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Century Rejects Man’s Plan To Keep Sheep On His Property
December 20, 2016
The Century Town Council has denied a new resident’s request to keep sheep on his seven acre lot.
Wayne Prescott went before the council Monday night with a variance request for his newly purchased property at 7505 North Century Boulevard, which is located across from the county courthouse. An ordinance enacted by the town in late 2013 prohibits sheep, horses and other barnyard animals any property in the town, unless it is zoned agricultural or rural residential. Prescott’s property is zoned as “environmentally sensitive” due to a creek.
Prescott told the council that he has moved to Century from Chesapeake, VA. He said he wanted to import competition sheep from his native Barbados and enjoy his culture. He promised the council that he would keep the sheep away from property lines and the environmentally sensitive creek.
“I want to use the land for its best purpose, not just trees,” Prescott said.
The council voted unanimously to deny Prescott’s variance request.
Pictured top: Wayne Prescott (standing top right) addresses the Century Town Council. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge. Pictured inset and below: Escambia County Property Appraiser information on Prescott’s property.
Comments
29 Responses to “Century Rejects Man’s Plan To Keep Sheep On His Property”
@SHO NUFF and others
Thank you for bringing up the term “Squalor” and that first impressions mean something indeed.
It is a big deal.
Yes Mr. Prescott does have a nice home and there are some other nice places through there. But there are many that are not.
Of course for the residents, many are more concerned with their homes and their own condition, which by the way, the tornado zone is still devastated for the most part. Drive through there.
All the County Commissioners know about this ordeal (or the have received written communication) From what I can see, Century is on the calendar in October 2017 for Operation Clean Sweep. So Century is on notice and could use volunteers from everywhere, please sign up.
Eyes need to stay on this and each individual property owner, who has the ultimate responsibility for their own yards are on notice.
Volunteer in October and keep the pressure on them, especially for the area that tourist, visitors and ride through on Highway 29.
Mayor Elect Hawkins voted to keep code enforcement out of Century in the past. Hopefully he has matured and is wiser and will be able to function in his role for the good of Century.
Barnyard animals inside city limits are a thing of the past, causing filth and squalor in a confined area is not acceptable so the town council is upholding that.
Keep pushing forward Century
Sheep are loud and they smell, good job Century Town Council. Mr. Prescott should have looked for a place out of town to raise his sheep but then he wouldn’t have gotten ‘The Big House” at such a low price. Can’t have your cake and eat it too… Never did understand why Dollar Bill built there.
Nicest looking place on Century Blvd.
Let the man have a few sheep. The way the property is maintained is proof that he will continue to take pride and not be a burden.
I was riding in a vehicle with a few successful businessmen that commented what terrible curb appeal Century has. They had no interest in locating a business in Century just by the view on the main drag, Hwy. 29.
The word “squalor” was used. The government and citizens of Century have way more to be focused on than a few sheep to promote business. First impressions mean something indeed…
If the land is environmentally sensitive then waivers/variances would have to be approved to build on and sheep or a few animals is about all that it can be used for. If Century wants to block the owners usage then buy the property. I’m sure Century can afford it….not!
REGARDING:
“Isn’t this the house that the lottery winner built years ago?”
It is the house Bill Underwood built, but he earned his money with businesses he ran in California.
David for Dollar Bill Underwood
and other good people
If you check the municipality code rules of Century, if property is zoned rural and and/or agricultural and certain acreage limits for certain animals that are spelled out and adhered to then there are exceptions to have animals in the town limits. The are simple common sense ordinances made for a very good reason.
A future land use rezoning has been in the works. Is this land, rural or ag. It must be residential as it should be due to its location and proximity to more highly densely populated apartments and thoroughfare.
Tell him to set 6-10 bee hives up and request agriculture. Set hives by January 1 … once registered with state county must grant agriculture.
Isn’t this the house that the lottery winner built years ago? It is beautiful! WIsh I could afford a house like that.
I also think he should be able to keep his sheep. This is part of his culture.
