Ocala Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting – August 10, 2026

The Ocala Planning & Zoning Commission met on August 10, 2026, at 5:30 PM in City Hall Council Chambers. The board considered three main items: a conceptual subdivision for a townhome development, a code amendment to the affordable housing loan program, and a rezoning for a proposed medical office building. All items were approved, with one dissenting vote on the subdivision.

Consent Calendar

• Unanimously approved the minutes from the July 13, 2026 meeting (7-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• On the rezoning (PD26-0002): Several residents from the Fisher Park neighborhood and surrounding areas spoke in opposition. Their concerns included:
  • Increased flooding and stormwater runoff, noting that Fisher Park is designated as an AE flood zone and has experienced severe flooding in the past.
  • Traffic hazards on SE 24th Street, particularly a blind hill, existing speeding issues, and dangers to children walking or biking in the area.
  • The loss of rights under a PD zoning compared to PUD-RO, fearing less control over development.
  • Lack of adequate notification; some residents stated they did not receive mailed notices.
• No public comments were made on the subdivision or the code amendment.

Discussion Items

• Kinward at Heathbrook Conceptual Subdivision (SUB26-0009): Staff presented a proposed 146-unit townhome subdivision on 32.22 acres, with 92 units in phase one and 54 in phase two. The project had previously received PD zoning on May 19, 2026. Board member Allison Campbell provided school capacity information, noting Winding Oaks Elementary was at 80% capacity the prior year and anticipated 87% capacity for the upcoming year. The board approved the subdivision 6-1, with Vice Chairman Tamboura Jenkins voting nay.
• Code Amendment – Ordinance 2026-27: Planning Director Aubrey Hale presented changes to Chapter 106, Section 105 (Housing Incentive Fund). The amendment extends loan terms from a maximum of five years to up to 10 years for short-term loans (near 0% interest) and up to 30 years for long-term loans (tied to U.S. prime rate) when used in conjunction with federal, state, or local housing programs. It also provides administrative authority to the City Manager for final loan document signatures. Staff noted the fund is heavily used for affordable housing projects. The board voted unanimously to approve.
• Rezoning and PD Plan (PD26-0002) for New Ocala MOB LLC: Staff presented a request to rezone 4.26 acres at 325 SE 24th Street from PUD-RO to PD, with an associated PD Plan and Standards Book. The proposed development is a 21,000-square-foot medical office building (confirmed as Florida Cancer Specialists) with 82 peak-hour trips per the ITE handbook. One variance was requested from code Section 12237 for off-street parking setbacks due to an adjacent R1-zoned property. Staff noted a minor typo in buffer labeling that would be corrected prior to City Council. The applicant, Fred Roberts, emphasized the low-intensity use, enhanced buffering (25-foot planted buffer on the south, 25-foot natural vegetation on east and west, 7.5-foot buffer on north), and the building's 25-foot height (compared to 35 feet allowed under prior zoning). Board members discussed the transitional nature of the site and consistency with the city's 2050 plan. Public comments were in opposition. The board approved the rezoning and PD plan unanimously with conditions as presented by staff. Additionally, the board recommended (by unanimous vote) that the second reading before City Council be moved from October 6 to October 20, 2026, at the applicant's request.

Key Outcomes

• Subdivision (SUB26-0009): Approved 6-1 (Jenkins dissenting). The developer will be required to enter into a developer's agreement before final plat.
• Code Amendment (Ordinance 2026-27): Approved unanimously (7-0). Will go to City Council for final adoption.
• Rezoning and PD Plan (PD26-0002): Approved unanimously (7-0) for both the rezoning ordinance and the PD resolution, subject to staff conditions including correction of buffer type labels. The second hearing before City Council was recommended for October 20, 2026.
• Next meeting: September 14, 2026.