Residents not wild about pig farm plan

A frustrated property owner's vow to build a pig and poultry farm within shouting distance of Vallejo's upscale Hiddenbrooke homes is causing a big stink.

Off-set with a balloon bouquet, a sign along Hiddenbrooke Parkway went up this week saying a hilly parcel less than a half-mile from the neighborhood entrance soon would be sporting animal farming operations.

The sign is on the edge of 707 Hiddenbrooke Parkway, a 16-acre parcel owned by David and Mary Laird, currently living in Florida. Another sign painted on a building on the parcel Friday morning contains a similar "Coming Soon!" announcement and also asks people to forgive the upcoming "s--t" smell.

Hiddenbrooke Community Association board vice president Richard Tirrell said the signs and the property owner's actions are nothing new. He noted that Laird took similar action last year, alarming residents with vows to build a boarding school and low-income housing on the site, though nothing materialized.

City Development Services Director Brian Dolan said the signs are illegal and the city will take a code enforcement action against them. He stressed animal farms are not allowed under existing zoning.