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Commission backs small 'mini‑farm' permit with animal limits, site and monitoring conditions
Summary
A special use permit for a family‑scale mini‑farm on South Magnolia Avenue, including limits on large animals, chickens and access for manure removal, was recommended for approval with conditions tying the use to site plan review and periodic staff verification. Neighbors raised concerns about flooding, wells and odors.
The Marion County Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of a special use permit that would allow a family‑scale "mini‑farm" on an 11.78‑acre parcel on South Magnolia Avenue, east of Ocala.
Planner Jared Rivera said the proposal includes limited farm animals, beekeeping, crop production and the ability to sell excess crops off‑site. The property sits inside the rural land future‑use category outside the urban growth boundary; staff reviewed the comprehensive plan policies for compatibility and recommended approval with conditions intended to limit impacts to surrounding residential areas.
Applicants Kevin and Barbara Marovich told the commission their goal is "to have a small family farm with a few large animals and to be able to sell whatever crops we produce that were in excess of what our family could sell. No commercial business on the property," Kevin Marovich said.
Neighbors were split. Charlotte Rozanski, 7660 S. Magnolia Ave., spoke in favor and said past owners kept livestock without incident. Other residents directly behind the property, including Janet Casey and Toni Leitner, opposed the permit, citing flooding on their yards during heavy rains, concerns about runoff and well contamination, odors and septic impacts. Casey asked that her letter be entered into the record and raised nitrate and flood concerns; Leitner cited LDC and clean water standards in urging denial.
Staff proposed conditions that narrow the number and type of animals and set management requirements: either up to three large animals (horses or cows) or six goats/sheep on the pasture area; up to 40 chickens with 800 square feet of coop area; beekeeping; no on‑site or on‑lot commercial retail activity; manure removal limited to access from South McNulty Avenue (not across the residential driveway); submission of a major site plan at the time of development; a three‑year expiration on the special use permit with renewals subject to staff verification; and enforcement avenues through code enforcement if conditions are not met.
Commissioner Danny Gaikwad moved to recommend approval with staff conditions; Don Johnson seconded. The board approved the recommendation with one commissioner opposed. Rivera said staff had coordinated site visits with the sheriff’s agricultural unit to confirm appropriate animal counts and recommended site‑specific conditions accordingly. The application will proceed to the County Commission for final action.
