The Ocala City Council unanimously approved three critical measures last week, clearing the way for a major mixed-use development that will bring thousands of new residences and nearly one million square feet of commercial space to southwest Ocala.
On Tuesday, May 5, council members unanimously approved a comprehensive plan amendment, a rezoning request, and a Planned Development Plan and Standards Book for the new project, which is being spearheaded by KAS Ocala, LLC.
In total, the project covers approximately 251.09 acres located in the 3000 and 4000 to 4300 blocks of SW 43rd Court. It will introduce a high density mix of housing and commercial activity across four primary sections, starting with 100.50 acres designated for residential use that allows for a maximum of 18 units per acre for a total of up to 1,809 single family or multi family units.
Additionally, 65.63 acres are dedicated to up to 328 single family homes with a maximum density of five units per acre.
A flexible 28.13 acre commercial and residential zone provides for either 140 single family units, 506 multi family units, or 306,335 square feet of commercial and office space.
Finally, 54.70 acres are slated for up to 595,683 square feet of retail, office, and recreational space, including potential uses such as a sportsplex or outdoor event venue.
Combining the maximum allowances for each residential section, the project has the potential to add over 2,700 new housing units to the area.
Throughout the review process, both local and state officials scrutinized the project’s impact on the region’s infrastructure. The Florida Department of Transportation previously identified potential adverse impacts on State Road 200, State Road 40, and Interstate 75.
While the city approved a traffic study for the site on March 19, the department has requested ongoing intergovernmental coordination as the project reaches buildout.
Additionally, to address resident concerns regarding overdevelopment and the loss of natural buffers, the city imposed several protective conditions on the developer. According to the city staff memo, the developer will be required to provide 30-foot landscape buffers along the northern and southern boundaries, which is triple the standard 10 foot requirement.
The city has also established a 100-foot wide building height restriction area to limit structures to 35 feet near existing single family homes. An opaque fence will also be installed along the northern boundary adjacent to the Bear Track Ranch subdivision.
Other conditions of approval include the requirement of an aerial navigation easement due to the site’s proximity to the Ocala International Airport and the stipulation that the city provide all sanitation services for the new community.
The approval last week came just minutes after the Ocala City Council approved a separate request that will bring nearly 600 more homes to a different site in the city.
What are your thoughts on the new development coming to southwest Ocala? Share them in a comment below or, if you have more to say, write a letter to the editor.