BY MARK J. CRAWFORD
Bradford County’s decision to reject a rezoning request could backfire if the landowner chooses to retaliate.
After hearing concerns from neighbors about drainage, flooding and property values, commissioners voted 3-2 to turndown Brightburn Properties’ request for the rural residential zoning category, which would have allowed for mobile homes on nearly 12 acres on Southwest County Road 100A (Edwards Road west of Starke).
Carey Zoltowski said if commissioners wouldn’t allow the installation of mobile homes, then he would opt for modular homes — which are allowed under the current residential, single-family category — the cheapest and ugliest modular homes he can find.
Resident Eric Nogel said the rezoning request was an attempt to make good a bad investment in low, flood prone property.
“It’s not our fault as homeowners not to want rental properties to go in next door to us,” he said, appealing to the board to protect the families who’ve lived there for years. He didn’t want mobile home renters as neighbors. “Generally, it’s not the type of people you want in your neighborhood,” he said. “It wouldn’t happen at the country club.”
Mark Mooneyhan said the area was once slated for an equestrian community, which would be a boon for the tax base. But that would never happen if the county allowed a trailer park to develop there.
The acreage up for rezoning wraps around Vincent Casale’s home, placing him in the middle of what ever Zoltowski had planned. He talked about the flooding that already takes place, made worse by the clearing of the land around him.
“I’m already under water. If they develop it any more, I’m going to be completely under water,” he said.
Real estate agent Justis Smith, representing Brightburn Properties, countered some of the comments that had been made, saying no one has mentioned rental properties and denying dirt will have to be hauled in before construction. The property is ready to be developed as is with single-family homes. The question is whether mobile homes will be allowed and the fairness of the exception made across the street when it was for a landowners’ family.
“We haven’t brought in reasons. That really shouldn’t be up to take on who’s family, who’s not. Whether they’re our buddies or not. That’s not what the board’s here to decide,” Smith said. “It’s what’s fair and impartial for what this gentleman is trying to accomplish. Whether we put in a home, whether we put in a mobile home, it’s not to be rented, it’s to be sold, and hopefully for someone’s residence. But what’s good for those should be good for these. It should be fair across the board. That’s all I needed to clear up.”
Even though she would like to ban mobile homes entirely, Commission Chairwoman Carolyn Spooner said the applicant met all the requirements for the rezoning and there was no basis to deny him, and Commissioner Kenny Thompson joined her on that side of the vote.
Commissioner Diane Andrews wanted to postpone a decision and allow both sides to communicate and discuss solutions, perhaps even the sale of the property. She voted with the majority, however, to deny the zoning change. Commissioner Chris Doughtery saw the potential for development as Mooneyhan had discussed could bring in additional revenue to support county services, and he, too, voted against it.
Commissioner Danny Riddick said the board could not place restrictions on the rezoning requiring brand new mobile homes instead of used homes. It was his motion to deny the application based on the potential negative impact to property values. He said if Zoltowski voluntarily opted for modular homes under his current zoning category instead of pursuing mobile homes, he would support returning the landowner’s rezoning application fees.
But that may have backfired When Zoltowski realized the majority would vote against him, he took the microphone.
“It will leave me no choice, but I will buy modulars and put them in there, which is a glorified trailer,” he said. “And they will be the cheapest looking ones I can purchase.”
Someone insulted Zoltowski as he left the microphone, and the commission voted to reject his application.
