The owners of a 43.62-acre property in northwest Ocala hope to delay a final vote until next month on their request to build a new, mixed-use development with 100 townhomes, 40 single-family homes, and commercial space.
The rezoning request for the proposed “Martingale” development will come before the Marion County Board of County Commissioners during its regular meeting on Tuesday, November 19.
According to the county’s staff report, G. Matthew Brockway of Icard Merril, a Sarasota-based company, requested a continuance of the matter on behalf of his client, Castro Plaza and Austin International Realty.
The property is comprised of two parcels located at 6850 and 6998 N U.S. Hwy 27, just south of Castro Plaza in northwest Ocala. The request seeks to rezone the parcels from General Agriculture (A-1), Community Business (B-2), and Rural Activity Center (RAC), to Planned Unit Development (PUD).
The new development was first introduced to the Marion County Development Review Committee in September.
The conceptual plan for Martingale calls for the construction of 100 townhome and 40 single-family homes, as well as up to 100,000 square feet of commercial space.
Castro Plaza is currently home to several businesses, including the recently opened Remington’s Steakhouse, the Juniper Store, and Horse & Hounds Restaurant. It is located just a couple of miles northeast of the World Equestrian Center.
According to the application filed with the county, the new development is billed as a “family legacy project designed to create a distinctive sense of place.” As such, Martingale would be “walkable” and would have an “Ocala Equestrian Vernacular architecture,” according to the application.
The original master plan proposed two alternative layouts for the site, with the primary difference being a 17,000-square-foot event barn in the southwestern portion of the site. While one plan proposed the event barn, the alternative plan used that same space for additional townhomes.
The new conceptual plan shows the potential layout of the homes and several planned amenities, including a pond with an overlook and a walking trail. The commercial space shows several retail buildings around a “festival lawn” that could be used for events and gatherings.
Once developed, the Martingale common areas, signage, roads, stormwater management facilities, and other project infrastructure would be privately maintained by a property owners’ association.
The plaza and the land where the proposed Martingale development will sit are currently owned by Austin International Realty, Inc., a company based in New York that is registered to Bernadette Castro.
Known as the “Original Child Influencer,” Castro shot to national fame after starring in her father’s commercial promoting convertibles at his car dealership. She produced several songs in the 1960s and is a former Parks and Recreation Commissioner for the state of New York. She was also once a Republican nominee for Senator of New York.
The request for continuance should be accepted during the commission’s meeting, as county and city officials have a long history of accepting those types of requests. According to the county’s staff report, the group requested the continuance until the council’s meeting on December 17.
The Marion County Board of County Commissioners regularly meets on the first and third Tuesday of every month at the McPherson Governmental Complex (601 SE 25th Avenue, Ocala) at 9 a.m.
