Residents push Palm Bay to shield Happiness Horse Farm from fees, city agrees to explore options

Hundreds of residents and volunteers turned out to the council meeting to urge the City of Palm Bay to soften fees and enforcement actions they said threaten the survival of Happiness Horse Farm (also called Will’s Way), a nonprofit animal sanctuary and educational farm.

Why it matters: Farm volunteers, teachers and children described the sanctuary as a community education resource that hosts field trips, 4‑H clubs and volunteer hours. Speakers said recent code enforcement notices and a stormwater fee assessment have left the nonprofit facing what they called disproportionate expenses and a possible loss of access to the property.

What residents said: Emily Torlack, who identifies herself as a co‑founder and operator of Happiness Horse Farm, told council she has funded most of the operation out of pocket and described a threatened code enforcement action over a driveway installed decades ago. “We are being threatened by excessive stormwater fees and code enforcement that could force us to close our doors,” Torlack said. She told council the farm had been charged “$202,500 dollars” last year and “this year, our fee is $1,500 — far above the $50 most Palm Bay residents pay,” comments that she delivered in public testimony.

Other supporters described the farm’s education and therapeutic programs. Several speakers said the farm provides low‑cost or free programs to families and to youth who need court‑ordered community service hours. Children who ride at the farm also spoke about the educational value and personal impact of the site.

Staff response and council direction: Acting Public Works Director Christine Sullivan told the council staff had been notified of the driveway issue only hours before the meeting and that code enforcement had opened a case because a driveway permit could not be located. Sullivan said inspectors found asphalt millings and an unpermitted pipe; she described a path forward that would typically require a permit and, if necessary, a concrete apron to protect a drainage pipe. Interim City Manager Scott Morgan and council members said they would investigate whether the property qualified for a stormwater fee credit and whether county agricultural exemptions could be recognized within the city context.

Council action: Council members asked the city attorney to draft a narrow ordinance or option to address agricultural access and driveway issues on rural properties where public safety and drainage concerns can be addressed without heavy enforcement. Council also asked staff to look again at stormwater utility credits and to evaluate whether a revised credit or an administrative process could be applied retroactively in this case. The meeting record shows unanimous consensus among council members to direct staff and the city attorney to draft possible solutions; no immediate fee waivers or formal changes were adopted at the meeting.

What residents asked for next: Farm leaders asked staff to halt enforcement while the council’s request is taken up and to prepare recommendations on stormwater credits, possible financial relief, and a narrowly focused ordinance that would protect agricultural‑use driveways while preserving drainage and safety standards.

Speakers: The item drew dozens of speakers. Prominent speakers in the record include Emily Torlack (Happiness Horse Farm founder/operator), Christine Sullivan (Acting Public Works Director), interim City Manager Scott Morgan and multiple volunteers and residents who described program uses and fundraising needs.

Next steps: Staff will review the farm’s stormwater fee application and past credit submissions, review code enforcement history and provide the council and city attorney with options for an ordinance or administrative relief. Any ordinance or policy change will return to the council for public hearings.