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Planning panel recommends denial of land-use change for 2.55-acre NW 20th Ave parcel
Summary
The commission recommended denial of a request to change a heavily wooded 2.55-acre parcel from 'neighborhood' to 'medium intensity special district,' citing incompatibility with surrounding densities and the Ocala comprehensive plan; the applicant said he plans 56 apartments if the land-use change is approved.
The City of Ocala Planning and Zoning Commission recommended denial of a proposed future land use change for a 2.55-acre parcel at the southeast quadrant of NW 20 First Street and NW 20 Seventh Avenue.
Indira Madreveran of the Growth Management Department summarized staff analysis and recommended denial. She said the site's current designation is "neighborhood" (maximum 12 multifamily dwelling units per acre or 5 single-family units per acre) and that the requested "medium intensity special district" designation allows up to 30 dwelling units per acre. "The proposed future land use amendment is not compatible with the existing development pattern of the surrounding area, Ocala 2035 Vision, City Of Ocala Comp Plan, or the West Ocala Vision and Community Plan," she said.
Growth-management staff said their analysis of properties within a half-mile found 375 residentially developed parcels with an average density of 4.03 dwelling units per acre, making the proposed maximum (30 units per acre) a significant increase. Staff emphasized the comprehensive plan’s Objective 8 and related policies that identify which areas are appropriate for medium intensity special district designation; the subject parcel is not on that list.
Applicant Juan Vasquez, who said he owns the property, told the commission he has prepared a Planned Development (PD) application and neighborhood meeting and said his PD would propose 56 apartment units (less than the 76-unit theoretical maximum for 30 units/acre on 2.55 acres). "I am proposing 56 apartment units in the development in the PD," Vasquez said, and said he had neighborhood support from attendees and emails.
Commissioners raised traffic and compatibility concerns, noting the nearby intersection is a four-way stop and that any traffic mitigation would be handled at the development stage. One commissioner said he preferred the land-use amendment to accompany a PD submittal so the commission could review a specific plan rather than open the site to all uses allowed by the new land-use category.
After discussion, a motion to recommend denial carried. The commission’s recommendation will be included in the record sent to City Council for final action.
