Burt Reynolds ranch, former ranch that is, will reportedly be re-developed into a housing estate. The construction of Burt Reynolds ranch have allow for the building of some 30 homes on its 150 acres of land, reports The Inquisitr.
When Burt Reynolds ranch was owned by the star, he has managed to make it into a sort of tourist attraction and celebration of his career in movies. Amongst the attractions included in it are a gift shop, the Burt Reynolds Museum and a petting zoo. Burt Reynolds ranch was also reportedly the location of his wedding with his second wife, Loni Anderson, though the marriage lasted only five years.
The now 78-year-old Burt Reynolds is the son of a former Riviera Beach police chief. He reportedly started his career in acting after leaving school. He went on playing small roles on TV. His movie career only began in 1961 and slowly grew until he became one of the most popular stars of the 1970′s and 80′s.
Despite his fame and success in his career, the same didn't go for his financial security. Because of the messy and expensive divorce with his second wife, not to mention bad investment decisions in ventures that failed, Reynolds reportedly filed for bankruptcy in 1996.
Three years after his bankruptcy, the Reynolds Liquidating Trust sold the Burt Reynolds ranch to the School District for $3.85 million. Just last year, the School District agreed to sell the land of the Burt Reynolds ranch to developers, K. Hovnanian Jupiter LLC. According to CBS 12, the Palm Beach County Commission approved zoning changes needed to build the 30 new homes on the site of the Burt Reynolds ranch on Thursday.
Reports say that the original plan was to build a school on the site. However, the new owners eventually gave up on the idea. Now, the developers are reportedly planning on building estate-style homes, horse-riding trails and land set aside for preservation.
According to County Commissioner Hal Valeche, the Burt Reynolds ranch re-development "is going to be beautiful."
Despite the positive outlook of Valeche, residents in the immediate vicinity have expressed concerns that the development might cause the area to lose its rural character. Hovnanian says that it has worked with Jupiter Farms representatives in order to design a building plan which will blend in with the area.
Some 60 acres of the former Burt Reynolds Ranch are to be set aside as conservation land and nearly 2 acres are being set aside for future civic uses. This could include a fire station and a library.
Burt Reynolds ranch might still be retaining its rustic charm despite many developments from its new owners. President Susan Kennedy of The Jupiter Farms Environmental Council endorsed the compromise building plan. She said, "We are excited about some of the opportunities."
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