Zoning board recommends conditional use for Bearing Fruit Community Church; neighbors raised noise and daycare concerns

The Santa Rosa County Zoning Board voted to recommend approval of a conditional-use permit to allow a place of worship on a rural-residential parcel at 5208 Persimmon Hollow Road.

Applicant Antonio Jackson told the board the church plans to convert an existing residence into a daycare operatorally tied to the church and to locate the worship building further back on the property. "We got these lots trying to build a couple houses for my daughters... we need this variance to do the buildings," Jackson said while explaining plans for a church campus (applicant’s description of property use appears in the staff packet).

Several neighbors opposed the request during public comment. Melinda Broom, whose property would back up to the church site, said she and other long-term residents prefer the agricultural character of the area and do not want increased noise, lighting or traffic. "It's agricultural for a reason... I don't want to see a daycare in the backyard," she said. Other commenters asked for clarification about whether the daycare would be a public commercial facility; staff clarified that an ancillary daycare operated by a church is allowed if it is not a commercial daycare open to the public.

Support also appeared on the record. Transportation and site‑capacity questions were discussed; staff and applicant estimated space for parking and said a site-plan review would set final parking, lighting and stormwater requirements.

Board member Aaron Williams moved to recommend approval. The board passed the recommendation by voice vote; staff reminded the applicant the matter would move to the Board of County Commissioners for a final decision and noted the next BOCC hearing date.

Votes at a glance • Case 202420 CU (Bearing Fruit Community Church): Board recommended conditional use allowing a place of worship with related ancillary uses; matter forwarded to BOCC for final action.