Chad came in his own car and waited beside us on a hard plastic chair while we met with a planning clerk named Teresa Bell.

Teresa was direct.

She looked over the file, checked the property’s zoning designation, and told us that a complaint withdrawal did not erase the permit requirements.

“Your current garden may qualify under a different category,” she said, “but we have to determine that through the proper process.

The roadside parking is also a concern.

If vehicles block emergency access, the county will hear about it whether or not anyone complains about the crops.”

I began to protest, but Dad nudged me with his elbow.