Several readers submitted letters to Ocala-News.com to share their thoughts on the topic of growth in Ocala/Marion County and its impact on the environment and local wildlife.
“I drive through Marion Oaks almost every day, and every time it is sad and painful to see all the devastation of trees throughout the area. The city should require that the builder leave some amount of trees on the property or require them to plant a certain amount in order to get a permit. In our gated community, it was mandatory for each property owner to choose one of the simple landscape packages which had one or two trees, depending on the size of the lot. Why couldn’t Marion County require the same thing from the builders in Marion Oaks that are building houses on much bigger lots? Just outside of our gate, I have seen deer, foxes, and the other day I saw a black bear going through a dumpster. So sad to see the animals getting lost in their own habitat,” says Elizabeth Brown, Ocala resident.
“I agree, there are so many buildings and homes coming in. Every corner, there is a gas station or car wash. I have lived here almost three years and I’m looking to move out of here. I have seen more crime, and animals that you normally don’t see are coming into town. Bears where they should not be. Their habitats are being destroyed. Can’t the developers stop building here? The traffic is horrible along with the traffic lights. Please everyone, watch who you vote for. This overbuilding has gotten out of hand,” says Ocala resident Regina Pickett.
“This is regarding a letter from Matilde Leopold. I feel her pain. I live in Dunnellon and I am afraid that the same might be happening here if growth is not controlled soon. I see more trees chopped and more construction. I moved to my community from Orlando, escaping construction and uncontrolled growth. I like the community where I moved because it appeared small and there were a lot of trees and nature, which I enjoy. The next morning after I moved, Adams Homes began chopping the trees that I enjoyed looking at diagonal to where I live, and they did not stop. I was upset. I talked to Adams and Deltona. They did not care about misplacing animals and taking care of the planet,” says Nilsa Escalera, Dunnellon resident.
“It seems that not only Marion Oaks has been bombarded with excessive development – my neighborhood, Rainbow Acres, is also suffering. We have had approximately 70 houses built in this neighborhood within the past two years, and many of them seem to be cookie cutter plans that all look the same. Not much concern from the builders for saving any trees or making use of the one-acre lots. Most of the houses are so close to the streets that you can barely park a full size automobile in the driveway. What a shame to allow this to happen in such a disorderly manner. It’s all about money and greed, not to mention we are still using the same garbage transfer site that was adequate before all this development. Now it is very difficult to get in and out of it on any given day. What about our County Planning committee, or do we even have one?” says Dunnellon resident Richard Mitchell.