A neighborhood in Ocala that was established over 25 years ago just received approval from city officials for its plans to build the final 592 homes as the last phase of its development.
On Tuesday, the Ocala City Council voted unanimously to approve a rezoning request and resolution for the for the plan to build the final phase of Heath Brook.
According to city records, the Heath Brook Development of Regional Impact (DRI) was originally approved in 1999.
Spearheaded by Mockingbird Ridge, LLC, the development plan for the final section calls for the construction of 592 single-family lots with a minimum width of 50 feet on 283.55 acres located west of Interstate 75 and north of SW 66th Street. The property is bordered by established residential developments to the north, south, and west, with I-75 forming the eastern boundary.
During Tuesday’s meeting, the developer’s representative, attorney Fred Roberts, Jr., indicated that although they had originally established a 25-foot buffer, they discovered a series of encroachments by property owners who have built fences or desks. Although the developer would be in its right to remove them, Roberts indicated that they will address the issue in a more creative way by reducing the buffer to 15 feet.
Only one resident spoke on the topic when comments were opened to the public. That resident, Dillon Kuhbander, said he had never attended a council meeting and that he wanted to learn more about the project.
“From the sounds of it, this was not a development proposal to get permission to develop that area. It was already approved, this was just narrowing down specifics on building density and things like that. So that was essentially the issue that I had wanted to speak on. I heard everything out and decided not to speak at that point,” said Kuhbander during the meeting.
No additional comments were rendered before the council voted unanimously to approve the related measures.
Despite the proposal facing some earlier opposition from local residents regarding traffic and wildlife habitats, in March, the Ocala Planning and Zoning Commission voted six to zero to recommend approval. Last month, the requests had their first reading and were introduced to the Ocala City Council.
The developer is also requesting a variation to the city’s standard open space requirements to maintain 25 percent open space, or approximately 70.59 acres, rather than the 40 percent typically required for single-use residential developments. Those 70 acres will be reserved for amenities specifically for residents of the development.
To manage infrastructure and community impact, the primary access for the neighborhood will be centered around SW 40th Avenue, which will eventually bisect the development and provide a connection to SW 66th Street. An additional access point is planned along Tartan Road, also known as SW 60th Street Road.
What are your thoughts on the final section of Heath Brook? Share your comments below or, if you have more to say, write a letter to the editor.