Ocala council approves rezoning to allow women’s recovery facility at Compassion United Methodist site

Ocala — The Ocala City Council voted 4-1 on Jan. 7 to adopt Ordinance 2025-1, rezoning a 4.63-acre parcel at 1712 Southeast Lake Weir Avenue (parcel 2920-010-008) from Institutional to B-2A Limited Community Business to allow a women’s transitional recovery facility to operate on the site.

The motion to adopt the ordinance cited staff findings of consistency with the city comprehensive plan and compatibility with surrounding uses. Council members Jay Musley, Jim Hilty and Eiry Bethea voted in favor; Council President Kristin Dreyer voted no.

City planning director Aubrey Hill summarized staff findings, saying the property’s future land use is “low intensity” and that the B-2A zoning would allow commercial office and limited commercial uses while permitting continuation of the existing church use. Hill told council that “there are also adequate public facilities to service the proposed development,” and recommended approval based on those findings.

The applicant’s attorney, Tim Haines of Grama and Haines, and representatives from Open Arms Village presented the request and emphasized differences between the proposed facility and other low-barrier shelters in the city. Haines told council, “If I thought what Open Arms was going to do at this facility was going to become anything like…