The Marion County Planning and Zoning Commission recommended county approval for the development of an upscale housing project just south of Golden Ocala Golf and Equestrian Club. The plans call for 125 new homes across 505 acres.
The new housing development is between 80th Avenue and Northwest 100th Avenue just north of State Road 40 and south of US 27. The equestrian facility north of the residential project is also part of the overall development and will potentially include eight barns and four indoor arenas, as well as several rings for equestran jumping. There would be enough parking for approximately 1,000 cars, and an option for future residential development on the equestrian property may be a possibility.
The Planning and Zoning Commission ruled against the requirement that enhanced septic systems be installed for each home and instead recommends the acceptance of traditional, less expensive septic systems. The commission also recommended that the equestrian center just north of the property use central water and sewer services, which the developer has agreed to.
The developer's original plans called for 275 homes on the lot, but so many homes was a violation of density development and Farmland Preservation Area rules, so the number dropped to 125. This means that the new homes will be on lots that are at least a generous three acres.
In general, the community is in support of this project with slight concerns regarding increased traffic and environmental impact. For more information on what this means for Marion County as well as for more details on the project, be sure to read the full article at Ocala.com.
