A property owner is seeking approval to rezone over two dozen acres along S U.S. Highway 441 in Ocala to pave the way for a new, 173-lot RV park and manufactured home development.
The request is scheduled for review by the Marion County Planning & Zoning Commission during its upcoming meeting on Monday, July 27.
MBV Engineering Inc., acting on behalf of property owner Copper Penny Farms LLC, submitted the rezoning application for a 31.37-acre parcel located at 7400 South US Highway 441 (S. Pine Avenue).
The applicant is requesting to rezone 26.05 acres of the property from Community Business (B-2) and General Agriculture (A-1) to Recreational Vehicle Park (P-RV).
According to conceptual plans submitted to Marion County Growth Services, the proposed development, which is tentatively named the SR 441 Small Retail and RV Park, would feature 133 RV spaces alongside 40 park model or manufactured home lots.
The site layout centers around a large retention pond bounded by internal access roads, an administrative office building situated near the front entrance, and a dedicated 1.5-acre water and wastewater treatment area.
Additionally, the plan incorporates two commercial outparcels fronting S US Hwy 441 while retaining an existing single-family residence currently located on the property.
Marion County planning staff recommends approval of the rezoning application. In their report, staff notes that the project is compatible with adjacent commercial, industrial, and agricultural uses along the corridor, and that the site is in close proximity to the Santos Trailhead on the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway.
A traffic impact analysis submitted with the request indicates that the 173-unit layout would generate roughly 801 daily vehicle trips onto S U.S. Hwy 441. County traffic counts show the corridor currently carries approximately 30,000 vehicles daily, remaining below its adopted capacity limit of 38,430 daily trips.
Because the site lies within both the Urban Growth Boundary and the Primary Springs Protection Zone, any site development will require adherence to specific stormwater and environmental management guidelines prior to construction.
The Marion County Planning & Zoning Commission will consider the request and take public input during its meeting on Monday, July 27.
As an advisory board, although the commission will make a formal recommendation, the final determination on the rezoning request will be made by the Marion County Board of County Commissioners at a later date.
What are your thoughts on a proposed RV and manufactured home park along S U.S. 441? Share your perspective in a comment below or write a letter to the editor.