BOCC split on two large developments in NW Marion County

Martingale mix-used application image. [Photo courtesy Marion County]

The Marion County Board of County Commissioners reviewed two large development projects during its Nov. 19 meeting, both new planned unit developments in the northwest part of the county. One project got the green light while the other was denied.

Martingale mixed-use complex at US 27 & NW 70th Avenue approved

The board approved the Martingale mix-used application from Castro Plaza, LLC, and Austin International Realty, LLC, which involved a zoning change from general agriculture, community business and rural activity center to planned unit development, or PUD.

The project proposes a mix of commercial and residential units that will expand the current Golden Hills Shopping Center. It currently houses Horse & Hounds restaurant, Remington’s Prime Steakhouse and Darrell’s Diner, along with other shops and businesses. The center was remodeled in 2017 using a vernacular farmhouse design and that design was shown in the application materials for the new sections.

The Martingale project is comprised of 140 residential units—100 townhomes and 40 single-family homes—an amenity center with a pool, clubhouse, outdoor kitchen and walking trail, plus up to 100,000 square feet of commercial retail space behind the Golden Hills Shopping Center. The parcels total 43.62 acres at 6850 and 6998 North U.S. Hwy. 27, the southeast corner of the intersection with Northwest 70th Avenue, which is inside the county’s Urban Growth Boundary.

Additional fencing and buffers are planned, including split-rail fencing and stone that are proposed to enhance the equestrian feel of the area, which also houses the Ocala Breeders’ Feed & Supply store across U.S. Hwy. 27. The developers, part of the Castro family with long-term, strong ties to Marion County, want to lean into of the rural charm of the area.

The new project has a “pedestrian scale” and will be walkable for residents and shoppers. The developers hope to have outside events such as farmers’ markets and vendors along with retail shops that would benefit neighborhood residents and those who would drive in.

Speakers at the meeting who live near the area praised the development and only expressed concerns about construction traffic and its possible effects on their horses and other livestock.

Ocala Horse Alliance President Ellie Trueman, who lives south of Northwest 35th St., initially was opposed to the project in the Oct. 28 Planning & Zoning meeting, citing concerns about traffic, accident fatalities in the area and the potential impacts on the quality of life for nearby residents. At the BOCC meeting, she expressed approval overall and relief that Northwest 35th Street would not allow egress in or out of the project. The developers added a new opaque fence buffering the residential homes at the southeast corner of the parcel.

Currently, Northwest 35th Street, on the south end of the parcels, is a dirt road. The county will be widening Northwest 70th Avenue to four lanes, and the sharp curve there near 35th Street will be somewhat straightened.
The board praised the development, calling it a “legacy project” that will enhance the equestrian feel of the area and citing it as an example of what they’d like to see more of. The board voted 5-0 to approve the zoning change.

NW 60th Avenue project denied for single-family development

The GUT Einhaus, LLC project was another residential development proposal for the northwest part of the county at 2486 NW 60th Ave., southeast of the Martingale development. The commission voted 3-2 to deny the zoning change after some heated pushback and discussion from the developer’s agent, David Tillman, who said county staff sent him last-minute requests and reports. Tillman handed out hard copy materials that were not included in the public record; only staff reports were shown.

The zoning change request was from general agriculture to PUD for 59.11 acres at 2486 NW 60th Ave., south of the Stancil farm properties that currently run cattle on the parcels surrounding it. The project proposed 213 single-family units of one- and two-story styles, and a density of up to four units per acre with an estimated 783 residents living in the community. Designs shown would be on 40-foot-wide lots with a dog park, sidewalks and drainage retention areas.

The development would be across from the Ocala Palms community and would be the first project of its kind on the west side of Northwest 60th Avenue and north of State Road 40. A previous version of the project was denied in 2021.

Commissioner Craig Curry was vehemently opposed to the project saying it was “the start of the fall of that area.” He suggested the larger parcels surrounding it “come to the table” first so the county can more comprehensively plan the development and interlock those neighborhoods in a more organic and traffic-friendly manner.

“This is a low bar,” Curry said, and he reminded all that the county and board are “not required to approve” every application it sees.

Chairperson Kathy Bryant was also opposed to the idea saying, “This is the domino and once it’s pushed down, all the others go with it” to the detriment of that part of the county. We keep saying yes to these (types of projects) over and over, she added.

The county staff recommendation of denial was based partly on the parcel being landlocked, with the only access provided on Northwest 60th Avenue. Surrounding parcels would not allow traffic access from the north, west or south. The project was also cited as incompatible with current uses of surrounding properties.

The board voted 3-2 to deny the zoning change.