BROOKSVILLE -- After complaints from neighbors, the Hernando County Planning and Zoning Commission has decided not to approve a request by a group of Ukrainian-Americans to host a hundred child refugees from war-torn Ukraine.
Torah Ohr, which organized last fall as a religious education nonprofit, wants to house the refugees on some land west of U.S. 19 and north of Weeki Wachee.
One of the nonprofit's founders, Moisheloae Federovsky, says the war zone is no place for a child. "Kids are forced to run for their lives and they have no place to receive an education," he said. The nonprofit wants to bring in the children on three-year visas, teach them English, and then move them into Hernando County public schools.
Neighbors signed a petition drafted by Karen Young, who says their plans include placing the children in manufactured homes on the property and would disrupt the neighborhood of one-to-five acre agriculturally zoned lots near Weeki Wachee.
"I'm sorry for the war... I wish it wasn't happening... and I'm sorry for the children... but this is not a safe area," Young said. Other opponents mentioned the possibility of PTSD from hunting with firearms, and hurricane evacuations.
Some opponents suggested Torah Ohr look for land to the east, closer to Brooksville.
The zoning board rejected the group's request. If they don't appeal to the county commission, the matter is closed.
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