The Planning & Zoning Commission recommended approval Oct. 9 for a special-use permit authorizing mini-farm operations on an 11.78-acre parcel at 7600 South Magnolia Avenue. The application, from Kevin and Barbara Marovich, seeks limited agricultural activities including up to a small number of large animals (options for three cows/horses or up to six goats/sheep), beekeeping, production of crops for family use and limited off-site sale of excess produce, and accessory structures.

Planning staff presented background that the parcel carries a rural land future land-use designation and is outside the urban growth boundary. Staff proposed conditions to reduce potential neighborhood impacts, including limiting animal numbers, forbidding commercial-scale activity on-site, required buffer plantings where vegetation is sparse, restricting waste-manure truck access to a specified roadway, and requiring site-plan and stormwater review because the property is within a primary springs protection zone.

Neighbors spoke both for and against. Several adjacent property owners said animals had historically been present on the land and supported the family-scale farm; others raised concerns about flooding, potential septic/well impacts, manure runoff and odors. County staff said they had met with the county sheriff’s agricultural unit, which advised numbers consistent with staff recommendations.

Commissioner Danny Gaikwad moved to recommend approval consistent with staff’s recommended conditions; Don Johnson seconded. The motion carried with one dissenting vote recorded. The item now moves to the Board of County Commissioners for final action.

Why it matters: The decision formalizes a transition in land use from residential zoning to an agricultural special use on a parcel in a rural springs-protection area and includes conditions designed to mitigate potential water-quality and nuisance risks.

Clarifying details: Staff noted the permit will require subsequent site-plan review and that the special-use permit will expire after three years if not utilized; renewals require staff verification of compliance.