More Ocala residents wrote in and shared their concerns about the city’s continued growth and how it affects traffic and local wildlife:
“I agree 100% about too much building and too many people moving to Ocala and Marion County. The traffic on Highway 200, Highway 40, Highway 301, and Highway 441 has become unbearable. Too many cars, trucks, and accidents,” says Ocala resident Kay Voge.
“We don’t need any more houses in Silver Springs Shores. It’s becoming Marion Oaks. They’re chasing away the wildlife and it’s getting ridiculous. They’re tearing down our woods,” says Sonja Ritter, Ocala resident.
“As a new resident to Ocala, I am disappointed at the number of new construction happening around the area, especially around SW 60th. I was aware of two new communities being built before I bought my home which was a resale. Since the purchase of my home in May 2021, I see another community being built as well. All of these communities will be utilizing SW 60 heading to, and spilling onto, 200 College Road. None of us need engineering degrees to know that 200 is already over capacity with very heavy traffic which is getting worse. I am a horse owner and moved to Ocala to be closer to what Ocala is noted for: being the Horse Capital of the U.S. Now I am not so sure I made the right move coming from the southwest. The city council needs to take a deep breath and a step back to reevaluate what is happening in Ocala as a direct result of the number of zoning variances being approved by them. Even taking a different approach and not taking into consideration what has made Ocala so beautiful and desirable. The city council and the zoning department have not taken into consideration the lack of infrastructure needed to accommodate building projects of this size and scope,” says Ocala resident Joe Alberti.
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