Ocala Board of Adjustment Meeting - July 20, 2026

The Ocala Board of Adjustment met on July 20, 2026 at 5:30 PM to consider a Special Exception application for a professional and business office in an R-3 multi-family residential zone. The board also approved routine items and heard public comment. After deliberation, the board voted to continue the application to the September meeting to allow the applicant to address parking and site plan deficiencies.

Consent Calendar

• Proof of publication was acknowledged for the meeting notice posted at City Hall and published in the Ocala Gazette on July 3, 2026.
• The minutes from the April 20, 2026 meeting were approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• John Campbell, a resident and property owner of duplexes on 8th Avenue and Third Street, expressed concerns about increased traffic density, parking congestion, and emergency vehicle access in the area. He opposed additional parking on Third Street.
• Samantha Ramirez, agent for applicant Izoluc, LLC, stated the proposed use is a low-traffic office with scheduled appointments, four employees, and no heavy vehicles. She indicated willingness to adjust the site plan and noted previous conceptual plans were discussed with staff.

Discussion Items

• Staff presented the Special Exception request for a professional and business office at the corner of Northeast Sanchez Avenue and Northeast Third Street. The existing single-family residence and accessory dwelling unit (constructed 1938) would be reused. Staff recommended denial due to inadequate parking (4 spaces provided vs. 6 required), tandem parking that blocks ADA access, lack of safe ingress/egress, insufficient buffering from adjacent residential properties, and incompatibility with the surrounding area.
• Board members questioned staff on parking requirements, setback restrictions, ADA compliance, emergency access, and the possibility of a parking reduction under Section 122-1016. Staff clarified that a new access point might be possible but would require engineering review.
• Board members expressed support for the office use but criticized the current site plan as a "hodgepodge" and noted the need for a proper civil engineer-designed layout. They suggested the applicant could use the side yard for parking with a new access point.
• Applicant's agent confirmed that other conceptual plans were previously discussed but not submitted for this hearing. She requested feedback and expressed willingness to work with a civil engineer and the city.

Key Outcomes

• The board voted unanimously (6-0, with one member absent) to continue the application to the September Board of Adjustment meeting to allow the applicant to revise the site plan.
• Conditions for reconsideration include addressing parking deficiencies, ADA compliance, safe circulation, and adequate buffering.
• The August 17, 2026 meeting will be cancelled, and the next meeting is scheduled for September.