Walton planners deny rezone request by Carlos R. Barahona to keep chickens and ponies

Walton County planning commissioners voted to deny a rezoning application by Carlos R. Barahona to change 3.90 acres at 2487 Johnson Road from R1 to A1 so he could keep personal outside animals including chickens and two ponies. Barahona, assisted by an interpreter, said the animals were for his children and that he was not selling them. He told the commission he would house birds in a coop and keep ponies for family use.

Neighbors testified to ongoing problems. Lawrence Bowman said there were more birds on the property than the applicant acknowledged and that bags of chicken feed end up in his yard; Ryan Nesbit said the situation has been ongoing and described prior noise complaints and code-enforcement reminders; Ralph Nesbit said the presence of many birds would reduce property values. Barahona replied that he had asked to be left in peace and disputed some neighbors' descriptions. "My only response was that I ask them to leave me in peace," the applicant said.

Commissioners noted county restrictions on roosters and the history of code-enforcement contacts. Chris Alexander moved to deny the rezoning request; Robert Post seconded and the motion carried unanimously. The denial leaves the property's zoning at R1; the applicant was told the commission found the neighborhood impacts and prior calls to code enforcement persuasive in reaching its decision.