An Ocala couple is petitioning county officials for permission to transform their nearly 12-acre residential property into a working mini-farm complete with bees, chickens, cattle, horses, and solar-powered barns.
Kevin and Barbara Marovich have filed an application for a Special Use Permit that would allow them to keep large farm animals and sell agricultural products at their home located at 7600 S. Magnolia Avenue.
The property, which spans approximately 11.78 acres, is currently zoned for Single-Family Dwellings (R-1), a classification that typically restricts intensive agricultural operations.
The proposal is scheduled to come before the Marion County Board of County Commissioners during its regular meeting on Tuesday, January 20.
According to documents submitted to the county, the couple hopes to maintain a variety of livestock on the land.
Their plan lists a maximum of 20 large animals including goats, sheep, cows, and horses, while explicitly excluding pigs.
Additionally, the couple intends to keep up to 40 chickens, though they have stated no roosters will be on site. They also plan to maintain up to 10 bee hives near Magnolia Avenue.
To support the operation, the applicants propose constructing open pole barns measuring 60-by-40 feet with a maximum height of 25 feet. In a nod to sustainability, the application indicates these structures, along with stalls and tack rooms, would be powered entirely by solar energy systems disconnected from the electrical grid.
The couple believes their agricultural approach, including the planting of trees and crops, will aid in soil retention and assist adjacent properties during heavy rains.
The request also addresses potential neighborhood concerns regarding noise and traffic. The applicants argue that the noise impact from their proposed livestock would be minimal, stating it would be “far less than the local Harley Davidson motorcycles and off-road vehicles frequently used by neighboring properties.”
They also say that traffic would be limited primarily to occasional delivery trucks during construction, utilizing an access point from SW 95th Avenue to reduce stress on the main road.
While the farm intends to produce crops and agricultural goods, the application clarifies that sales would be conducted through resources off-site, rather than a roadside stand on the property.
The Marion County Board of County Commissioners next meets on Tuesday, January 20, at 9 a.m. at the McPherson Governmental Complex (601 SE 25th Avenue, Ocala).