October 22, 2024, saw a packed house at the Hendry County Board of County Commissioners meeting regarding the rezoning of the property located at 7800 CR 78. The owner of record, R&R Harvesting, wished to rezone the 267-acre property from General Agriculture (A-2) to Planned Unit Development (PUD) to allow for mining on the property. The applicant stated that the purpose of the request to rezone is to mine spoil material out over the length of 5 years.
Fort Denaud, Labelle, and Alva communities showed up in full force to voice their opposition to the project. Many expressed their opposition to several of the Hendry County Commissioners in advance of the meeting via email, phone calls, or individual meetings.
The community was in great opposition to the project for many reasons, a few to note: the integrity of a roadway already in disrepair, the safety of students at bus stops, the safety of students and parents during drop off/pick up at the Alva school and environmental concerns, including the area being home to several Florida panthers, to name a few.
This project would have allowed for 150 dump trucks per day to enter and exit the subject property over 5 years, totaling over 250,000 dump trucks over time.
In the end, the Hendry County Commissioners heeded the community’s concerns and voted in opposition to the project, thus not allowing for the rezoning. Thank you to Hendry County Commissioners Wills, Iglesias, Howard, and Byrd for their votes in opposition. Neighbors near the project would also like to thank the surrounding community for rallying behind them to protect the tranquility and safety of rural living in Fort Denaud.
For more information on the meeting, please read coverage from Fox 4’s Austin Schargorodski at www.fox4now.com/alva/its-going-to-challenge-an-already-stressed-road-fort-denaud-residents-rally-to-block-mining-rezoning.
