[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6631602,"mediaKeyId","2679733-def5c6eca901081ea5b3e0c61804883f","parentId",2679733,"title","Board approves Melody Preserve rezoning; developer to dedicate right‑of‑way and extend shared path","audioSeconds",1760,"startMs",12360000,"endMs",14120000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2679733-def5c6eca901081ea5b3e0c61804883f&start=12360&end=14120","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2679733-def5c6eca901081ea5b3e0c61804883f/thumbnail_12360000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6631602/Marion-County/Florida/Board-approves-Melody-Preserve-rezoning-developer-to-dedicate-rightofway-and-extend-shared-path","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6631602-4e4713a05840626696ec5bd826482b73/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161155&Signature=VoLJCs3oPOn-7i-j5bofJqB5OCtgOFnkElr0lhIGCdXAs1e1XWxzR2ivw06GqvEvZRpp8F6MFv4xdwc4almf-NCiCjaxthMuU0s~7nSmxl0fOJPxnUgh0RiG~kDofFz8kzej40AXw~nknwdJJ5pbKZ8h8uPn-kWOX6h6MpU5oX3inFejpfubBi3ToHxKype5Pvtpn7LTAWQhMxngLysxaFbtYwdDI5LD7DH6K~JH7msQgOLqCEkYJO8b6AdtWMC6wLcTcHZl3-iq1181SkgbvnX4gU9PdRDeO6h3oPSJYM-RL0~0OTt2YDMRLGv2DzQuEEsBbu-xlJjp1QTK19DInQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Marion County","date","2025-03-18T00:00:00Z","article","The Marion County Board of County Commissioners on March 18 approved a rezoning and planned‑unit‑development amendment to create Melody Preserve, a single‑family, age‑restricted neighborhood annexed into the Bay Laurel PUD. The board voted unanimously to adopt the amendment after staff presentations and a developer briefing.

What the board approved

The developer asked the board to annex roughly 44.25 acres into the existing Bay Laurel PUD (also known as Bay Laurel / Waybourn Landing), to reallocate entitlements already approved for Bay Laurel and to create a single‑family neighborhood called Melody Preserve. The applicant said the change does not increase the total number of units authorized in the Bay Laurel PUD — it reallocates those entitlements to the newly annexed parcel.

Key project particulars

The Melody Preserve site is near the intersection of Southwest Eightieth Avenue and Southwest Eightieth Street and is proposed as an age‑restricted single‑family community. The applicant proposed 161 units on the newly annexed parcel and 233 total units within the Melody Preserve area when combined with existing PUD land already in Bay Laurel. County staff said the annexed parcel works out to about 3.6 units per acre.

Conditions and transportation requirements

As a condition of approval, the board required dedication of additional right‑of‑way on Southwest Eightieth Street so the county can ultimately achieve a 120‑foot right‑of‑way for the corridor; staff and the applicant will finalize the form of conveyance (fee simple or easement) acceptable to the county engineer. Commissioners also adopted a condition that a shared‑use path or multi‑use trail be extended along the site’s Southwest Eightieth Street frontage to improve pedestrian and golf‑cart connectivity to adjacent On Top of the World amenities; staff and the applicant agreed to study the safest alignment and the county engineer will review crossing design for any golf‑cart or bicycle connections.

Public safety and utilities

County staff advised the board that some nearby fire‑suppression and transport (ambulance) units are operating at high utilization and that additional fire suppression and transport capacity may be warranted as the area grows. Staff noted the Melody Preserve area will be served by Marion County utilities (water and sewer) and that the project will follow concurrency and impact‑fee rules; the applicants indicated they may seek impact‑fee credits for right‑of‑way and other improvements.

Planning context and board discussion

Staff and the applicant emphasized that no new residential entitlements are being added countywide; rather, the motion reallocates Bay Laurel PUD entitlements onto the annexed Melody Preserve parcel. Planning staff concluded the amendment meets the county’s comprehensive‑plan criteria for consistency, compatibility and public interest. Commissioners asked transportation and engineering staff to review operational analyses and to verify pedestrian and golf‑cart crossing safety at the proposed connections to Southwest Eightieth Street.

