West Boynton Ranches has been working hard in 2021 complying in good faith with a Magistrate’s order to bring our agricultural conservation and residential properties into county compliance. In a short period of time, we’ve made great progress in obtaining the following approvals and permits:
- Demolition Permit Complete
- Metal Barn Complete
- Dock Pile Removal Complete
- Flood Plain Review in Process
- Type 1 Waiver In-Process
- Excavation Permit In-Process
Over the last few months, our fishpond has been stocked with Tilapia and Channel Catfish in preparation of our first harvest this fall. In addition, assuming the county officials will permit it, West Boynton Ranches plans further improvements to the aquaculture facility based on input from our aquaculture consultants.
We’ve also complied by removing the pilings that had been installed for a dock, even though the dock is necessary for the agricultural fishpond.
Further to the Magistrate’s rulings, West Boynton Ranches has honed its aquaculture operations in accordance with Best Management Practices. The fishpond has been stocked with Tilapia and Channel Catfish in preparation of our first harvest this fall. In addition, assuming the County will permit it, West Boynton Ranches plans further improvements to the aquaculture facility based on input from our aquaculture consultants.
There’s still more work to be accomplished to achieve compliance. Unfortunately, the Magistrate’s deadlines and the time provided by county staff to obtain the approvals and permits, necessary to comply, are contradictory. For example, we understood the county’s chief planner, who testified at the Magistrate’s hearing, that it would take two years or 730 days before we could complete the permitting to change the agricultural use from row crops to aquaculture. However, in the Magistrate’s orders, we were given from 90 to 270 days to obtain the necessary approvals or face a $1,000 per day fine thereafter.
This potential exposure to extraordinary fines resulted in our lawyer recommending that we file a motion with the hope that the Magistrate would provide us with more time to correct the violations before these fines are assessed. He rejected our motion, whereupon our lawyer advised us that our only alternative would be to file a Notice of Appeal to preserve our opportunity to obtain more time to comply.
Although we had hoped that filing the Notice of Appeal could have been avoided, we couldn’t take the risk given the substantial fines that can be assessed while we are working in good faith to meet the deadlines in the Magistrate’s orders.
Nevertheless, we’re determined to resolve our past mistakes to reestablish our good standing as an agricultural operation and preserve in our community. As we endeavor to correct violations and grow our agricultural operations, we’ll also work hard to build community goodwill and mend fences with our residential neighbors, as well as the county officials representing their interests.
Contact Us
If you have any questions or comments to share, please email Darin Montgomery at darin@westboyntonranches.com.