2/16/1988 - Laserfiche WebLink

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pr- FEB 16 6ci BOOK 70 P;, F 854 Planner DeBlois reported that the debris from the clearing of the pines was left on the site for some time and there were concerns expressed about that being a habitat for rats and snakes. They did remove the debris, but then they apparently decided to clear the entire buffer strip between the subdivision and the citrus groves to maximize their grove space and subse- quently planted an additional row of citrus trees. Chairman Scurlock noted that this is an agricultural use, but it is not zoned agricultural, and he wished to know if it were zoned agricultural whether they would have been able to clear the land and plant the trees. Planner DeBlois advised that if it were zoned agricultural presently they would be exempt from needing the permits. Commissioner Eggert stated that she has a basic disagreement with the Planning Department on this matter. She and Nurseryman John Tippin both were sitting on the P&Z Board when this came up, and the way they talked about it took into consideration not only whether the property was zoned agricultural but also if it was "green belted" - i.e., if it was used agricultural. Many nurseries in this town are half commercial and half residential, but they are "green belted" and that was the business regardless of the zoning is how they look at it. Chairman Scurlock felt we have a conflict here. We have been trying to maintain land as an agricultural use as long as he can remember, and here is a man who has an on-going citrus operation, has no desire to turn it into development at 6 upa, and, in fact, has just planted 250 trees. He believed this situation is catching people in between - we want them to remain agricultural but we don't really let them conduct their business because of this little quirk. Commissioner Bird asked who requested the rezoning when it went to RS -6, and Director Keating reported that the residential zoning has been in place for some 20 years or so. 36