[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6745202,"mediaKeyId","2383011-00e930e13836891bc1d96bfd4bfcf8d9","parentId",2383011,"title","Board hears minor technical edits to capital improvements element; staff cites statute allowing some CIP changes by ordinance","audioSeconds",296,"startMs",6758000,"endMs",7054000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2383011-00e930e13836891bc1d96bfd4bfcf8d9&start=6758&end=7054","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2383011-00e930e13836891bc1d96bfd4bfcf8d9/thumbnail_6758000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6745202/Marion-County/Florida/Board-hears-minor-technical-edits-to-capital-improvements-element-staff-cites-statute-allowing-some-CIP-changes-by-ordinance","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6745202-e2c048093d7f7268eeb6e02a514c9515/orig.mp4?Expires=1775340776&Signature=NOZip4kRFcC6-4F9GAE0sO9QvuXmfCBdNP3Zz~HpoG7FuH8YpHz5lrRlLjn1KMqBG2ZA-IzpdZ5yyUXrfD2yvGRP~5osruhIQ5bu7idWkLjA4czvmXqkivppamr~tMQ28q~jqBAnL9S7tLklgLGagx6C7h~rZzZ92aI2mppxfgaqjpIV6p7WX9ty7j7UrWQYqyXi9UxvnZE5qZSzbNyiJSVSCwb~BNCgfSLWXGR6Qww2mU2RHSCU7l73zFVakv7Mns91ezt4I~CIyx0kAh2yfZOHw88dJiKoiFYNZkiA6uzzfCCxBO2h6lsboris9MlK8Kww3ZaQFt~dO3UheUAxSQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Marion County","date","2025-02-24T00:00:00Z","article","County staff presented cleanup edits to the intergovernmental and capital improvements elements, and explained a procedural change related to the capital improvements program (CIP).

Staff said much of the capital improvements element red-line was stylistic and focused on making tables and level-of-service language easier to read; staff cautioned that if commissioners change level-of-service (LOS) targets the CIP text would need corresponding edits.

On procedure, staff noted a change in state practice: where previously adding a project to the CIP would require a comp plan amendment, state statute now allows certain additions by local ordinance. Staff described that corrections, updates, and modifications concerning costs and revenue sources may be handled by resolution rather than by ordinance in some cases, and promised to provide the precise statute citation for commissioners.

Why it matters: whether a project is added to the CIP by ordinance or by plan amendment affects the public-review steps and the state review obligations that follow. Commissioners asked staff to provide the statutory citation and to bring any LOS changes forward with coordinated red-lines to the CIP.

Next steps: staff will return with the cited statute, a red-line showing any LOS changes the county directorates recommend, and an explanation of the public hearing/ordinance/resolution steps required for CIP updates.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Marion County - Board of County Commissioners Workshop on 2025-02-24 2:00 PM - Workshop Regarding the Comprehensive Plan - Feb 24, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Staff presented cleaned-up red-lines for the intergovernmental and capital improvements elements and explained that state statute now allows some CIP additions to be made by local ordinance rather than a comp plan amendment.","taxTitle","Marion County, Florida","taxId",4897,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6745211,"Commissioners tighten protections for rural lands, require clearer 'need' and proximity tests for amendments",3219,1589000,4808000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2383011-00e930e13836891bc1d96bfd4bfcf8d9&start=1589&end=4808","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2383011-00e930e13836891bc1d96bfd4bfcf8d9/thumbnail_1589000.jpg","/articles/6745211/Marion-County/Florida/Commissioners-tighten-protections-for-rural-lands-require-clearer-need-and-proximity-tests-for-amendments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6745211-c62152450f61b65fa5250c6cd837d4c6/orig.mp4?Expires=1775340776&Signature=nnViXffHYTNjJmFE3uBp8RGRbJ4BkuUzjK4HCKOgYEauv0RC9Xy2uUI2ujMbk-FYQ2ZvUy~oVuz6syO~DsPwBMr0B7oVS4aZcwUb0ebPCPUvAFOiRIOvM6GTJ1B55V7p9TV4QsVIWHV9Mepr~FhM0So110MttabcCokKNfBeXclDeM8L81quLef1yP4AFl3jqGUO0OOln1Opr6hMYrincG9N8RxhN04UfBV4cnbYKwivP-cf1OVyTY5CNdk59n-7IB4T2w6A40P1xMj6hSLUNlZ43mYZU3AfwMUt4rWKvH5HlEj-~ODe1t7HtSADTHwCCzZVe8RorNXajl85rqdtTA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Marion County commissioners spent substantial time at a April 4, 2025 workshop refining proposed comprehensive-plan language intended to protect rural neighborhoods and set out step-down approaches where urban development abuts rural land.

