Zev Cohen & Associates, Inc.

BIG news at ZCA!!! In a bold move to reconnect with our roots, we’re ditching all digital tools and embracing the classics: 1. Hand-drawn blueprints on mylar paper 2. Slide rules for all calculations 3. Carrier pigeons for inter-office memos Our principals believe this return to tradition will “streamline processes” and “enhance creativity.” We can’t wait to present our first project: a 3D-printed slide rule! #ThrowbackEngineering #BackToTheFuture #AprilFools Note: We at ZCA have no actual plans to abandon modern technology; we love our gadgets! Happy foolin!

HuntonBrady spent yesterday afternoon in DeLand, Florida to celebrate the groundbreaking of the rebuilding of Stetson University's historic Hulley Tower. The restoration of the iconic tower will transform the campus gateway and will provide additional gathering space for students, visitors, and DeLand residents. Named for Stetson's second president, Hulley Tower served as a bell tower and mausoleum from 1934 until 2004. The upper part of the tower was dismantled in 2005 due to safety concerns over the structure after it was damaged during a hurricane. In 2023, Stetson University announced it would be reconstructing the tower to its original height of 116 feet and will include 52 new carillon bells, three of which are dedicated to the memory of students who lost their lives during a ski trip in Austria. Our team is honored to be a part of this important piece of Stetson's history, which is set to be completed later this year! BBM Structural | Zev Cohen & Associates, Inc. | CMTA, Inc. | R.J. Heisenbottle Architects, PA | Williams Company

What do you get when you take a group of highly competitive engineers, scientists, planners, landscape architects, etc. and put them on a mini-golf course? You get intense debates over the perfect putting angle, calculations of slope and friction, and, of course, some good old-fashioned trash talk! The ZCA team recently hit up Daytona’s PopStroke Entertainment Group for a team building event and let’s just say it didn’t take long for the “bonding” to turn into a full-on showdown! Teamwork makes the dream work, even when that dream is sinking a 12-foot putt!

We are thrilled to announce that Jake S. one of our Registered Landscape Architects, has been recognized as one of the Daytona Beach News Journal’s 40 Under 40 honorees for 2025! 🎉 This recognition highlights Jake’s outstanding contributions to his profession, our firm, and our community. From designing sustainable, inspiring spaces to being a committed member of several local organizations, Jake exemplifies leadership, passion, and dedication in all that he does. Beyond his professional achievements, Jake is also a valued friend, colleague, a dedicated father, and a community advocate—bringing a sense of balance, compassion, and integrity to every project and interaction. We are incredibly proud to have Jake on our team and look forward to seeing his continued growth and impact in Volusia County and beyond. Please join us in congratulating Jake on this well-deserved recognition! 🙌 #40Under40

Some updates regarding local government regulations…

It is always exciting to be a part of some of the "firsts" in Volusia County... The first Audi Dealership planned for Volusia County was approved by the City of Daytona Beach Planning Board with the help of ZCA's Director of Engineering, Haluk "Luke" Kilic, P.E.. Holler Classic Audi Daytona is planned between Interstate-95 and North Tomoka Farms Road. Great job, Luke! Daytona Planning Board excited by Audi and Sprouts projects | News | hometownnewsvolusia.com

ZCA had the honor to watch our friend Michael Sznapstajler receive the reigns as Chairperson of the Board of the Daytona Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Meeting last week. It was a great event and great catching up with some of our long time friends and colleagues!

Reflection from last week: I got to watch Zev Cohen & Associates, Inc.’s very own Mallory Brooks Tatum be inducted as a new Board member of Volusia County Association for Responsible Development (VCARD). Kristopher Rowley, P.E. was also honored as he was inducted to serve a leadership role as VCARD’s Vice Chair. I can’t tell you how proud I am of these two! We work really hard at ZCA to give our Team members opportunities to be successful and grow both personally and professionally. We’ve got a special bunch of people and it’s pretty cool when others get a glimpse of our talent. Special shout out to Dale Ketcham from Space Florida for his insight into Florida’s Space industry, Sam Owen’s for his Founder’s Legacy Award, and for Khalid Resheidat’s Distinguished Service Award! The room was full of community and industry leaders everywhere you looked.

Way to go Kris and Mal!

Happy New Year from ZCA! It’s January 2025 which means there are only 12 more months before the Clean Waterways Act becomes fully implemented by Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the Water Management Districts across Florida. The enhanced standards became effective in June 2024, but projects deemed complete by December 28, 2025 are exempt from the new criteria aimed to improve water quality across the state. What does this mean for your new project or development? As most of the waterways we discharge to in Volusia County are already categorized as Impaired Waters or Outstanding Florida Waters (Tomoka River, Spruce Creek, Halifax River, Indian River, etc.), not too much will change. Developments that discharge to these waterbodies have long been required to meet the minimum performance standards where post-development nutrient loading cannot exceed pre-development nutrient loading. Where we will see the biggest changes is when a development does not discharge to an impaired water or OFW or when a site gets redeveloped, that development will now be required to meet the pre-post requirement for nitrogen, phosphorus, and suspended solids. Redeveloped sites will have to take into account a reduction of up to 90% TP and 60% TN. This could result in a smaller development footprint and/or need for additional fill to accommodate larger dry retention or wet detention ponds. It may also necessitate the use of advanced filtration technologies such as media filters, chambers, or separators which could lead to higher development costs or reduced profits to meet the more stringent nutrient loading standards. In addition to the water quality requirements, there are now requirements to ensure that the stormwater systems are maintained in perpetuity. A detailed Operation and Maintenance Plan, cost estimate, and stormwater inspections completed by a Qualified Inspector will be required. As stormwater management policies evolve, ZCA is stepping up to meet the challenge through innovative engineering, technological design advances, and collaborative approaches to permitting. Together, we can build a future that prioritizes clean water, healthy ecosystems, and sustainable development.