Outcome

The board approved the PUD amendment and rezoning unanimously and asked county engineering and growth‑services staff to finalize technical conditions such as right‑of‑way conveyance language, the multi‑use path alignment, and traffic‑study follow‑up before the applicant’s major site‑plan review.

Speakers

Jessica Iserman — Attorney for On Top of the World Communities (applicant)
Ken Metcalfe — Planning representative for applicant
Robert Stepp — On Top of the World Communities representative
Chris Bridal — County staff member (growth services/planning)
Amber Gardner/Stephen Cahoon — County engineering staff (transportation/PER follow‑up)

Clarifying details

Annexed acreage: 44.25 acres (approximate) added into Bay Laurel PUD boundary.
Unit counts: 161 units proposed on the new annexed parcel; 233 units overall for Melody Preserve when parcel is combined with adjacent PUD lands; total Bay Laurel entitlements unchanged (2,951 units authorized previously across the PUD).
Right‑of‑way: Board required additional right‑of‑way dedication along Southwest Eightieth Street sufficient for a future 120‑foot cross‑section; form of conveyance to be determined by county engineer.
Multi‑use path: Board required an extension of a shared‑use path along Eightieth Street; exact alignment and any golf‑cart crossing designs will be approved by the county engineer following an operational traffic study.

Ending

County staff will work with the applicant to finalize right‑of‑way conveyance, the traffic‑study deliverables and the multi‑use path design before permit and final site‑plan approvals. The board’s action reallocates, but does not add, residential entitlements for the Bay Laurel PUD.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Marion County - Board of County Commissioners on 2025-03-18 9:00 AM - Mar 18, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Marion County Board of County Commissioners on March 18 approved a rezoning and PUD amendment to create Melody Preserve, an age‑restricted single‑family neighborhood, by annexing roughly 44 acres into the Bay Laurel PUD and reallocating existing entitlements.","taxTitle","Marion County, Florida","taxId",4897,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6631607,"Commissioners continue proposed building‑permit exemptions after industry asks for more review",103,2765000,2868000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2679733-def5c6eca901081ea5b3e0c61804883f&start=2765&end=2868","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2679733-def5c6eca901081ea5b3e0c61804883f/thumbnail_2765000.jpg","/articles/6631607/Marion-County/Florida/Commissioners-continue-proposed-buildingpermit-exemptions-after-industry-asks-for-more-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6631607-e9ddce283118ecf8667c96b3f4b7ac21/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161155&Signature=i5IJmD2FbIQIfxx8u0ryNMAdA8-qjhI6tBGuRcOyc-14QH9FpHfSBrvym7lGzk6eDwBIRFladg1xfANKa8TYYEcMOVqKENMcDCBHrD3RCEqqgUGjNO8kIv3uT2xJ5pPyPRZi1yZLWThCe8LHEbSAQaD7--XMDKRgJfXF6sh9GCPvdbdMVgtjLEKe-OsP7OIs0ESDQk-4bO8V2Io3X-LQGixiNioEQcoMgFOowJXJXYt49MiagWhbn1yg8WdLt8nWEohxkT6O7DFCHYn7sJQvzX-YvxvRo2qpiEv03eVSCETrsMVIyW7nPflBTd-wNpZvOzZUhf1WhUKrhg6ObUqWbA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Marion County Board of County Commissioners on March 18 agreed to continue a proposed ordinance that would expand building‑permit exemptions for small repairs and prefabricated structures and raise certain wind‑load thresholds.

Chief Assistant County Attorney Dana Oleske opened the public hearing by describing the ordinance as a revisit of earlier 2020 exemptions. Oleske said the draft removes duplicate floodplain language already in the Florida Building Code and would exempt prefabricated temporary structures “up to 68 square feet” from permitting. She also noted the draft does not contain specific language to waive permit or inspection fees and recommended that the board add a sentence to permit future fee waivers by resolution if it wanted that flexibility.

Why it mattered: Building‑permit exemptions were intended to reduce low‑risk permitting burden for typical homeowner repairs and small accessory structures. Builders and contractors urged clearer wording and asked staff for one more review to ensure the new language would be implementable and not create unintended legal or enforcement gaps.