Staff presented draft edits to the future land use element that would require applicants seeking to convert agricultural or rural lands to urban uses to \"at a minimum\" demonstrate: close proximity to the urban growth boundary (UGB), a demonstrated need for the amendment, compatibility with surrounding uses, and conformity with the land development code (LDC). Commissioners asked staff to supply clearer definitions and objective criteria for \"close proximity\" and for the content of a \"need\" analysis.

\"We typically look for, is it adjacent or almost adjacent so that there's not a whole lot of leapfrogging,\" a planner said when asked what \"close proximity\" would mean in practice. Commissioners asked staff to return with a short checklist of items applicants must prove in a need analysis (for example: local jobs, housing support, trip generation impacts, and consistency with the county vision).

Step-down illustrative policy: staff presented an illustrative step-down approach that would require new development adjacent to the UGB to incorporate a one-hundred-foot setback/buffer, retain an existing natural vegetative buffer or provide a buffer meeting the LDC's opacity standards, and limit building heights at the buffer edge (example language gave 35 feet at the 100-foot edge, with incremental height increases moving into the development). Staff also proposed an optional cluster-density bonus tied to preserving at least 60% of an area as open space that directly protected rural lands.

Board response: several commissioners raised concerns that the proposed cluster-density bonus would allow apartment-scale intensity immediately adjacent to rural neighborhoods. After discussion, commissioners directed staff to remove the cluster-density bonus from the UGB-facing policy and instead explore density incentives farther inside the urban growth boundary.

Commissioners also requested that buffering rules be expressed in a way that produces reliable visual screening. One commissioner suggested using measurable opacity standards (for example, a required percentage of visual opacity within a given time frame) rather than prescribing specific plant species or sizes in the comp plan, and then rely on the LDC to spell out installation and growth specifications.

Utilities, package plants and rural development: commissioners asked whether privately owned wastewater systems (so-called package plants) would be allowed in rural areas. Staff said on-site treatment has been approved in limited cases where density and proximity to existing utilities made it appropriate; any such systems must meet county and DEP standards and, where the county adopts them, meet Marion County standards.

Next steps: staff was asked to redline comp plan language with a clearer definition of \"close proximity,\" a short list of required elements for a needs analysis, and revised step-down buffer language that references opacity standards in the LDC rather than prescribing planting lists in the comp plan. Commissioners also asked staff to return with a map showing the UGB, adjacent land uses and existing zonings and a summary of items already allowed in agricultural areas to inform incentives for maintaining working farms.

","Marion County commissioners directed staff to tighten comprehensive-plan protections for rural lands, to define objective tests for land-use conversions, and to remove a proposed cluster-density bonus adjacent to the urban growth boundary.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6745216,"Marion County to supply commercial-industrial parcel inventory on request after clarifying CEP role",654,752000,1406000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2383011-00e930e13836891bc1d96bfd4bfcf8d9&start=752&end=1406","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2383011-00e930e13836891bc1d96bfd4bfcf8d9/thumbnail_752000.jpg","/articles/6745216/Marion-County/Florida/Marion-County-to-supply-commercial-industrial-parcel-inventory-on-request-after-clarifying-CEP-role","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6745216-302fb080d6f4c2f7e4380d142bf36973/orig.mp4?Expires=1775340776&Signature=a1ySrrxmCFBLaocrK4g3v1ESj70hr8fESJYm7TfPH~ukx9RqoWyyQI0sTOLkS5vevlTPt4nvZzuC9DPLqvhE2seAdiYVTEqTWCXBHqKhFn3d94cBCrISlgGlMbNmYoPMMAAq2ZM9uwXHEqubWDsv-xJAjNJ-0j1VSoyHFM--nLHuOvY9nETbEpCv-x~hVt3gsF8uECkH4zREQOfS3XegOoyDeo3kPb7IJofCGNgRSCO5~mkvhoiuOn535W3Sv043yXCquFS32ID1Tt~DQBXX3QL4W51onNoRFB~~u15NXROOWlO0QExPZWdxO-wFoRn0YPqSOn2WHV7DvXXNwAfKKg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Marion County commissioners agreed at a planning workshop on April 4, 2025, that the county will maintain an inventory of commercial and industrial designated lands and make that inventory available to members of the public on request.

At an exchange about Objective 1.4, Commissioner Stone asked whether the proposed comp plan language should require the county to coordinate specifically with the Chamber and Economic Partnership or with any economic development organization. Staff said the county's role is to provide GIS layers showing land use and zoning, which other entities (including the CEP) may use to prepare property lists for promotion.

\"The county, in coordination with the Chamber and Economic Partnership, will maintain an inventory of commercial and industrial designated lands for economic growth and job creation purposes. This list shall be supplied to anyone in the public upon request,\" a staff-drafted sentence that commissioners discussed became the agreed formulation.

