The Gilchrist County Board of County Commissioners voted on two special use permits, denying one and accepting the other, in its first meeting of the new year.
The first SUP was applied for by Calvin Bryan.
Bryan was looking to start a vehicle repair shop at his home on SE 39th St. east of Trenton.
Bryan’s property is 3.02 acres, which less than the minimum five acres required the County’s land development code. The previous owners had been granted a variance as a non-conforming lot, but the land development code prohibits adding other using the property for other uses, nor does it allow for expansion.
On those grounds, County Attorney David Lang recommended the Board deny the application.
Bryan told the Board he was looking to work from home so he could be available for his son. He add that he has no employees.
“I’m willing to do whatever I need to be right,” Bryan said.
Bryan added that he had started on a privacy fence surrounding the shop.
Lang told the Board that their approval of the SUP could be challenged because it goes against their land development code.
Lang said Bryan could use the metal building he planned to use as a shop as long as it was used for residential purposes, such as storing a boat.
Commissioner Sharon Langford said the board had denied a dollar store under similar circumstances. Approving this SUP would give those applicants a reason to complain.
Angela Kern, Bryan’s neighbor, said her property sits high enough that the privacy fence would not matter.
Kern said she is also concerned about oil going into the ground, saying everyone that lives in the area is on well water.
Commissioner Kenrick Thomas moved to deny the request and Langford seconded the motion, saying the Board would “open up a can of worms” if it approved the SUP.
The Board voted unanimously to deny the SUP.
After the vote, Commissioner Darrell Smith asked County Administrator Bobby Crosby if there was something the County could do to help Bryan start his business.
Crosby said he would look into any possible grants.
The second SUP application was from Doug and Michelle Crawford for a tutoring cooperative to be housed in the former American Legion building next to the rodeo arena on 129 between Bell and Trenton.
Lang said a tutoring cooperative does not have an exact fit in the land development code, but it was similar enough to a daycare and club or lounge, which fall are allowed under the land development code.
Lang added that the land had also been used by the School Board, which set a precedent for the land to be used for educational services.
A driveway off of 129 already exists and has been approved by FDOT, but the applicants asked to use a private road at the rodeo arena for entry because it would be safer considering the traffic and speed limit where the driveway is.
The Crawfords will furnish the building and supplies and retired to teachers will rent rooms in which they will tutor students.
The property will maintain a cohesive look with the IFAS extension that is going in nearby.
The Crawfords will pay the County $75 a month for water until they install their own well.

Lang recommended that the Board approve this SUP.
Commissioner Sharon Langford moved to approve the SUP, and Commissioner Tommy Langford seconded the motion.
The Board approved the SUP by a 5-0 vote.
Also during Thursday’s meeting, the Board approved signing a mutual aid agreement with the state.
The agreement allows Gilchrist County to receive aid in emergency situations. It also allows Emergency Management Director Ralph Smith to assist other counties when necessary.
The state suggested Smith sign the document, which is typically signed the Board Chairman.
Since there is not a signature line dedicated to Emergency Management Director, Crosby said he would check with the state to see if they could just strike through “Chairman” or if they needed a new document.
Commissioner Tommy Langford said during his report that work had begun on the property where a Dollar General is supposed be built on 340 and 47.