Industry pushback and board action

Mike Savage, the county’s building safety director, said the draft ordinance is the product of about four years’ work and is intended to eliminate the previous “exemption form” process and instead list, as a bulleted set, the work that does not require permits. He highlighted examples that would be exempt, including like‑for‑like water‑heater replacements and other small repairs, and said the change was designed to reduce inspections for non‑life‑safety work.

Representatives of the Marion County Building Industry Association (MCBIA) asked the board to postpone action for 30 days to allow the association to review the proposed language and to meet with staff. Denise Alexander, the association’s executive officer, said one meeting already was scheduled but some members could not attend that session.

Commissioner input and enforcement questions

Commissioners asked staff to include clear language on “like‑for‑like” work; Savage said the draft borrows and adapts a like‑for‑like definition used by the City of Ocala. Commissioners also raised complaints about construction‑site dumpsters and off‑site household dumping into contractor dumpsters. Savage said the Florida Building Code does not mandate construction dumpster containment; the board asked the county attorney to research whether a local code requirement could be added to require containment at construction sites and to make enforcement pathways clear.

Outcome

Commissioner Zalick moved to continue the hearing to April 15 so staff and MCBIA could meet and finalize language on exemptions and enforcement, and to allow the county attorney to draft enforcement options for contaminated construction dumpsters. Commissioner Curry seconded the motion. The board voted unanimously to continue the hearing to April 15 at 10:00 a.m.

Speakers

Dana Oleske — Chief Assistant County Attorney, Marion County
Mike Savage — Building Safety Director, Marion County
Denise Alexander — Executive Officer, Marion County Building Industry Association (MCBIA)
David Tillman — President, Marion County Building Industry Association
Commissioners: Chair Bryant; Vice Chair Zalick; Commissioners Curry, McLean, Stone

Clarifying details

\"Like‑for‑like\" definition: draft ordinance defines it as replacement of an existing improvement or component part with a component of the same type in the same location (example from the text: replace an electric water heater with another electric water heater in the same location).
Gazebo/exemption sizes: Oleske read the draft language as exempting \"up to a 68 square feet\" for prefabricated temporary structures; stakeholders at the hearing referenced a 168‑square‑foot threshold historically discussed by some groups.
Enforcement question: the building director said the Florida Building Code does not require on‑site dumpster containment; commissioners asked staff and county attorney for options to add enforceable local requirements and to define citation authority when household garbage is dumped in construction dumpsters.

Next steps

The board continued the hearing to April 15 to allow MCBIA and building‑safety staff to meet, and directed the county attorney to return with possible ordinance language or enforcement options addressing construction dumpster containment and any other concerns the industry raises.","A public hearing on proposed amendments to Marion County’s building‑permit exemptions and wind‑load language was continued to April 15 after the Marion County Building Industry Association asked for more time to work with staff on draft language and enforcement issues such as waste containment at construction sites.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6631612,"SMA Healthcare outlines expansion in Marion County: new residential beds, renovated crisis facility and proposed psychiatry residency",574,927000,1501000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2679733-def5c6eca901081ea5b3e0c61804883f&start=927&end=1501","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2679733-def5c6eca901081ea5b3e0c61804883f/thumbnail_927000.jpg","/articles/6631612/Marion-County/Florida/SMA-Healthcare-outlines-expansion-in-Marion-County-new-residential-beds-renovated-crisis-facility-and-proposed-psychiatry-residency","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6631612-e92354d0399775f000457f7535e55ee3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161155&Signature=Vy-kYQsQkETDbfIHnsbd5enrmn~Vxk~U02r6U2~UFlNVSN8bSomHLvVwIiMM-pNbeQKACtdNjtuSug9vYXgJEMO1wnf-f8QMGZGjv6JNhBxn55ZKIxBrcGFbeAfbQTVcSWWVkH6qKQkWbm3GmLL86RPYjOEKhd-LcTttvDSb1BHOQNpnloGbXqPJzYZmBY2b7Cc3MC8OJz2vIVaQLrw7nehHPh-dkeqv0r-aoOChwfn1S1MBpZmW7enhTuYm1P89RIL0u52a0gDMJnkaY7eExW79qkYsusWi~KDAmP5c5Z7mz9fwUk8h8MKtB4m4axak2vvTiZ6HGU2CGFDGrejehQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","SMA Healthcare representatives on Tuesday told the Marion County Board of County Commissioners that the private nonprofit is expanding its local treatment capacity and pursuing a psychiatry residency intended to recruit and retain psychiatrists in the region.

