Home Depot wants to build a new location in southwest Ocala at a site that was previously approved for an apartment complex opposed by residents in an adjacent retirement community.

A special use permit for the proposed site in southwest Ocala will come before the Marion County Board of County Commissioners during its regular meeting on Tuesday, November 18.

According to a county staff report, Home Depot Inc. filed the special use permit to allow for outdoor sales on a 13.25-acre portion of the 22.62-acre site in Ocala.

Although there is no address listed in county records, the staff memo indicates that the new site’s address is 8445 SW 80th Street in Ocala.

The site, which is owned by On Top of The World Communities, LLC (OTOW), was approved for the construction of hundreds of apartments in April 2024.

The field where the new Home Depot is sought
The empty lot was previously approved for the construction of hundreds of apartments

Although the property is currently zoned as planned unit development (PUD) in accordance with the previously proposed apartment complex, OTOW has asked to revert the zoning for the parcel from PUD to community business (B-2). That would enable Home Depot to build on the site.

A map of the subject property shows that the proposed site is just west of TownPlace Suites and just north of Cody’s Original Roadhouse.

Before the county approved the rezoning in April 2024, multiple OTOW residents shared sentiments in opposition to the proposed apartment complex.

Leading up to that meeting, those individuals created a website (NoRezoneOTOW.com) to gather signatures against the rezoning. That website is no longer in operation.

Apartments constructed by Continental Properties
After the site was rezoned to PUD, it was originally set to be developed into apartments constructed by Continental Properties. It had a proposed name of “Authentix Ocala.”

Many of the residents who opposed the apartment complex before it was approved suggested the multi-family housing would impede their access to nearby shopping and medical services. In fact, some proposed commercial alternatives for the site.

Home Depot operates over 2,300 stores across the nation, including approximately 163 locations in the state of Florida.

If the county approves the special use permit, the proposed Home Depot would be just the second location in all of Marion County.

The company’s only other store in the area is situated at 3300 SW 35th Terrace in Ocala, approximately seven miles northeast of the newly proposed location.

Are you in favor of the site being used for a new Home Depot in Ocala? Do you think the site should be used for the apartment complex for which it was approved?

Share your opinions with us in a comment or, if you have more to say on the topic, write a letter to the editor.

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