County Says Zoning Change Not Necessary for Wiccan Gatherings in Home

January 7, 2004

Source: Tallahassee Democrat

http://www.tallahassee.com/mld/democrat/news/local/7649002.htm

On January 7, 2004 the Tallahassee Democrat ran an Associated Press article that reported, "Santa Rosa County officials say members of a Wiccan church can meet at their leader's home near this Florida Panhandle city without a permit or zoning change. The county's zoning board in November denied a rezoning application by the Rev. William E. Livingston, who withdrew his appeal after reaching a compromise Monday with county commissioners. The commissioners and County Attorney Tom Dannheisser agreed with Livingston that his residence does not qualify as a house of worship so a zoning change is not needed. Livingston, chancellor of the Fire Dance Church of Wicca, said he had asked for the rezoning after a county employee erroneously told him he needed a conditional-use permit to hold church meetings at his home."