The presentation, given by Tory Gentoli of SMA Healthcare, described a new women’s residential substance‑use facility planned at 130 Seventh Loop in Marion Oaks that will include space for infants up to 1 year old and 45 beds. Gentoli said renovations began March 10 at the Sixtieth Avenue campus, and that the men’s residential capacity there would increase to about 60 beds, which together will bring Marion County’s residential substance‑use bed count above 100.

Why it matters: SMA is a safety‑net behavioral health provider serving several counties in the region. County commissioners and staff said expanded local capacity reduces travel and service gaps for residents seeking treatment, and could affect demand on county services such as emergency responders and social programs.

What SMA described

Gentoli said SMA, a 501(c)(3) formed from several prior mergers, acquired local behavioral health centers in 2021 and has since broadened its continuum of care to include prevention, outpatient, residential and crisis services. Gentoli said SMA received a criminal justice planning grant on Feb. 1 to develop a sequential intercept model with the University of South Florida to identify gaps at the intersection of behavioral health and criminal justice.

He described the Marion Oaks acquisition for the women’s residential program, the ongoing renovation of the acute care services building on Sixtieth Avenue and a partnership with Estella Byrd Whitman Community Health Center to provide primary care services at the Sixtieth Avenue campus. Gentoli said the Marion women’s residential program will allow more men’s beds at Sixtieth Avenue, and estimated the county will see more than 100 residential treatment beds for substance use after both projects are complete.

Psychiatry residency proposal

Gentoli and SMA staff also presented plans for a four‑year psychiatry graduate medical education (residency) program. He said SMA expects an Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) review on April 25 and hopes to begin the program July 1. SMA estimates 6–10 residents per year initially and expects 20–40 residents by the fourth year. Gentoli cited national shortages of psychiatrists and said residency programs commonly retain a large share of graduates where they train.

Commissioners’ response and next steps

Commissioners praised SMA’s work and asked staff to keep the board apprised of project timelines and any permitting or funding requests. Sheriff, fire or other county departments were not asked to take action during the presentation; SMA said it will announce ribbon‑cutting dates and additional community engagement as projects progress.

Speakers

Tory Gentoli — SMA presenter (SMA Healthcare representative)
Robin Lanier — SMA representative (in audience)
Ivan Kasimi — referenced as SMA CEO (absent; noted in presentation) [affiliation: business]
Megan Huff — Senior Director, Marion Residential Services (SMA; introduced)
Latrice — Director, Marion women's residential program (SMA; introduced)
Dr. Samuel — Regional medical director (SMA; introduced)

Clarifying details

Project addresses: Sixtieth Avenue campus (Ocala campus), Marion Oaks ALF building at 130 Seventh Loop (acquisition for women’s residential program).
Planned beds: women’s residential program — 45 beds (women and infants up to age 1); men’s residential capacity at Sixtieth Avenue — up to 60 beds; combined residential beds in Marion expected to exceed 100.
Psychiatry residency: 4‑year post‑graduate program; ACGME review scheduled April 25, anticipated start July 1; projected 6–10 residents per year in early years and 20–40 by year four.
Grant: Criminal justice planning grant awarded Feb. 1 to support a sequential intercept model with USF.

