Ocala City Council Meeting - September 14, 2026

The Ocala City Council convened on Monday, September 14, 2026, at 10:30 AM (UTC). The meeting covered several land use and zoning items, including a conceptual subdivision, flood damage ordinance amendments, repeal of the local business tax program, and multiple rezoning requests. Council members present: Mr. Carlot, Mr. London, Mr. McDonald, Mr. Lopez, and Ms. Campbell. Absent: Mr. Branson, Mr. Nieseman, Mr. Jenkins. A quorum was declared.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes: Motion to approve the August 10, 2026 meeting minutes. Vote: unanimous (5-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Oakrest Park Conceptual Subdivision: No public comment.
• Flood Damage Ordinance (Ord 2026-XX): No public comment.
• Business Tax Repeal (Ord 2026-XX): No public comment.
• Rezoning 6A/7A (Parcel 23320-005-05): No public comment.
• ZON 26-0013 (Institutional Rezoning): No public comment.
• ZON 26-0016 (B2 Rezoning): No public comment.
• General Public Comments: None.

Discussion Items

• Oakrest Park Conceptual Subdivision (SUB 25-0014): Presentation by Karen Cup, Growth Management Department. The plan is for 78 single-family lots on 24.72 acres (R1AA zoning). A traffic statement showed 77 peak-hour trips (below the 100-trigger for a Traffic Impact Analysis). Sidewalks required along NE 28th Street. Lots 32-41 are encumbered by a Duke Energy/Florida Power easement – no permanent structures allowed. Council questioned student generation; Indira Majivaran (Chief Planning Official) calculated 8.346 elementary, 3.354 middle, and 5.538 high school students. Motion to approve carried unanimously (4-0).
• Flood Damage Ordinance (Ord 2026-XX): Sean Lanier, City Engineer, explained minor amendments to sections 90-2, 90-20, and 82-33 regarding Letter of Map Change, market value definition, repetitive flood damage, and cumulative substantial improvement. Changes requested by Florida Department of Emergency Management to align with state model. Motion to approve carried unanimously (4-0).
• Agenda Item 5B: Ordinance 2027-XX – postponed to next meeting (motion carried 4-0).
• Repeal of Local Business Tax Program (Ord 2026-XX): Growth Management Director presented. The program, enacted 1995, has not been updated; less than 40% of estimated 12,000+ businesses comply; revenues declining ($425K in 2023, $403K in 2024, $374K in 2025). Enforcement costs $60K-$100K annually. State law restricts fee increases and requires an equity study commission. Several other Florida jurisdictions have repealed similar programs (Leesburg 2020, Lucia County 2024, Sarasota County 2024, Claremont 2025). Motion to approve carried unanimously (4-0).
• Rezoning 6A/7A (Parcel 23320-005-05): David Sablon, Planner, presented a two-part request to eliminate a 2008 Developer's Agreement and rezone from B1A to B1. Property at 5203 SW 20th St was originally a single-family home, later vacant. Developer's Agreement prohibited alcohol sales and memorialized 2008 B1A restrictions. Terminating the agreement allows alcohol sales, permits church use by right, and removes the 6,000 sq ft maximum building size. Rezoning to B1 permits additional uses (pharmacy, fruit/veg stands, full-service gas station by special exception). Agent Davis Dinkins noted the owner's intent is to resolve outdated restrictions; any alcohol sales would still require council review. No public comment. Motion to terminate Developer's Agreement (PH 26-0004) carried unanimously (4-0). Motion to rezone (ZON 26-0015) carried unanimously (4-0).
• ZON 26-0013 (Institutional Rezoning): Brea Miller, Planner, presented rezoning of 13.34 acres at 2015/2141 NE 14th St from R1A/Institutional/RO to Institutional for a church. The property has split zoning; rezoning will eliminate split. Staff noted the existing RO parcel has an unoccupied single-family residence that will become non-conforming (must be removed or used as accessory to church/school). Agent Dinkins confirmed the church intends to develop sanctuary and possibly gymnasium/daycare. Staff clarified the residential use must cease but the structure can be repurposed with site plan approval. No public comment. Motion to approve carried unanimously (4-0).
• ZON 26-0016 (B2 Rezoning): Presentation by Brea Miller. Rezoning 1.11 acres at NE 8th Road from R3 Multifamily Residential and B4 General Business to B2 (Community Business). Purpose is to eliminate split zoning and reduce commercial intensity. Property includes a structure originally built 1923, later converted to non-residential. The change to B2 is consistent with surrounding mixed-use development. No public comment. Motion to approve carried unanimously (4-0).

Key Outcomes

• All votes were unanimous (4-0; 5-0 for minutes).
• Items approved: August 10, 2026 minutes; Oakrest Park Conceptual Subdivision (SUB 25-0014); Flood Damage Ordinance (Ord 2026-XX); Repeal of Local Business Tax Program (Ord 2026-XX); Termination of Developer's Agreement (PH 26-0004); Rezoning to B1 (ZON 26-0015); Institutional Rezoning (ZON 26-0013); Rezoning to B2 (ZON 26-0016).
• Postponed: Ordinance 2027-XX (agenda item 5B) to next meeting.
• Next meeting scheduled: October 12, 2026.
• Council member expressed opposition to potential school consolidation affecting Oak Crest Elementary and Wyomina Park Elementary, highlighting that new development may increase school enrollment.