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Marion County retains prime-farmland language, explores using open-space fees for sensitive lands and clarifies specimen-tree rules
Summary
During the May 1 comprehensive-plan workshop commissioners asked staff to restore prime-soils language to the conservation element, approved language allowing use of the county's open-space fee-in-lieu program for acquisition of environmentally sensitive resources, and directed that specimen-tree definitions be set in the Land Development Code.
Marion County commissioners agreed May 1 to preserve language protecting prime farmland and soils in the draft conservation element and to allow the county to use its open-space fee-in-lieu funds to acquire environmentally sensitive and locally important lands.
Blair Knighton, county staff leading the comprehensive-plan review, said staff would add back a provision requested by parks staff ("Mr. Bridal") to keep soils and prime farmland protections in the conservation element. Knighton also said the draft now includes a new policy stating the county may use funds from the open-space fee-in-lieu program to acquire prioritized environmentally sensitive properties.
Commissioners discussed a planned land swap involving Independence Park and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Jim Coolard, parks and recreation director, described the DEP interest in incorporating the 40-acre parcel into the county's Greenway and resource-management system. Coolard said the state has indicated it would require a five-year implementation plan before providing funding and that the swap would shift the parcel toward resource-based management rather than the larger, active-sports complex once envisioned.
"The state's already told us if we do this, they're gonna wanna see a five-year plan of when it's gonna get constructed and everything," Coolard said, noting funding and timetable would need to be prioritized.
Board members asked that specimen-tree protections referenced in the draft comp plan be defined in the Land Development Code to create enforceable standards at permitting. Knighton said staff would draft LDC definitions and return the conservation redlines for further review.
No formal land acquisition or swap was approved; the discussion identified priorities and constraints and directed staff to refine language and cost/prioritization work to support future decisions.
