Lion County Safari owners get county’s OK for 254 new homes

Loxahatchee’s Lion County Safari has received approval from the Palm Beach County Commission to build up to 254 homes on the 637-acre wilderness theme park. Previously, just 63 homes were allowed on the property, or one for every 10 acres, which had been designated as “rural” by the county. Representatives from the theme park said they plan to develop unused land and keep the park open for tourists, but nearby residents say the zoning change could lead to suburbanization and overbuilding. Joanne David, an advocate for preserving the rural area with 1,000 Friends of Florida, called the zoning change “a bailout for one property owner.” [Sun Sentinel]