Ending

SMA asked commissioners and the public to expect further notices about ribbon cuttings, the accreditation decision for the residency program and community outreach. Commissioners thanked SMA and said staff will follow up on relevant permitting, public‑safety and site‑improvement matters as the projects move from planning to construction.","SMA Healthcare presented updates to the Marion County Board of County Commissioners on March 18, announcing a 45‑bed women’s residential substance‑use program, an expansion of men’s residential beds to about 60, renovation of an acute care services building and plans for a four‑year psychiatry residency program pending accreditation review.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6631598,"Board approves industrial rezoning for Gateway tire warehouse with conditions to preserve buffer and restrict outdoor storage",5425,6990000,12415000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2679733-def5c6eca901081ea5b3e0c61804883f&start=6990&end=12415","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2679733-def5c6eca901081ea5b3e0c61804883f/thumbnail_6990000.jpg","/articles/6631598/Marion-County/Florida/Board-approves-industrial-rezoning-for-Gateway-tire-warehouse-with-conditions-to-preserve-buffer-and-restrict-outdoor-storage","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6631598-3ed1ed15f2609d3042bcb74bd0a8f376/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161155&Signature=Kts2-U1O2mcBhIVQWvzzglq2Z3JkRxaMF7hDohJaof-LMFen1MhO7Tw4od2f1wsO3BuAcZR3xp9~9VRq3ZJigoU3lxJHAVu63CoSV9b8kMYV9156OSyIFWANZJybt60OO30Izg3hPvX32uzf8x7DK6IgAvx6rdjnHCna9EEO03cf8l0X54ST7SRSjcKXXZjQNov0eY3P~0TnDjxDqIBzlkkJnId2~zxG0Zl182N8MxFmt3aft0-vC4n~mRjG0oA6iCEDlgOZfrAC7lpahQ~~PcyXoQEiIJQfD-VcEONtF982aMhc3r9jTs0aMGi1BeY3D-9QZDllJnWgczMYZCx5vg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Marion County Board of County Commissioners on March 18 voted to rezone a multi‑acre property near the future Northwest 40 Ninth interchange to M‑2 (heavy industrial) for a wholesale tire distribution and logistics facility, subject to a set of voluntary restrictions offered by the developer.

Project specifics and developer commitments

The applicant — Gateway Properties — presented a plan for a roughly 300,000‑square‑foot indoor distribution building intended to store passenger, light‑truck and farm tires. Company representatives told the board that all tire stock would be stored inside the building and that outdoor storage would not be used because exposure to weather can void tire warranties and create other operational issues. The developer also proposed to preserve a broad band of existing trees along the property’s eastern edge and to install a security fence; staff and the applicant agreed a masonry wall would not be required provided the natural buffer is preserved and a security fence is maintained.

Why it mattered

The site is within a county commerce district near substantial warehouse and distribution uses and has frontage that provides convenient highway access. Staff found the proposed indoor use compatible with surrounding commercial and industrial developments but required conditions to preserve the vegetative buffer and prevent outdoor storage of tires.

Conditions and agreement

The applicant submitted a voluntary developer agreement that: (a) commits property successors to down‑zone the site to M‑1 if the property is sold to a non‑related entity that intends a different use, (b) confirms all product will be stored indoors, and (c) commits to preserve existing tree buffers along the east side of the site. County staff will finalize the agreement language and the chair will execute the document after staff review.

Outcome

Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the rezoning and PUD conditions. Staff will work with the applicant to finalize the developer agreement language and to address technical site permitting.

Speakers

Wesley Hayes — Gateway Properties representative (applicant)
Kenneth Odom — County staff (project presentation)

Clarifying details

Building size: proposed approximately 300,000 square feet for indoor storage and distribution.
Outdoor storage: applicant committed that tires will be stored inside the building; outdoor storage will not be used.
Buffer: applicant will preserve a continuous vegetative buffer along the east property line, estimated in places at 100–300 feet, and will install perimeter security fencing.

Ending

County staff will finalize the developer agreement and document the required buffers and indoor‑storage restriction in permitting records. The board’s approval allows the applicant to proceed to technical site plan review and permitting.","The county commission approved a rezoning to M‑2 heavy industrial for a proposal to build a large indoor tire distribution warehouse near the future Northwest 40 Ninth interchange. The developer agreed to store product inside, limit outdoor storage and preserve a wide vegetative buffer instead of constructing a masonry wall.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves Melody Preserve rezoning; developer to dedicate right‑of‑way and extend shared path

Commissioners continue proposed building‑permit exemptions after industry asks for more review

SMA Healthcare outlines expansion in Marion County: new residential beds, renovated crisis facility and proposed psychiatry residency

Board approves industrial rezoning for Gateway tire warehouse with conditions to preserve buffer and restrict outdoor storage