The monthly meeting of the Florence County Planning Commission ended emotionally for one Florence family after that body decided they would not be allowed to keep several goats, chickens and pigs living on their property.
James and Christina Fender requested to change the zoning district designation of their property after discovering the current zoning does not allow livestock.
Their property, which is located at 2506 Pamplico Highway and 2328 Dudley Drive, is zoned as B-3, or general commercial district.
The couple wanted their land to be unzoned so they could keep their two pigs, three goats and six chickens.
The Fenders, along with their daughter, addressed the planning commission Tuesday and a room full of neighbors, some of whom are against and some of whom are for keeping the animals.
Christina Fender told the commission they got the animals late last year as therapeutic pets for their daughter, who was seriously injured in a car crash in September.
The animals are friendly and are family pets that have helped in their daughter’s healing process, she said.
“One of the goats’ names is Jack, and he has been to the vet, and one of the chickens has even gone to the vet,” she said.
Christina Fender apologized to the commission and said the situation had gotten “out of hand” among the people living in her neighborhood.
One of her neighbors, who later identified herself as Pherebie Wall, had persuaded several neighbors to sign a petition against their keeping the animals, Christina Fender said.
Christina Fender told the commission Wall has spread untrue rumors about the Fenders, including saying they plan to close their used car lot and open a slaughter house on their property.
Wall, who lives on Dudley Drive, told the commission she never said anything untrue about the animals or their owners and that she only wanted the livestock removed and for the Fenders’ zoning request to be denied.
The pig pen is located only 30 feet from her home’s deck and she can smell the animals, Wall said.
“The (Fenders’) privacy fence doesn’t stop the odor,” Wall said. “I have a sick husband, and I wouldn’t put that on anybody.”
Some neighbors told the commission they didn’t mind the animals, while others said if the Fenders’ land was rezoned, then it would allow people to bring in more livestock.
The Florence County Zoning Ordinance allows a domestic animal shelter to be kept on B-3 property but the pigs, goats and chickens being kept on the parcel are not domestic animals, according to planning commission staff reports.
The report also said it isn’t in compliance with the county’s comprehensive plan and that land’s use would be incompatible with adjacent properties.
“It is a residential neighborhood, it is not for raising animals,” Peter Knoller, commission chairman, said.
Christina Fender said her family is devastated by the decision and plans to present their argument before Florence County Council at their next meeting, which is scheduled for 9 a.m. April 16.
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