Walton County approves rezoning for parrot breeder with conditions after neighbor objections

Walton County commissioners approved a rezoning request for 2435 Daniel Cemetery Road on a motion after a public hearing and discussion, allowing the owner to breed and wholesale small parrots under specific conditions.

The applicant, Igor Mitrovic, asked the commission to rezone 6.63 acres from A1 (agricultural) to a use that would permit raising and selling pet parrots wholesale. “I am here tonight to request your approval for my rezoning from A1 to A, so that I can raise pet parrots, for sale for, to obtain a business license from the county,” Mitrovic said during his presentation, and he showed photographs and described climate-controlled housing for many of the birds.

The rezoning matter drew several neighboring residents to speak in opposition, citing noise, light, and water-quality concerns and alleging onsite trash and dead birds near a creek. Robert Connerly, a neighbor, said he had heard birds on his property and worried about property values. Matt Dietzel, who lives roughly 600 feet from the site, told the board he had observed up to 800 birds on-site and alleged animal…