Ocala Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting - July 13, 2026

The Ocala Planning & Zoning Commission met on Monday, July 13, 2026, beginning at 5:30 PM in City Hall Council Chambers. The board considered seven quasi-judicial items, including an abrogation, land use changes, and rezoning requests. All items were approved except for one abstention on the abrogation condition re-vote. The meeting concluded with staff and board comments regarding future meeting schedules and training opportunities.

Approval of Minutes

• The minutes from the June 8, 2026 meeting were approved unanimously (5-0, with three members absent: Justin MacDonald, Thaddius Neasman, and Allison Campbell).

Discussion Items

• ABR25-0003: Abrogation of Rights-of-Way (Magnolia Extension LLC): The board initially approved the abrogation without conditions (vote 5-1, with Kevin Lopez dissenting). After a procedural correction, the board then voted unanimously (6-0) to add the staff-recommended conditions requiring the applicant to assume maintenance of sewer lines and convert a street light to a yard light.
• ZON25-0008: Rezoning to M-1 Light Industrial (Magnolia Extension LLC): Approved unanimously (6-0) to rezone 5.93 acres at 314 and 28 NW 14th Street and 1332 NW Magnolia Terrace from M-1/B-4 to M-1, consistent with existing low intensity land use. The applicant indicated no immediate plans but wants to unify zoning for future expansion.
• LUC26-0002 & ZON26-0007: Land Use Change and Rezoning for City-Owned Disaster Debris Site (1700 block NW MLK Jr Ave, ~11.20 acres): The commission approved both items unanimously (6-0 each). The future land use changes from Medium Intensity/Special District to Public, and the zoning changes from M-2/M-3 to GU. The city intends to use the three contiguous parcels as a disaster debris management site, with potential future drainage retention expansion.
• LUC26-0005: Land Use Change to Public (700 block NW 14th Street, 0.52 acres): Approved unanimously (6-0) to change from Neighborhood to Public for a city-owned parcel used for disaster debris management, surrounded by other public-designated parcels.
• ZON26-0012: Rezoning to Government Use (700/800 blocks NW 14th Street et al., ~9.94 acres): Approved with a 5-1 vote (Tamboura Jenkins dissenting). The four city-owned parcels (three already public land use, one just changed) were rezoned from R-2 to GU. Commissioner Jenkins expressed concern about proximity to residential areas and potential noise from debris operations.
• ZON26-0006: Rezoning to B-1 Neighborhood Business (1501 NW 14th Street, 3.23 acres): Approved unanimously (6-0) to rezone from GU to B-1 for a property housing a radio tower and building owned by WOCA Radio. The applicant plans to possibly relocate their studio there. One public commenter (Anthony Collins, resident at 1425 NW 16th Court) expressed concerns about noise, traffic, and hours of operation.
• ZON26-0010: Rezoning to M-2 Medium Industrial (1700 block NE 18th Place, 3.05 acres): Approved unanimously (6-0) to rezone from M-1 to M-2 to eliminate split zoning on a parcel (owned by Ben Katz via representative Matthew Payne). The change allows more outdoor storage (no 20% limit) and aligns with surrounding industrial development.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Anthony Collins (resident at 1425 NW 16th Court) spoke during public comment for ZON26-0006, asking about operating hours, traffic, and potential events at the proposed radio station studio. He noted his bedroom is less than 300 feet from the building.

Key Outcomes

• Approvals: All seven agenda items were approved with the following votes:
  • ABR25-0003: First motion (without conditions) passed 5-1; second motion (with conditions) passed 6-0.
  • ZON25-0008, LUC26-0002, ZON26-0007, LUC26-0005, ZON26-0006, ZON26-0010: Each passed unanimously (6-0).
  • ZON26-0012: Passed 5-1 (Tamboura Jenkins dissenting).
• Next Steps: Cases will be presented to the Ocala City Council on a schedule provided after each case. The next P&Z meeting is scheduled for August 10, 2026, but staff noted it may be canceled if only one pending case. Staff also announced potential changes to board structure, term lengths, and training opportunities.