ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — An Orange County community is taking on a local business over what they call an eyesore that's ruining the neighborhood.
The 40-acre property off Round Lake Road near Zellwood is supposed to be a fish farm, but it's been under excavation for more than two years, and the owner told Channel 9's Karla Ray that won't change for at least another year and a half.
Headwater Farms has 40 acres of property, an aquaculture permit from the state to bring in fish and an excavation permit from the county to dig.
"Looks to me like it's not going to be a fish farm, but it's going to be a sand mine," said neighbor Margaret Shuman. "It is what it is; a sand mine."
Photos: Fish farm under development near Zellwood
Neighbors worry the land will eventually become a dump. Skywitness 9 HD flew over the area and saw a smoldering burn pile with garbage. The owner said that's just part of cleaning up the land to make room for the lakes.
"It's what we do. We're fish farmers," said Adam Perez.
Perez said every truckload of dirt sold will help pay for the farm's infrastructure, so there's incentive to keep the crews running six days a week.
"Once we get the material leveled, we'll build our ponds and it will be a beautiful sight," he said.
The pit and damage to the road has since caught the attention Commissioner Bryan Nelson, who said he plans to bring up potential changes to how projects like Perez's are regulated to minimize their impact.
"We're going to look at it for sure," said Nelson. "I would like to see it (become a fish farm), but I have serious doubts."
The owner of the business said his crews are contractually obligated to have the back half of the property dug out by the end of the year.
WFTV
