Charlotte Co. P&Z board rejects Kelly Farms mining request

In a 3-2 vote, the Charlotte County Planning and Zoning Board denied a request to rezone 1,032.33 acres of agricultural land owned by Kelly Family Holdings LLC, also known as Kelly Farms, for mining operations. 

The property includes active potato farmland and the site of the weekend off-road venue known as the Redneck Yacht Club, or RYC Mud Park, at 44570 Bermont Road, roughly 20 miles east of downtown Punta Gorda. 

Kelly Farms sought approval to allow mining on 573 acres of the property. Representatives said the Redneck Yacht Club would not be affected because mining activities would end before weekend events begin. Two additional portions of the property would remain in potato production. 

The Redneck Yacht Club hosts events involving all-terrain vehicles and other off-road activities. 

During the public hearing, several residents spoke against the rezoning request, raising concerns about water quality, traffic, noise and environmental impacts. 

Tim Ritchie warned that excavation could release hazardous materials, such as radon, uranium, radium, mercury and arsenic, potentially impacting drinking water, wildlife and aquifers. 

Camilla Spicer, who lives near a mine off Washington Loop Road, said mining equipment noise is a constant issue. She also said the area supports wild turkeys, quail, meadowlarks and other ground-nesting birds whose habitat could be disrupted 

Resident Richard Little said the proposal would threaten potato farming operations and noted the surrounding area remains largely agricultural despite existing mining activity nearby. 

Lindsay Harrington, a local Realtor, Charlotte director of the DeSoto-Charlotte Farm Bureau and former state legislator, said property rights must be balanced with regulations protecting the community. He questioned the project’s potential impact on drainage, water supply and traffic along Bermont Road. 

Harrington also said additional studies are needed because Bermont Road serves as the county’s primary east-west route. 

Although traffic studies found no significant impacts, Charlotte County traffic engineer Robert Fakhri said trucks should not be making left turns from the eastbound lane. 

Retired U.S. Air Force Col. Mary Ann Tipton said dump truck traffic already affects safety near Crossroads Hope Academy, a foster home for boys located in the area. She said buses transporting students to school and jobs regularly travel Bermont Road, which also is used by trucks hauling material from existing mines. 

Planning and Zoning Board member Robert Segur cited safety and watershed concerns in opposing the request. “I have serious underlying concerns with this project,” Segur said. 

Board member Stephen Vieira, who supported the rezoning, questioned whether denial could lead to future residential development on the property. “What if it’s denied and the owner comes back and wants to put 4,000 homes there?” Vieira said. 

Board members Kevin Graham, Segur and Phillip Smallwood voted against the rezoning request. Vieira and Clint Baker voted in favor.