Why it matters: commissioners said the inventory helps economic development partners and local real-estate professionals identify sites suitable for commercial or industrial investment. Several commissioners said the CEP has historically performed recruitment activities with data derived from county layers, but the board agreed the inventory should not be limited to a single organization.

What staff said: planning staff and GIS staff explained the inventory will be produced from county-managed GIS layers (land use, zoning and parcel data) and shared through the county's interactive map and data portal; staff noted parcel-level confidential data (for example, parcel appraiser information flagged as confidential) would not be released.

What the board directed: commissioners asked staff to revise comp plan language so the county's role is clear (supply GIS data rather than act as the sole promoter) and to add explicit language that the inventory will be made available to any member of the public who requests it. Commissioners also asked staff to return with a redline and a short work plan describing how the layers will be posted and what information will be excluded for confidentiality reasons.

What remains unresolved: commissioners asked staff to confirm whether the county should use the word \"shall\" (a mandatory requirement) or a softer phrasing. Commissioner Stone opposed swapping \"shall\" for \"should,\" and the board ultimately adopted language stating the county \"will\" maintain the inventory and that it \"shall be supplied to anyone in the public upon request.\" Staff will return with the revised red-line language and descriptions of public access mechanisms.

","Marion County commissioners agreed at a planning workshop that the county will maintain an inventory of commercial and industrial designated lands and make the list available to anyone in the public upon request.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6745206,"County staff: rural activity centers are generally well located; board asks use-comparison along US-441",545,6235000,6780000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2383011-00e930e13836891bc1d96bfd4bfcf8d9&start=6235&end=6780","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2383011-00e930e13836891bc1d96bfd4bfcf8d9/thumbnail_6235000.jpg","/articles/6745206/Marion-County/Florida/County-staff-rural-activity-centers-are-generally-well-located-board-asks-use-comparison-along-US-441","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6745206-79a1da4443f39aca151d3fabf2facc67/orig.mp4?Expires=1775340776&Signature=kMLim1VPbMKrGS5IUF-sCantAgO68cdd3v3KnjmvNBtn7Qc~rqkH4jQN2gXZHPJAIVe2Q0cIrPelIyf11Da~QoJChYac8dvB-qbWKFjCqDp7ioKlv6kecEcV7EXRgK1I-vuCHs1gaVkKqVBGx-UzCSsgKaN4qzm0uOYmMxhFbP-OOFCuC6M9nkz0QHJy5z4snUysgmL3JtwHVHcqkJ4e9QEdgi30CRuohIaX~gQIwaBEsJLIjWaloC5r6rOPyRNms9ZAIjr1A9jYrK4oyZKSh7zRePLhoUXuKtu3lZbSqD4iCje2iskznsM9S0eMoYyoSLMxlVFDDcs21dQaSEyW7Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Marion County planning staff told commissioners that existing rural activity centers (RACs) appear to be strategically located and occupied, based on a GIS review presented at the April 4 workshop.

Ken, who prepared the map, explained he used a five-mile buffer around each RAC. \"I used a 5 mile buffer because of multiple reasons. 1, 5 miles in rural areas is not very far. 2, if a rural activity center maximizes its development before you can create a new 1 within to be set 5 miles spacing distance there. And in the rural areas, a food desert is 10 miles, so this is half of that,\" he said.

Staff recommended no immediate changes to RAC locations, but commissioners asked for a focused comparison of day-to-day uses allowed under existing commercial zonings versus what a RAC designation permits along key corridors. In particular, some commissioners suggested examining the US-441 corridor where commercial zoning and RAC placement differ, and where freight/throughput considerations have influenced the county's decisions.

Why it matters: RACs are intended as mixed-use nodes to serve surrounding rural populations so residents need not travel into incorporated centers for routine goods and services. Commissioners asked staff to return with a use-by-use comparison to determine whether RACs or existing commercial zonings better serve everyday needs in those corridors.

Next steps: staff will provide a comparison of allowable uses in commercial-zoned parcels and RAC-designated nodes for corridors identified by commissioners, and will bring back the map layers used in the workshop for commissioner review.

","Staff presented a GIS-based assessment of Marion County's rural activity centers (RACs), mapping each center with a five-mile service buffer. Commissioners asked staff to compare commercial entitlements in existing commercial zoned areas with RAC allowances along the US-441 corridor and to return with a uses comparison.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board hears minor technical edits to capital improvements element; staff cites statute allowing some CIP changes by ordinance

Commissioners tighten protections for rural lands, require clearer 'need' and proximity tests for amendments

Marion County to supply commercial-industrial parcel inventory on request after clarifying CEP role

County staff: rural activity centers are generally well located; board asks use-comparison along US-441