BROOKSVILLE — The Hernando County Commission has approved a special exception use permit allowing a family to build a mausoleum on their property, overturning a Planning & Zoning Commission decision from February.
Julie Vadell and Sabato Del Pozzo, who are traveling abroad, will return to the good news. The couple had been denied by Planning & Zoning on a 4-1 vote Feb. 9. Vadell said at the time she wasn’t sure whether she would appeal, but she appeared before the panel March 3 to ask that the County Commission take up the matter. The vote to do so was 5-0, and the item was placed on the April 7 land use agenda.
Planning & Zoning had raised concerns about what would happen if the land were sold in the future.
Commissioner John Allocco echoed that, saying he had questions about how the cost of maintaining the mausoleum would be covered 50 to 100 years from now.
Development Director Omar DePablo said the mausoleum is considered a commercial use from the state’s perspective. County Attorney John Jouben said the family will have to meet requirements from the Department of Financial Services.
The couple’s daughter-in-law, Michelle Vadell, said a trust is in place.
Commissioner Steve Champion said his memories of seeing family graveyards shaped his view that the couple had a right to do this, and he made a motion to approve the special exception.
“It’s a legacy thing, and I applaud your family for doing this,” he said.
At one point, a commissioner noted the TV series “The Madison” has a similar storyline.
The motion passed 4-0.
Postponed items shorten meeting
Two items involving the rezoning of farmland owned by the Melton family for housing development have been postponed to a date yet to be determined.
In both cases, the county needs more time to work with the developer and its representatives on details. The items will be re-noticed with new signage and notifications at the applicant’s expense.
Resident Bob Morgan urged the county to ensure that when the items do come before the commission, there are no last-minute “document drops” in which commissioners receive handouts just before a vote.
Several residents expressed concern that repeated postponements are wasting their time and forcing them to miss work and other obligations.
Commissioner Brian Hawkins said he supported the idea of prohibiting day-of handouts but said the rule would have to apply to the public as well.
A proposed cell tower overlay at a church along State Road 50 was also postponed. County Senior Planner Michelle Miller said the petitioner’s attorney had a hearing that could not be rescheduled, so the item will be moved to May 5. The petition will be readvertised at the applicant’s expense.
Residents have raised concerns about the tower and what they say are the health dangers of 5G transmissions. However, Federal Communications Commission rules prohibit local governments from considering the health effects of wireless transmissions when reviewing tower applications. Jouben said the federal Telecommunications Act requires local governments to approve the towers.
In other action
Commissioners voted 4-0 to approve ordinances amending regulations on conditional use permits, zoning permits and certificates of use, size requirements for structures with impervious roof coverings, residential lot landscaping and compliance inspections for vacant lots, and sidewalk regulations.