I’m sure next he will probably file some sort of frivilous law suit where his rights are being taken away…….and maybe even win…..get ready for it people.
Like the ruling is gonna somehow help Century’s image. Baaa.
Having sheep on one side of 29 and “wolves” on the other is a night mare!
There are things in all counties in the US called waivers, and they can be granted here. An environmentally sensitive creek will not be harmed by a few sheep. The size of this property should be large enough to support a few sheep and the new county extension agent should be able to advise. Pensacola has an ordinace to allow for variances. Personally, Escambia is or was a strong AG county in Florida and you should not forget your past!
I would prefer sheep over wolves!
HOAs are for sheepopple .. not lambs and sheep no lamb chops for y’all bahhhaaaaa
Justice is held in place by laws and enforcement. Just because somebody didn’t get their way does not mean their liberties have been infringed upon. Your statement is without merit.
Like someone said, he shoulda checked the laws. My compliments on your place Prescott, beautiful! That said, you seem like you couilda afforded a place outta town. So no sympathy for you.
You must realize that the world is becoming a big HOA, & HOAs are NOT democratic. God loves poor people, bcuz He made alotta them. The world tho, HATES them. It hates their tacky clothes, their crappy looking houses, their junk cars. And the fact that they have the nerve to reproduce.
Prescott, you shoulda got to know the local pols, perhaps you all coulda “worked something out” winkwink.
Tell him to get land in Bluff Springs.
For that matter, I will just let him graze a few acres here in Bluff Springs if he doesn’t overgraze and keeps up the fences.
David for land improvements
This is NOT liberty and justice for all. So sad.
I agree and am glad the council is being fair and upholding the law as it pertains to all the Citizens of Century fairly and evenly.
I believe some new apartments will be there across the street. Now apply the county codes for the other properties along Highway 29. Do not allow dilapidated buildings and junk filled yards be the image of Century, especially on the gateway into Florida.
Welcome to Mr. Prescott.
maybe he should had looked at the zoning before purchase.
What she said.
If they bent the rules for this property the next thing you know people will want chickens, horses, goats, etc. Then there would be no reason for the law. Want a farm, move out of the city limits. For those complaining about being told what to do with their property, sell it and move. This is no different than living in a housing community with a home owners association telling you what you can or cannot do, even when you can hang Christmas lights and when to take them down. Again, don’t like it, move further out into the woods.
He should be granted an exception. I’d much rather look at sheep if he agrees to keep the property clean.
I agree with bartender, it does seem unfair. But, perhaps he should have investigated the variance before purchasing the property. And there is the issue of the odor. Century Woods apartment complex butts up against that property. Farm animals do have an odor about them. Plus all that poo! Pee yooo!
All things considered, I’m not sure I’d have voted for the variance either.
I guess they also rejected keeping them beside Joseph at the Mainger.
maybe he should had looked at the zoning before purchase.
What’s next cars and dogs
I agree with “bartender”… I do think it is absolutely ridiculous someone can tell you what you can and can not have on your property, but I also see the other side also. What’s happening is the council doesn’t want everyone’s yard especially on a main road to look like a junkyard or what not…. which needs to be addressed along Century boulevard but what can you do with no budget. You can promise all day to keep animals secure but how many people have gotten hurt/ killed in the past with horses and donkeys and such.
I think he should be allowed to have them. You allow dogs to run rampant, or chained in yards that bark nonstop and people with trash and debris strewn throughout their yards. I didn’t even know their was 7 acres with that property. You will not even know they are tjere.
BAAAAAA HUMBUG.
that is so stupied.why cant a man keep quiet sheep on 7 acres.you cant see them or hear them so why not.you pay taxes and cant even have an animal on your property..atleast he is taking care of them.sheep are no trouble to anyone.. i think thats un fair.the property is beautiful and they should let him have his sheep.
I guess that the City Council is afraid that a small herd of sheep in a well kept pasture would not fit in with the dilapidated buildings, junk filled yards and blight of the rest of the town.
My guess is that there are enough sheep in Century already.