• About BCR
  • News
  • News @ BCR
  • Rescues
  • Issues
  • Cat Laws
Friday, April 16, 2021
  • Login
  • Register
Big Cat Rescue
  • Get Involved
  • Cub Facts
  • The Sanctuary Cats
  • FAQs
  • Contact Us
  • Shop
  • Videos
  • Donate
No Result
View All Result
Big Cat Rescue
  • Get Involved
  • Cub Facts
  • The Sanctuary Cats
  • FAQs
  • Contact Us
  • Shop
  • Videos
  • Donate
No Result
View All Result
Big Cat Rescue
No Result
View All Result
Home News World

Lion Country Safari officials want OK for 1,000 homes

BCR by BCR
October 17, 2006
in News World
0
0
SHARES
1
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare via Email

You might also like

Cub Petting Shame

Rules

GoFree

By Andy Reid
South Florida Sun-Sentinel

October 17, 2006

Under a new push for development at Lion Country Safari, homes could one day outnumber animals.

The drive-through animal park west of Royal Palm Beach wants approval to build twice as many homes as once planned on vacant land beside its attractions.

Palm Beach County commissioners opened the door to that possibility last month when they called for almost doubling the number of homes allowed on agricultural land between Wellington and Palm Beach Gardens.

Since then, Lion Country Safari representatives have been making the lobbying rounds, calling for the same two-homes-per-acre standard.

That could allow more than 1,000 homes on the property, instead of the 500 commissioners endorsed last year.

General Manager Harold Kramer said there are no plans to close the 39-year-old attraction, just to preserve the development rights of unused land. Home building remains at least two years away, he said.

“We just don’t want to be forgotten,” Kramer said. “There is a chance to develop and do it in a way that would be useful to everyone.”

Commissioners last year made an exception to allow about 500 homes proposed on half of the 640-acre Lion Country Safari property.

Doubling that would be too much for residents in the rural area, Loxahatchee community activist Nancy Gribble said. It could lead to townhouses and apartments in an area where homes sit on 1.25 acres or more, she said.

“They shouldn’t have been slipped in the back door from the get-go,” Gribble said. “They should get no different favor.”

Commissioners in 2005 added Lion Country Safari to the “sector plan,” guidelines a decade in the making that were intended to shape neighborhoods planned on large western agricultural properties.

The plan called for a development standard of one home per 1.25 acres, but a majority of commissioners last month proposed changing that to two homes per acre.

Commissioners contend the change would increase the value of the county-owned Mecca Farms property and lead to the construction of more affordable housing out west. Western residents and environmental groups counter that it brings sprawling development that strains roads, schools and the environment.

Loosening development rules for some property owners sets a precedent similar to passing out just a few lollipops to a line of children, said Joanne Davis, spokeswoman for the growth watchdog group 1,000 Friends of Florida.

“They are all going to have a temper tantrum and you are going to find a way to give all the kids a lollipop,” Davis said. “[Commissioners] are out of control.”

The sector plan could be changed to allow more homes in concentrated areas on properties such as Lion Country Safari, while also including requirements for more open space and public facilities elsewhere, Commissioner Warren Newell said.

“Everybody wants the same thing,” Newell said about the Lion Country Safari proposal. “We have to consider it.”

Commission Chairman Tony Masilotti said he supported including Lion Country Safari in the original sector plan, but opposes further increasing the number of homes allowed.

“You can’t fit two units per acre on that property and make it something that is desirable,” said Masilotti, who along with Commissioner Karen Marcus cast the only two votes against increasing the homes allowed in the sector plan. “I don’t think condos sell well in The Acreage,” he said.

The push for more homes at Lion Country Safari and a recent decision to close an elephant exhibit don’t signal a plan to shut down the attraction, Kramer said.

The park, with more than 900 animals, this year completed an expansion that includes a Ferris wheel, water playground, giraffe feeding exhibit and pavilion to host events. It continues to draw about 500,000 visitors a year and despite rising gas prices saw a slight increase in attendance this year, Kramer said.

New homes could be built on half the property, while the lions, campground and other attractions remain next door, he said.

“We are not going anywhere,” Kramer said.

Andy Reid can be reached at abreid@sun-sentinel.com or 561-228-5504.

oct17,0,7952129.story?coll=sfla-home-headlines

Tags: News World
Previous Post

Animal Communication

Next Post

Ontario: Escaped zoo bobcat still on the loose

BCR

BCR

Big Cat Rescue is Caring for Cats and Ending the Trade

Related Posts

Cub Petting Shame
Cat Laws

Cub Petting Shame

January 17, 2021
2.4k
Be Safe Out There!
How To Start A Sanctuary

Rules

March 31, 2020
204
Big Cat Rescue does bobcat rehab and release of native, Florida bobcats.
Articles by BCR

GoFree

March 29, 2020
754
Nik Tiger being Xrayed
How To Start A Sanctuary

What is a day like at Big Cat Rescue?

February 20, 2020
113
Cougars at Big Cat Rescue
Memorials

Artemis

January 26, 2020
346
Next Post

Ontario: Escaped zoo bobcat still on the loose

Leave a Reply

  • Default Comments (0)
  • Facebook Comments

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Help Feed Big Cats

One of the best ways to help is through general donations that can be used however it is most needed at the time.To make a general donation just click the Donate Now button below.  This is the best way to give as it has the lowest credit card processing fees and is immediate help for the cats.

Give to Big Cat Rescue

If you prefer to donate via Pay Pal, please use this link: Pay Pal

Take Action Against Abuse

Shop To Save Big Cats

More From BigCatRescue

  • Big Cat Rescue is Live 24/7 on Webcams
  • Rescue Missions
  • About Big Cat Rescue
  • Big Cat Rescue News
  • Reviews
  • Our Recent Work
  • Sanctuary FAQs
  • Big Cat TV

Sanctuary Cats

  • Jaguars
  • Leopards
  • Lions
  • Tigers
  • Bobcats
  • Canada Lynx
  • Cougars
  • Ocelots
  • Savannah Cats
  • Servals

Big Cat Information

  • Jaguars
  • Leopards
  • Lions
  • Tigers
  • Bobcats
  • Canada Lynx
  • Cougars
  • Ocelots
  • Savannah Cats
  • Servals

Ways to Help

  • Newsletter SignUp
  • Donate Now
  • Volunteer
  • Contact Us
  • View AMP Versioin
No Result
View All Result
  • About BCR
  • News @ BCR
  • Videos
  • Big Cat Facts
  • Cub Facts
  • Sanctuary Cats
  • Shop and Save Cats
  • Volunteer
  • Donate
  • Abuse Issues
  • Contact Us

© Copyright 2021 BigCatRescue.Org. All Rights Reserved.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.AcceptReject Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

SAVE & ACCEPT

Add New Playlist