A potential alligator farm prompted several rural Wildwood residents to raise objections to a rezoning case Tuesday night before the Sumter County Board of Commissioners.
The 15-acre farm property is north of State Road 44 and west of the Florida Turnpike near County Road 231.
The board approved the request to change the zoning from rural residential to agricultural, a downgrade in permitted density.
Resident Cozette Sesler said the farm owner said he would be raising alligators and she’s concerned about them roaming on land adjacent to her property.
Levi Solomon said he’s concerned about the impact on his elderly mother who also lives next to the property.
“I understand there would be some animals near my mother’s house,” he said.
But Roosevelt Morgan said he feels better about the alligator farm after touring the property with the owner. He said the owner is putting up additional fencing and he believes the gators will be contained.
Board chairman Doug Gilpin made it clear to the residents that the board was considering only the zoning change and not the future use of the property.
Sumter County legalized alligator farming a year ago when the animals were added to the list of farm animals. Alligator farming is permitted in agricultural and rural residential zoning districts.
The number of Florida alligator farms has risen from four in 1977 to 63 in 2014. The animals are raised for their hides and meat and only 30 farmers statewide are allowed to collect alligator eggs.
Unlike other livestock, the animals are carnivorous, eating animal protein, and nearly 400 pounds of protein are needed to grow a six-foot alligator.
