Planning commission approves annexation, land‑use and PD rezoning for Timberland site; traffic study still pending

The Ocala Planning and Zoning Commission on an evening vote approved the annexation (ANX24‑45704), a future‑land‑use change to Medium Intensity Special District (LUC24‑45705) and rezoning to Planned Development (PD24‑45706) for roughly 35.1 acres behind the Timberland Apartments.

Staff planner Bridal Miller told the commission the northern parcel contains the 42‑unit Timberland Apartments and the southern parcel is wooded; the application proposes a mix of single‑family detached, attached and multifamily housing at 11.67 dwelling units per acre — about 459 units — with 37.9 percent gross open space that would include a clubhouse, pool, walking paths and centralized lakes. Staff recommended approval with conditions, including updates to the PD standards book and plan before city council hearings to remove application materials and finalize a traffic study.

The request includes several code variations: a switch from a required solid wood fence to a 6‑foot vinyl fence, 20‑foot alley right‑of‑ways instead of a wider standard, and a reduction of the parking requirement for attached…