Sumter County approves rezoning and revokes church special-use permit after code violations

The Sumter County Board of County Commissioners approved a rezoning request for roughly 7.5 acres to permit one Class B mobile home and voted to revoke Special Use Permit S2021-0007 for a 60-seat church after county inspections uncovered code violations.

David Rodriguez, the county’s assistant planning manager, told commissioners staff recommended approval of ZON26-000007 to change approximately 7.5 acres from rural residential minimum 5 acres with conventional housing (RR-5C) to rural residential minimum 5 acres with optional housing (RR-5) so a single Class B mobile home could be sited. Rodriguez noted eight notices were sent to properties within 500 feet and the planning and zoning special master recommended approval. “Staff recommends approval,” he said.

James Wade, attorney for the applicant, said the move simply relocates an existing mobile home to comply with the code at the new placement and the applicant stood on staff’s recommendation. Commissioner Bogue moved to approve the rezoning; the board voted unanimously to adopt the staff recommendation.

On the separate quasi-judicial appeal, Rodriguez presented evidence supporting the planning division’s 04/10/2026 notice of intent to revoke S2021-0007 after a 02/17/2026 code-enforcement inspection found an RV being used as a residence, a semi-trailer used as a storage structure, and trash on the property. Rodriguez cited violations of the county land development code related to RVs as temporary residences and storage buildings and noted those structures were not included on the approved 2021 permit application or the 2022 site plan.

Stanley Borowski, representing the small Orthodox church, said the congregation had grown and that trash had been removed and screening plantings added. He requested permission to install additional screening and described the RV occupant as a monk who acts as a property manager. “We have worked to correct all of these situations,” Borowski said, adding that images and documentation were provided to staff.

Commissioners questioned whether the trailer’s long presence on the site constituted grandfathering and whether permit amendments should have captured the structures. County staff said the trailer and RV were not shown on the site plans or permit applications and therefore were not authorized uses under the special-use approvals. After discussion, a motion to revoke S2021-0007 was made, seconded and carried unanimously.

Next steps noted by staff included follow-up explanations after the meeting and that revocation details and any corrective measures would be handled as provided by county procedures.

Votes at a glance: ZON26-000007 (rezoning for 7.5 acres to permit one Class B mobile home) — motioned by Commissioner Bogue; approved unanimously. S2021-0007 (revocation of special-use permit for 60-seat church) — motioned and seconded; approved unanimously.

The board moved on to reports and routine business after the two land-use actions.