More apartments slated for southwest 200 Corridor

During their August 8 meeting, the Ocala Planning & Zoning Commission gave Thompson Thrift Development, Inc. their green light for a zoning change from community business and office park to R-3, multi-family residential for a second apartment development northwest of the intersection of SW 48^th Avenue and SW 48^th Road, near the Florida Cancer Center.

Thompson Thrift Development, Inc. is an Indiana-based commercial land developer “specializing in mixed-use focusing on multifamily, grocery anchored shopping centers, and industrial projects,” according to its website.

The site approved by the commission is Phase 2 of a project that proposes 264 units on 18.24 acres.

Phase 1, now named Canter on the company’s website, is already under construction to build 320 apartments on 23.19 acres for a parcel just north of phase 2. It’s listed on the Thompson Thrift website, as a “Class A” luxury apartment community, consisting of two-story garden style buildings of one-, two- and three-bedroom units along with community amenities including a “…clubhouse, swimming pool, 24-hour fitness center, community gardens, dog spas, and more.”

Combined, both projects will equal 584 apartments.

Next stop for phase 2 is consideration by Ocala City Council, on September 6.

The zoning change requires a traffic study (and any required mitigation) from the developer and would connect SW 48th Road to SW 52nd St to the west.

With both developments in the works, the projected impact on public schools will affect Saddlewood Elementary, Liberty Middle School and West Port High School.

*Source: Marion County Public Schools

**The capacity school figures were available as of June, 2022 and do not reflect any portable classrooms that were added during the summer.