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 units from 1.5 spaces to 1 space with options for off‑street parking. Miller said the proposed PD meets the medium‑intensity land‑use standards except for the listed variations and that annexation would eliminate an existing enclave.

Commission discussion focused on infrastructure and school capacity. Commissioner London said planned levels of service could reach the city’s adopted threshold of “E” and called traffic and school crowding “a downside,” saying he could not vote yes “in good conscience” given current congestion. Growth management director Jeff Schrum responded that the existing roadway level of service is C, the adopted standard is E, and a traffic study is underway and expected to be completed in the coming months. Traffic engineer Chris Walsh, working for the developer, said the adjacent four‑lane section of Southwest 20th Street currently operates at about 30 percent of capacity and would be roughly 50 percent of capacity at the project’s build‑out assuming growth rates used in the study. Chris Walsh said, “At build out of the development... we go to about about 50% of the capacity on that adjacent section of the 4 lane section of of Southwest Twentieth Street.”

Developer Denny Troncoso of Coso Capital told the commission the project is expected to have a large share of two‑bedroom units and so would be toward the lower end of school‑student projections. Troncoso said his firm invested about $1.3 million renovating the existing Timberland Apartments after acquiring the northern parcel in 2020 and described the new plan as a “thoughtful mix of housing types” designed with green space and connectivity.

Commissioners voted separately on annexation, land‑use and PD zoning, as required. The annexation and the land‑use change passed on unanimous roll calls. The rezoning to PD (PD24‑45706) passed with a majority; one commissioner voted nay during the rezoning vote. The subsequent adoption of the PD plan and standards also passed; one commissioner recorded a dissenting vote on that item.

The staff recommendation included a condition that the PD standards book be revised to comply with section 122‑943 before hearings at city council. The record shows the traffic study methodology has been approved and is under administrative review; if the final traffic study identifies unacceptable impacts the city will require mitigation or further revisions before final approvals.

Next steps: The approved annexation, land‑use and zoning actions will go to city council according to the schedule provided to applicants; the PD standards book and the final traffic study must be finalized prior to council hearings.

Votes at a glance: ANX24‑45704 (annexation) — approved (roll call: Branson Aye; Boudreaux Aye; Carlock Aye; McDonald Aye; Martin Aye; London Aye; Lopez Aye). LUC24‑45705 (land‑use change) — approved (same roll call). PD24‑45706 (rezoning to PD) — approved (majority; one Nay recorded). PD24‑45706 (adoption of PD plan/standards) — approved (majority; one Nay recorded).

Why it matters: The approvals clear a path for a large, mixed‑housing development in a previously unincorporated enclave that staff says is compatible with surrounding uses but that commissioners and residents flagged for potential traffic and school‑capacity impacts.