Marion County Zoning Board Approves Changes for Solarium Properties LLC Developments

The Marion County Planning & Zoning Commission meeting on August 25, 2025, focused on several significant zoning changes affecting local land use. The commission reviewed multiple cases, including a proposal to change zoning from single-family dwelling (R1) to community business (B2) on a 2.38-acre parcel, identified by account number 1470-002-005. Additionally, a request was made to convert an expired Planned Unit Development (PUD) to heavy business (B5) zoning on a 20.9-acre site, associated with account number 36943-000-00.

During the meeting, no objections were raised from the public regarding these zoning changes, allowing the commission to proceed with the agenda. The commission approved the consent agenda, which included the aforementioned cases, while pulling two additional cases for further discussion.

One of the key items discussed was a small-scale amendment and rezoning request for a property located near the Ocala International Airport. This proposal seeks to change the land use from rural lands to medium residential, allowing for the development of 50 duplex-style homes. The current zoning is general agriculture, and the applicant aims to transition to a Planned Unit Development (PUD) format.

The commission noted that prior to the meeting, there were no letters of opposition or support received, although a petition with 13 signatures from nearby residents was submitted shortly before the meeting. The proposed development is designed to accommodate a higher density of housing, moving from one unit per acre to a maximum of four units per acre under the medium residential classification.

The meeting highlighted the ongoing efforts to adapt zoning regulations to meet the growing housing needs in Marion County while balancing community interests and land use compatibility. The commission will continue to evaluate these proposals in future sessions, ensuring that local development aligns with the county's planning objectives.