By Barbara Behrendt, Times Staff Writer
Monday, January 10, 2011
BROOKSVILLE — Hernando County officials enthusiastically sided with dogs over people on Monday.
In a unanimous vote, the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended that the County Commission allow Florida Classic Park to expand the number, length and type of events offered at the 50-acre park on Lockhart Road near Interstate 75 and State Road 50.
Known for the Florida Classic Clusters, the largest dog show in Florida, which draws hundreds of competitors and thousands of visitors from around the world, the operators of the park were before the planners because of a code enforcement complaint brought by neighbors.
Residents argued that the operators have violated rules set out in their 1988 approval by installing permanent lights and a sound system, and residents said the operators allowed hundreds of recreational vehicles to park there during the periodic dog events. The signature event ...