Confusion Over Land Ownership Sparks Controversy at Indian River County Meeting
A substantial landowner in Indian River County has recently become the center of a heated local controversy driven by mistaken identity and viral misinformation. County officials and legal representatives have stepped in to clarify that rumors regarding a “massive Islamic city” being planned for the area are entirely fictitious.
The confusion stems from allegations that Epic Estates, a Texas-based investment firm holding more than 7,100 acres in Indian River County, was connected to “Epic City,” a proposed religious community in Texas designed by the East Plano Islamic Center.
Origins of the Misinformation
Tensions came to a head during a Jan. 22 Planning and Zoning Commission meeting. Dennis Michael Lynch, a local homeowner and former Fox News contributor, urged residents to protest what he described as “huge plans for a massive mosque and Mecca-like community in Vero Beach.” Lynch alleged that the development would eventually lead to a takeover of the town.
However, Indian River County officials at the meeting explicitly denied the existence of any such plans. Following the meeting, Lynch acknowledged on social media that there was no evidence linking the landowner to the religious project in Texas.
“There’s no evidence linking the owner to Epic City. Furthermore, I’m told the owner is not Muslim, though this is unrelated to my zoning concerns.”
In subsequent statements to local media, Lynch argued that his previous comments regarding Islam were “cherry picked” and maintained that his primary concern remains the potential rezoning of agricultural land.
Clarifying the Entities Involved
The controversy appears to have arisen from a similarity in names between two unrelated entities:
Epic Estates manager Venkatesh Yerramsetty, who is Hindu, declined to comment directly on the situation, referring inquiries to his legal counsel.
Legal Response and Fallout
Kevin Rollin, a Vero Beach attorney representing Epic Estates, issued a stern letter to county commissioners on Jan. 26. The letter addressed the “malicious actors” who spread the false narrative, warning that the company is prepared to take legal action against those fostering the conspiracy theories.
“Malicious or reckless actors have spread false claims that my client or its owners are somehow involved in a plan to develop a community for radical Islamic adherents in Florida. Some people then sought to convert the manufactured public outrage into personal gain by promoting viral social media coverage.”
While the rumors of a religious compound have been debunked, the situation highlights the tension surrounding large-scale land acquisitions in the Treasure Coast region. Epic Estates remains a significant stakeholder in the local real estate market, with vast holdings in both Indian River and St. Lucie counties.
