A Marion County division focused on increasing the availability of affordable housing in the area is asking Ocala officials to rezone a 15.46-acre property from single-family residential to multi-family residential to expand the potential uses of the site for the potential development of affordable housing.
The rezoning request from the Housing Finance Authority of Marion County will be introduced into public record during a first reading at the Ocala City Council’s regular meeting on Tuesday, December 3.
According to city records, the property is owned by Central Florida Community Land Trust, Inc. and is situated approximately 900 feet northwest of the intersection of SW College Road and SW 20th Court.
The property is comprised of two parcels that are currently undeveloped. According to city records, one of the parcels was split off from a city-owned parcel in 2017 and sold. The other, larger parcel was previously utilized as a solid waste landfill that ceased operations in 2013.
The property has since been donated to Habitat for Humanity.
Although the site will likely require “remediation for groundwater and soil contamination” because of its prior use as a landfill, city staff made note in their report that it is surrounded by other, mixed residential development.
Accordingly, staff believes the proposed rezoning would not “negatively impact the surrounding area as it abuts both existing single-family and multi-family development.”
The R-3, multi-family residential rezoning classification allows for several additional permitted use types.
Additionally, any future site development would be subject to prior site plan review, regardless of whether it consists of multi-family or single-family housing.
The staff report goes on to conclude that the proposed rezoning would expand the permitted residential categories, is compatible with recent neighborhood development patterns, and is consistent with the Neighborhoods District of the West Ocala Vision and Community Plan, the Comprehensive Plan, and the City’s Code of Ordinances.
The Housing Finance Authority of Marion County was formed in 1980 to unite both “public and private entities to serve all areas within the county, as authorized by Chapter 159 Part IV of Florida Statutes,” according to a statement from the organization’s website. “Our main goal as the HFA is to help families and individuals in Marion County by helping with affordable housing options.”
The HFA board is comprised of five members who are appointed by the Marion County Board of County Commissioners.
Earlier this year, the HFA established the Central Florida Community Land Trust to maintain and acquire land and rental units within Marion County that will “stay affordable for 99+ years,” according to the organization’s website.
Ocala City Council next meets on Tuesday, December 3, at 4 p.m. at City Hall, which is located at 110 SE Watula Avenue in downtown Ocala. The ordinance will have a second and final reading and a vote for adoption during the council’s meeting on Tuesday, December 17.
The Ocala City Council regularly meets on the first and third Tuesday of every month at 4 p.m. at City Hall.
