county council chair's wife sick

Volusia County Council Chair Jeff Brower lives in the area. At a Volusia County Council meeting, he said that the odor made his wife sick. He said he visited the Youngs' house and could only manage to stay for 15 minutes.

"I couldn't stay there. My eyes watered. My skin burnt. I started sneezing. I just needed to get out," he said.

The county noticed violations in February and March. The business has worked to reduce the smell, including making sure pools aren't moved outside until they're finished, business co-founder Rick Ashley said at the initial code enforcement board hearing in March.

Ashley told the board he wasn't aware of the county's zoning code prohibition against odor escaping the property.

"I would like to apologize to all the neighbors," Ashley said. "We never meant to cause any harm to anyone."

The DEP said in March via email that the facility has all required air permits to operate, and the facility has passed unannounced inspections for "state rules for reinforced polyester resin manufacturing."

Brower questioned the findings.

Health concerns are 'blown up'

The News-Journal asked J. Michael Shea, attorney for the business, his thoughts about health concerns from the odors.

"I think their health concerns are blown up," he said.

But, he said leaving is a better business decision than facing potentially costly litigation.

Shea told the Code Enforcement Board that the county is selectively enforcing its rules because there are other pool manufacturers, as well as boat manufacturers with a similar process, that are not in compliance with the code.

"Somebody has caught us running a stop sign," Shea said. "I'm saying, 'Get your policemen out there and get all the guys running that stop sign.'"

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: DeLeon Springs pool builder to leave town to end odor fight