South Levy Equestrians Request “Zoning Friendly” Rules for Winter Visitor Violators

By Terry Witt – Spotlight Senior Reporter

Members of the Levy County equestrian community near Goethe State Forest asked Levy County Commissioners Tuesday to change zoning laws and legalize the practice of temporary winter visitors camping with their horses at the homes of friends, a practice one journalist likened to squatters.

Commissioners remained silent through the presentation of at least six retired ladies who touted the economic benefits of granting permits to season visitors with horses to spend several months or all winter riding in Goethe State Forest and falling in love with the forest’s beauty and charm. They said many of them eventually buy property and become taxpayers.

“The folks who stay for several months have become active in the community. They volunteer at local charities and food banks, provide EMS services and expertise as well as contributing to the preservation of Goethe State Forest through fundraising and other efforts,” said Jody Duggan. “All of the homeowners and guests we have spoken with want to follow zoning requirements and hope that the board will work with the Levy County Equestrians to make a zoning-friendly way for guests to visit for part or all of the winter season with their horses.”

Duggan said she hopes the county commission implements a program similar to what Marion County uses that gives equestrians a paid permit to park their camping vehicles at existing homes. She said the campers would follow existing zoning rules for campers with hookups to permanent residential water, electricity, and septic, or if necessary, manual removal of waste into an existing septic tank.

Some of the ladies called themselves yardbirds but didn’t explain what they meant. Commission Chairman Matt Brooks chuckled that he may have to add that word to his vocabulary because he knows about snowbirds – winter visitors from the northern states – but wasn’t familiar with yardbirds.

The board made no comment or decision on the request for a change in zoning laws.

A journalist seated in the audience, Jeff Hardison of HardinsonInk.com, spoke to commissioners as soon as a half dozen of the ladies were finished with their presentations, noting that he travels through Levy, Gilchrist, and Dixie counties, and the one thing he is seeing “not just in this county – is squatters.”

“If this county changes its current destination rules for RVs – which is recreational not residential vehicles – these people who are currently breaking the zoning laws, they won’t be breaking them,” he said.

Hardison said the practice of allowing zoning violations simply attracts more violators to the county. Other counties, like Dixie County, which grants similar permits for $300 is reviewing its rules because it’s finding that the practice attracts more violators.

“It’s your choice – planned growth – you can change it to go the way you want,” Hardison said.