The Ocala City Council approved a code amendment to permit above‑ground air‑curtain incinerators as an ancillary use at materials‑recovery facilities, adopting supplemental regulations that define the device and set operational limits.

Emily Johnson of the City of Ocala’s Growth Management Department said the ordinance defines an above‑ground air‑curtain incinerator as a stationary device that projects a curtain of air across a combustion chamber to contain combustion and limit visible emissions. Staff’s proposal establishes material limits for what may be burned, a minimum setback of 200 feet from residential zoning, dwelling units, churches, daycares, hospitals, or publicly accessible parks (100 feet for other property lines), requires a site plan and a written operations plan addressing fire prevention, emissions control and odor/dust mitigation, prohibits ground stockpiling of ash or residue, and limits unprocessed vegetative debris storage to "14" (the transcript does not specify a unit). Johnson also cited guidance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service that air‑curtain incinerators produce lower smoke emissions compared with open burning.

Fred Roberts and representatives for French Recycling, who participated in the discussion, supported a restrictive, transparent regulatory approach. Roberts praised the technology and emphasized safeguards and enforcement mechanisms in the draft ordinance.

Johnson told the council the amendment does not conflict with the cited Florida statute (referred to in the transcript as Florida statute chapter 2025‑190, formerly Senate Bill 180) that restricts more burdensome municipal rules within one year after a hurricane landfall; staff said the proposed amendment is not more restrictive and would allow a previously prohibited use. The council moved to approve the code amendment and recorded a unanimous roll call vote.