Juan Garcia, a nearby resident, told the Kent County Board of Commissioners on Nov. 6 that the John Ball Zoo has not implemented amendments to its 10‑year master plan that were intended to expand green space and create a buffer zone between zoo parking and adjacent neighborhood areas.

Garcia said the 25‑ to 375‑foot buffer zone described in the amended plan had not been established as a planted berm and that a gravel road and compacted dirt area remain used for overflow parking during the zoo season. He said the promised additional green space "remains a compact dirt and gravel parking lot still used for overflow parking this year, including during times when the South Lot remain unfilled."

The speaker asserted that the master‑plan amendments required the zoo to turn green space to public use and said neighbors lack access to the promised amenities. He asked the board, as steward of county property leased to the zoo under the operating agreement, to hold the zoo accountable for appropriate use and maintenance of the leased land. Garcia provided printed materials to commissioners documenting his concerns.

No county action was taken during the meeting; the comment was recorded in the public record for board consideration.