Planning & Zoning approves several rezoning requests, including R-1 to R-1AA parcel amid wildlife concerns

The Ocala Planning and Zoning Commission approved four rezoning requests on July 14, clearing property-specific zoning changes across residential, commercial and industrial districts.

The commission voted to approve ZON25-0010, a request to rezone a parcel approximately 320 feet east of the intersection of Northeast 30th Street and Northeast Jacksonville Road from R-1 (single-family residential) to R-1AA (single-family residential with reduced lot sizes). Planner Bria Miller told the commission the rezoning does not change permitted uses but reduces minimum lot area from 13,500 square feet to 6,000 square feet and lot frontage from 100 to 60 feet; staff analysis showed average lot area in a 300-foot radius of about 16,132 square feet and average lot width of about 101 feet. Miller also noted a Duke Energy transmission easement across part of the site and a 2007 FWC (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission) permit record relating to gopher tortoise removal.

Neighbors spoke in opposition during public comment, raising wildlife and drainage concerns. Brian Clements, a resident at 1212 Northeast 30 Second Place, said the parcel "is loaded with wildlife" and urged the city to consider preserving it as green space for bird watching. Daniel Mead, who lives near the site, described owls, hawks and gopher tortoises on the property and warned of possible pest impacts if habitat is disturbed. The applicant’s agent, Paolo Mastracerio of Mastracerio Engineering, said any development would begin with an environmental assessment and that the proposed rezoning is intended to match the R-1AA classification present on two adjacent properties to the south. Mastracerio said a conceptual plan currently shows 26 units and that public water and sewer would serve the site.

After discussion, the commission voted aye; the motion carried.

Also approved were:

- CON25-0009: a rezoning to B-4 General Business for property at 458 Northwest First Street and two contiguous parcels, a request staff said aligns with the High Intensity Central Core future land-use designation. The existing church use on one parcel is permitted in the requested district, staff said.

- ZON25-0011: a rezoning from B-2 Community Business to SC Shopping Center for 3235 Southeast Mary Camp Road, a parcel formerly occupied by a commercial batting-cage business. Staff noted the adjacent shopping center was rezoned to SC in 2020 and the subject property shares access with that center; the city will require an updated shopping center master plan before redevelopment.

- ZON25-0008: rezoning roughly 5.93 acres at NW 14th Street and NW Magnolia Terrace from split M-1/B-4 to M-1 Light Industrial; staff said the M-1 district is compatible with surrounding warehouse and industrial uses and recommended approval.

All four motions passed by roll-call vote. Commissioners recorded votes in favor from Mr. Carlock, Mr. Branson, Mr. McDonald and Mr. London. There were no recorded votes against the items.

The approved rezonings permit development or redevelopment consistent with the city’s adopted future land-use categories and require applicants to satisfy any outstanding site-specific engineering, environmental and master-plan conditions before building permits are issued.