Judge: Polk violated own land code in approving Safari Wild

An administrative law judge has ruled Polk County violated its own land development rules by approving plans for an animal park called Safari Wild.

Administrative Law Judge David Maloney determined the project sits in the Green Swamp and is prohibited. Much of Central Florida gets its drinking water from the swamp and the state has deemed it a critical area of concern.

In his recommended order issued today, Maloney urged "the Florida Land and Water Adjudicatory Commission quash the Polk County Development Order" that allowed the project to proceed and "deny permission to Safari Wild to develop the Safari Wild Project."

Maloney determined that Polk County violated its Land Development Code and Comprehensive Plan by allowing the project to move forward.

The matter ended up before the state Division of Administrative Hearings when Florida's Department of Community Affairs challenged Polk County's decision. DCA has the authority to appeal any development order issued in an area of critical state concern.

The development came to neighbors' attention in 2008, when a group of patas monkeys escaped from the 258 acre facility that sits off Moore Road in Lakeland.

They also questioned why the county would give the go-ahead to such a project without holding a public hearing.

Former Lowry Park Zoo CEO Lex Salisbury and his business partner launched Safari Wild.

Salisbury contends it is an agri-tourism project where up to 500 guests a day can take guided tours, dine and watch animals in a natural environment.

Neighbors argued it was a theme park and would ruin the area as well as their quiet rural lifestyle.

An 8 On Your Side Investigation discovered that Salisbury mixed zoo assets with Safari Wild. The zoo's board of directors demanded his resignation.

A Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigation found no criminal wrongdoing.