Planning commission OKs rezoning at 2435 Daniel Cemetery Road to allow small parrots, limited poultry with conditions

The Walton County Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of a rezoning request for 6.63 acres at 2435 Daniel Cemetery Road to allow the owner to house and sell small pet parrots and limited poultry.

The applicant, Ego Mitrovic, told the commission he wanted the property rezoned “to raise small pet parrots and limited poultry,” and said the front of the property will retain a residential appearance and there would be no on-site customers or employees. Mitrovic said the birds are small species commonly sold in pet stores and that he is regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. “I am regulated by USDA. I would say my current inventory for USDA purposes is around 750 birds,” he told commissioners.

Neighbors raised concerns about noise, smell and unchecked growth if the use were allowed without limits. Resident Robert Connerly said, “My concern is twofold. One is the noise … and two, if approved, how is it regulated that if he has X number of birds today, we don't grow to X times 2 or 3 tomorrow?”

Commissioners discussed conditions that could address those concerns and asked staff about enforcement options. Planning staff said county code enforcement and any conditions attached to the rezoning recommendation would be the tools to verify compliance. The commission imposed conditions including the requested variance for structures close to the property line, a requirement that operations remain within the current bird species/type described by the applicant, and adherence to USDA limits noted by the applicant. Commissioner Tim moved approval with those conditions; the motion passed with one dissenting vote. The commission recorded one member, Wesley, as opposed. The recommendation proceeds to the Walton County Board of Commissioners for final action on April 1.

Background and context: Mitrovic showed updated site drawings and letters of support from adjacent neighbors (addresses provided during the meeting). He emphasized that the birds are housed in enclosed, sheltered enclosures and that breeding clutches are hand-raised indoors and sold off-site, producing temporary seasonal increases in counts during breeding months.

The commission and several residents noted that traffic review is not under the planning commission’s authority and that enforcement of any limits would fall to county code enforcement and the USDA where federal registration applies. The commission’s recommendation was limited to land-use approval and conditions attached to that recommendation.

The item will be reconsidered by the Walton County Board of Commissioners at its next meeting on April 1.