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Residents tell commission restrictive covenants bar kennel, urge legal action
Summary
Multiple residents told the Columbia County Planning Commission that recorded restrictive covenants for the Uchee Creek development permit residential use only and prohibit noxious trades; they urged the commission to recommend denial of the kennel rezoning and described prior successful enforcement actions in court.
Local homeowners urged the Columbia County Planning Commission to deny a rezoning request for a dog-boarding business, saying recorded covenants for the Uchee Creek development restrict lots to residential use and prohibit offensive activities. Ben Blevins read from the recorded declaration and argued the covenant language remains binding even if the county approves rezoning.
Blevins cited specific covenant provisions and a book/page reference in the recorded declaration and asked the commission to recommend denial. Another resident, Paula Bowyer, described a prior seven-year court effort to remove a commercial operation from a nearby lot and said that residents ‘‘won’’ that case; both speakers said they would pursue civil remedies if the neighborhood's covenants were threatened.
Commissioners responded that covenant disputes are typically civil matters to be resolved by property owners and courts rather than by the planning commission. Residents said enforcing the covenants would require coordinated legal action by tract owners, and the commission postponed the rezoning item to allow follow-up and documentation.
