Help business, ease up on rules, Hernando planning board member says

BROOKSVILLE — During tough economic times, government should do more to help struggling businesses, even if it means not strictly enforcing rules such as the Comprehensive Plan, a Hernando planning board member said Monday.

Planning and Zoning commissioner Ronald Caldi said the priority should be to encourage commerce. "We should be finding ways to say yes rather than finding ways to say no,'' he said.

At issue was a request from James McLamb, known for developing several industrial parks, restaurants and businesses in the county, for a rezoning to operate a building materials business on Wiscon Road, east of California Street.

County staff members recommended denial because the Comprehensive Plan considers the area rural and because the use was too intense for the zoning sought.

Ultimately, the planning commission voted 3 to 2 to deny the application. The County Commission will have the final say.