Bradford County planning board denies Brightburn Properties rezoning after neighbor flooding concerns

BRADFORD COUNTY, Fla. — The Bradford County Planning & Zoning Board on Dec. 2, 2025 denied a Brightburn Properties rezoning request after residents described persistent flooding at nearby properties and questioned whether clearing and development would worsen drainage.

The application, filed as C25-10 (also referenced at the meeting as Z25-10), sought to amend the official zoning atlas and Bradford County Land Development Regulations to rezone parcel 04216-0-00100 from Residential Single-Family-1 (RSF-1) to Rural Residential (RR). Planning staff read the resolution and opened the item to public comment.

Several neighbors opposed the rezoning. Eric Noble said the parcel is "nothing but a swamp" and argued that the new owner should have known site conditions; he estimated it could take "another $20,000 just in dirt" ("50 loads of dirt per each parcel") to raise the land. Vincent Castle said clearing near his home has caused flooding, adding, "It's 2 foot underwater every time it rains." Kevin Tillman, whose property is adjacent, also described the parcel as "in the swamp." The remarks focused on drainage, potential changes to the natural flow of water, and impacts on property values.

Representing Brightburn Properties, real estate agent Nesta Smith told the board the applicant had completed a delineation survey and was not seeking rentals, saying, "No one's mentioned rentals. That's not even on the debate." Smith added that the owner was not asking to bring in dirt and that a builder could place a standard home without a zoning change in some circumstances.

Board members discussed competing concerns: several commissioners and members noted the county's interest in carefully managed growth and potential tax-base benefits from development, while others emphasized possible negative impacts on drainage and neighborhood character. Planning staff advised the board that the applicant had met the written criteria for the request and that staff had no paperwork-based justification to deny it.

After additional public comment — including a heated exchange in which a resident said she would place modular homes on the parcel if the board denied rezoning — Commissioner Redick moved to deny Z25-10; Commissioner Andrews seconded. The board signified its approval by voice ('aye'), denying the rezoning application.

Planning staff said, in light of the board's denial, there was no need to read the ordinance; the planning and zoning portion of the meeting then concluded. The county will record the decision in the official meeting minutes and follow up with any required administrative steps.

The denial leaves the property's zoning classification unchanged; any future request to develop the parcel would require compliance with existing RSF-1 standards or a new application to change those standards.