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Commissioners approve small AG2-to-AG1 rezoning over neighbors’ objections about precedent and notice
Summary
The board approved a request to rezone a remaining parcel from AG2 to AG1 for estate planning despite neighbors saying they were not notified and arguing AG2 protects farmland; the motion passed 3–2 after debate about surrounding zoning and buffers.
The Santa Rosa County Board of County Commissioners voted 3–2 on Thursday to approve a rezoning request that moves one parcel from AG2 (one dwelling per 15 acres) to AG1 (one dwelling per 5 acres) to allow estate planning by landowner Joseph Corey.
Corey (speaker 11) told the board he and his family purchased several parcels and had previously received AG1 rezonings for three parcels; he asked the board to treat the final parcel the same so he could divide it for children and grandchildren. He said signage and notices were posted before the prior rezoning and that he did not intend immediate development — the request was for future estate planning.
Neighbors appearing in opposition said they were not notified about previous rezonings for adjacent parcels and urged the board to uphold AG2. Matt Smith (speaker 12), Adam Corey (speaker 13) and others described AG2 as a deliberate county designation to preserve agricultural land and open space; they warned that cumulative approvals could create a de facto shift in density across large tracts of formerly protected land. Speakers also raised infrastructure and emergency-response concerns for denser use.
Commissioners examined the mapping, wetland buffers and the proximity of other AG1 parcels nearby. Some members said they were sympathetic to the neighbors’ concerns about precedent but noted the applicant followed the application process. A motion to deny (moved by Commissioner Rau/speaker 5) failed 2–3. A subsequent motion to approve succeeded 3–2; the Chair (speaker 4) read the tally into the record.
The approval allows the parcel to be rezoned to AG1; the applicant will still need to follow subdivision and permitting rules if and when lots are created.
