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Zoning board approves special use permit for 12-acre pond and borrow area on Wawaka property owned by Floridian Holdings
Summary
Putnam County's Zoning Board approved a special use permit allowing a roughly 12-acre borrow area to be reclaimed as an artificial pond at 533 County Road 309 in Wawaka; approval is subject to reclamation security, hours limits, and DRC review; vote was 5-0.
The Putnam County Zoning Board of Adjustments approved a special use permit allowing Floridian Holdings LLC to expand and reclaim a borrow area as an approximately 12-acre artificial pond at 533 County Road 309 in Wawaka.
Michael Graves, Planning and Development Services, presented the application and said the parcel is approximately 94.59 acres with a split future land use of agriculture and rural reserve. Graves told the board the county's Land Development Code allows ponds larger than five acres and borrow areas over one-eighth of an acre in the Agriculture zoning district if a special use permit is approved.
Tim Mahoney, vice president of strategic partnerships for Bass Pro's hospitality division, identified himself as representing Floridian Holdings and described habitat restoration and conservation work tied to the property. Mahoney said the project began under an earlier approval for a roughly 7.5-acre pond and that the applicant sought the modification after deciding to create more natural shorelines and to move excess fill across County Road 309 to adjacent property owned by the applicant.
Staff recommended approval with conditions that include: compliance with LDC §45-169 and §45-165 where applicable; hours of excavation limited to 7 a.m.–6 p.m., Monday–Saturday; provision of a reclamation security equal to at least 10% of reclamation costs (cash, irrevocable letter of credit or bond) as determined by Public Works/DRC; DRC review and approval of final reclamation plans; and a prohibition on further dirt removal from the property without another special use permit and DRC review.
A resident, Benjamin Smith of Georgetown, asked whether future rezoning could allow uses such as a resort; staff explained rezoning would require a separate process and that future land use designations affect density. No members of the public spoke in opposition. The board approved Special Use Permit 25-000003 by roll call 5-0; staff reminded applicants of the 30-day appeal period.
The permit allows the applicant to complete reclamation and DRC review under the conditions set by the board before any future building or additional dirt removal would be allowed.
